June 8, 2009


(Newport, RI)   The Preservation Society of Newport County will bestow awards, elect new trustees, and report to members at its Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 11.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue in Newport.   

All Preservation Society members are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting.

A highlight of the meeting will be the announcement of the Preservation Society's annual Laurel Awards, for volunteerism, artisanship, and horticulture:

Richard Guy Wilson, Ph.D, Commonwealth Professor's Chair of Architectural History, University of Virginia, will receive the Laurel Award for Volunteerism in recognition of his support and counsel in securing National Historic Landmark status for key Preservation Society properties, and for his vision in annually showcasing Newport's architectural heritage to international scholars as director of the Victorian Society Summer School. 

The Laurel Award for Arisanship will go to David Crocker of Crocker Architectural Sheet Metal Company, Inc., in recognition of the company's sympathetic and highly skilled achievements in the field of historic roof restoration at The Breakers and Chateau-sur-Mer. 

The Laurel Award for Horticulture will go to volunteers Denise Aguiar, Marilyn Archibald, Blake Billings, Brian Burns, Charles Gardner, Lillian Kimball, Sheila Lang, and Raymond Picozzi, for weeding, watering, and working tirelessly in the Preservation Society's many gardens.

A light reception on the terrace of Rosecliff will immediately follow the meeting.