Local projects win preservation awards

The multiyear transformation of an asbestos-laced abandoned boiler house into a green office complex in Ambler, the installation of a Horace Trumbauer-designed ceiling for the Lincoln Ballroom of the Union League on Broad Street, and the conversion of the deteriorating Nugent Home for Baptists in Germantown into apartments were among winners of statewide historic-preservation awards announced Thursday.

Preservation Pennsylvania, an educational and advocacy group in Harrisburg, said this year's winners of its annual awards represented the fruits of patience and cooperation.

"Partnerships, cooperation, and taking the long-term view are themes that run through many of this year's projects," said Mindy Crawford, the group's executive director.

Other Philadelphia-area projects cited were the renovation of the Ruth L. Bennett Home for Women and Girls and the Wilson Memorial Nursery in Chester; renovation of the elephant house at the Philadelphia Zoo into KidZooU; the Rittenhouse Square centennial restoration; and creation of the Perk History app by the Perkasie Historical Society for use in schools and in walking tours of Bucks County.

Paul M. Heberling, who established the anthropology department at Juniata College nearly 60 years ago and who launched summer field schools at archaeological sites throughout the Juniata Valley, was named winner of the F. Otto Haas Award for his contributions to preservation.

The awards will be presented Sept. 26 at a ceremony at Juniata College in Huntingdon.