<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0G0HvU_0viGlqJN00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0G0HvU_0viGlqJN00" width="1100" height="733" ><figcaption>Loudoun Preservation Society President Allen Cochran urged those gathered for the 2024 awards ceremony to work to raise the expectations for the protection of the county’s historic resources. Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now</figcaption></figure>The 2024 Preservation Awards program shined a spotlight on those working to protect Loudoun’s historic landscape. The Sept. 19 event held at the Birkby House in Leesburg was a combined effort of the Loudoun Preservation Society and the Joint Architectural Review Board.The Preservation Society awarded six grants intended to provide “pump-priming” funding for historic preservation, rehabilitation, research, and education projects. It also honored Jeffrey Jackson as its 2024 Preservationist of the Year. The JARB, comprised of representatives from Loudoun County, Leesburg, Purcellville and Middleburg, presented awards to 14 property owners cited for explementary architectural work including for rehabilitations, restorations, additions, new construction, and signage. While highlighting these successes, Preservation Society President Allen Cochran said more should be done to project the county’s historic resources, especially in capital-rich Loudoun.He said it is not enough to put rural property into conservation easements and to find new uses for old farm buildings.“We need to be careful what we're calling preservation. We need to be careful what we're accepting as preservation,” he said. “When folks talk about a building, we’ll say “At least it's being fixed up.” Is it? Or are they stripping off all the original fabric and replacing it with cement siding and plastic trim? Are they taking down all the original details? Removing the materials, the methods, and, most importantly, the spirit in which it was constructed originally?”“When have we as preservations, as restorationists, as concerned citizens, as long-time residents become compliant with the least?” Cochran said. “… I'm just saying more can be done. Let's start focusing on more. Let's start focusing on being more demanding and wanting more and let's not settle for the least.” LPS raises grant money through its members and donors interested in encouraging hands-on preservation projects. Its annual grants, typically in the $500-$2,500 range, are intended to be “pump-priming” funding to stimulate community interest in funding a preservation project. Over the years, LPS grants have helped to promote dozens of historic preservation, rehabilitation, research, and education projects for local organizations, local government agencies, historic properties, and history museums.This year’s grants were awarded to:America's Routes, to support its website redesign and social media refresh to better promote preservation of rural/dirt roads in Loudoun. The Lucketts Ruritan Club, to help the Lucketts Community Center’s restoration of a 100-foot section of the historic Old Carolina Road on the property including adding interpretive signage.The Marshall Center at Dodona Manor, to support the restoration of the stone patio and pergola at George C. Marshall’s Leesburg home.Metropolitan Lodge No. 161, to continue with historically accurate window replacement at Masons’ hall and former Zion Baptist Church in Leesburg.Oatlands, to expand its "Reclaim Your Story" exhibit featuring the enslaved people who once worked at the plantation.The Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area, to help reprint the “Historical Loudoun County Scavenger Hunt” that is distributed to Loudoun students and is available at local libraries. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3GnRvy_0viGlqJN00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3GnRvy_0viGlqJN00" width="1100" height="733" ><figcaption>Loudoun Preservation Society President Allen Cochran stands with&nbsp;Jeffrey Jackson, who was named the 2024 Preservationist of the Year. Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now</figcaption></figure>Preservation steward Jeffrey Jackson was named Preservationist of the Year. For the past 15 years, he has led the effort to restore of the Grace Methodist Church in Lincoln. Built in 1885 by local freedmen, the structure now serves as Grace Multicultural Center.Jackson spent 33 years as an educator and coach in Loudoun and his parents and grandparents worshiped at the church. He said the restoration project has been a community partnership. “The friendships that I’ve made over that time have been enormous,” he said.The Joint Architectural Review Board presented awards for the additions at 208 Loudoun St. in Leesburg and 408 E. Washington St. in Middleburg; the rehabilitation at 40135 Main St. in Waterford; signage at Federal &amp; Black and Middleburg Books in Middleburg, 1. W. Market St. and St. James Episcopal Church in Leesburg; new construction of the Conservancy at the Birkby House and the Middleburg Town Hall; and the restoration of the China King façade and at 239 W. Market St. in Leesburg. The Waterford Mill and Hamilton Baptist Church were awarded Community Blue Ribbons highlighting significant restoration or preservation efforts nominated by the public.The Preservation Society also presented historic markers to nine buildings, a program that expands on Leesburg’s long tradition of mounting plaques to highlight historically significant structures. They were presented to Belmont Farm, Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Laurel Hill, Rosemont Farm, Douglass High School, Springfield Farm, Fieldstone Farm, Ashfield Farm, and the Rt. 9 Tenant House. </div></body>

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Awards Program Highlights Loudoun’s Top Preservation Efforts

The 2024 Preservation Awards program shined a spotlight on those working to protect Loudoun’s historic landscape. The Sept. 19 event held at the Birkby House in Leesburg was a combined effort of the Loudoun Preservation Society and the Joint Architectural Review Board. The Preservation Society awarded six grants intended...