Contributed by The Historic Columbia Foundation

The Historic Columbia Foundation is pleased to announce the Annual Preservation Award competition. Please help us recognize the efforts of those in the community who preserve our heritage by nominating any deserving people and projects that meet the criteria in the following categories:

Preservation/Restoration

Nominations in this category will be projects of historical significance restored to their original design. An example might be a retail store, in an historic district, which continues to sell to the general public.

Adaptive Reuse

Projects in this category will have been restored, incorporating many of the original elements, while incorporating elements that allow the structure to be used for new functions. An example would be an old warehouse now being used as a restaurant.

New Construction in an Historic Context

Nominations in this category will be new buildings placed in an historic district or adjacent to historic structures that complement the historic context.

Preservation Leadership

Awards in this category will recognize an individual, governmental agency, and/or community or neighborhood association who contributed to the advancement of preservation in the region.

Nominations should be limited to projects completed in the last five years and to the Greater Columbia area of South Carolina. Only completed projects will be considered. Awards will be presented to recipients at Historic Columbia's third annual Preservation Luncheon May 3, 2007.

Nominations are due by March 19. Forms are located at www.historiccolumbia.org or by contacting Erica Taylor at 803.252.1770, ext. 29 or etaylor@historiccolumbia.org.

Historic Columbia was founded in 1961 by a group of preservationists determined to save the Ainsley Hall House, known today as the Robert Mills House. More than four decades later Historic Columbia now manages four historic house museums and their associated artifacts. Through programs of advocacy, education and preservation, Historic Columbia protects, supports and nurtures the historical and cultural heritage of Columbia, South Carolina. For more information, please visit www.historiccolumbia.org .