Preservation Long Island hosted an awards ceremony and reception on January 25, 2025 to honor individuals and organizations who have exemplified excellence in their efforts to preserve their community’s valuable historic resources.
Held at Preservation Long Island’s headquarters gallery in the Old Methodist Church in Cold Spring Harbor, the evening brought together honorees and guests for a celebration of preservation excellence. Attendees enjoyed live jazz music, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres while viewing historic paintings, artifacts, and antique furniture from Preservation Long Island’s permanent collection.
Preservation Long Island Board President Michelle Elliott Gokey welcomed guests and provided an overview of the biennial Preservation Awards that recognize extraordinary achievement in historic preservation across Long Island. Preservation Long Island’s Executive Director, Jackie Powers, emphasized the significance of the awards and acknowledged the public officials in attendance, including Suffolk County Legislators Steven Englebright and Robert Trotta (both 2024 awardees), Huntington Councilman Dr. Dave Bennardo, Michelle McCarthy, Chief of Staff to Huntington Town Supervisor Edmund Smyth and Kevin Stuessi, Mayor of Greenport.
During the ceremony on January 25, 2025, guest presenters awarded certificates to the recipients of Preservation Long Island’s 2024 Preservation Awards and the 2024 Howard C. Sherwood Award:
Organizational Excellence Award: Suffolk County for the Preservation of Owl Hill
Presented by Tara Cubie, Preservation Director, Preservation Long Island.
Suffolk County was recognized for preserving Owl Hill, a 1907 mansion and 27 acres of open space in Fort Salonga, protecting it from redevelopment. Legislator Robert Trotta accepted the award on behalf of the county and County Executive Romaine. Also in attendance was Richard Martin, Suffolk County Parks Department Director of Historic Services. Independent historian Corey Geske was acknowledged for identifying the home’s renowned architect.
Project Excellence Award: The Church, Sag Harbor
Presented by Jeremy Dennis, Lead Artist & President, Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio.
Artists April Gornick & Eric Fischl, along with Lee Skolnick & Jo Ann Secor of Skolnick Architecture, were honored for their leadership in transforming a 19th-century Methodist church into a vibrant arts and cultural hub. The award also recognized the site’s landscape design and amphitheater by renowned landscape designer Ed Hollander, accepted on his behalf by Jackie Powers.
Project Excellence Award: The Hawkins-Elzon House Restoration
Presented by Zachary Studenroth, Architecture and Preservation Consultant.
The Safina Center received recognition for restoring the Hawkins-Elzon House, which now serves as the nonprofit’s headquarters. The award was presented to Carl Safina, founder of the Safina Center, and New York State Legislator Steven Englebright, both in attendance.
Project Excellence Award: Mattituck Creek Tide Mill
Presented by Tara Cubie.
The restoration of the historic Mattituck Creek Tide Mill was celebrated, with the award presented to Anthony Martignetti, a restauranteur, author, and designer. The careful restoration, undertaken with contractor Glenn Heidtmann of Heidtmann and Sons, was conducted under guidance from the New York State Historic Preservation Office. The Old Mill is set to open as a restaurant in Spring 2025.
Howard Sherwood Award for Preservation Advocacy: Brian Pinnola (Posthumous)
Presented by Architect Paul Bentel.
The evening concluded with a special tribute to Brian Pinnola, a devoted advocate for historic preservation, former board member of Preservation Long Island, and past president of The Garden City Historical Society. Brian’s lifelong dedication left a lasting impact on the community. The award was accepted in his honor by his partner, Maureen Soltren.
For more information about the awardees, visit the 2024 Preservation Awards webpage: https://preservationlongisland.org/2024awards/
About Preservation Long Island
Preservation Long Island is the not-for-profit regional advocate for historic preservation on Long Island. Our mission is to celebrate and preserve Long Island’s diverse cultural and architectural heritage through advocacy, education, and stewardship of historic sites and collections.
https://preservationlongisland.org/
Preservation Long Island’s preservation advocacy services support the work of individuals and our local partners in communities across the region. We offer consultation and strategic guidance for those seeking help with local preservation projects, including historic resource surveys, local landmark designation, National Register listing, and restoration or adaptive reuse of historic buildings.
Preservation Long Island also maintains and interprets four historic sites, including the collections housed within each:
- Joseph Lloyd Manor, Lloyd Harbor
- Custom House, Sag Harbor
- Sherwood-Jayne Farm, Setauket
- Old Methodist Church and Exhibition Gallery, Cold Spring Harbor