Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award Archives

29Nov 2021 by Leisa

Traveling through Scenic West Virginia. . .

House Portraits, Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News

The most abandoned state in the nation . . .and the restoration of a 200-year-old stone home. West Virginia is one of the nation’s most scenic states, known for beautiful wooded mountains and dramatic falling rivers. The state is also known for Civil War action and coal mining. It is home to grand resorts, a Cass Gilbert designed capitol and gorgeous mansions built during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. West Virginia was originally part of the Virginia Colony established by England in 1606. In 1607 the first settlement of Jamestown was formed and pioneers arrived to make their home in eastern Virginia. West Virginia, however, remained the frontier for some time and West Virginians retain that resilient pioneer spirit today. Abandoned Buildings of West Virginia But despite its…

13Sep 2021 by Leisa

Latest Historic Preservation Award – Grand Rapids MI

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News

Historic Preservation Heroes: Tom and Sue Leonard My latest Historic Preservation Award goes to a Grand Rapids couple who saved their beautiful Queen Ann home from decay and potential demolition. Built in 1883, it also happens to be the home that graces the cover of my book, Hand Painted Homes: An Artist's Pen and Watercolor Journey Across America. I established the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award in 2013 and have presenting the award to outstanding individuals around the country who save beautiful historic structures from the wrecking ball and bring them back to life. The award is an original painting of the saved project. However, when I chose this home for my cover, I had no idea of the heartwarming story behind the restoration of 231 James St SE. It…

07May 2019 by Leisa

Meet my Latest Historic Preservation Hero!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News

My latest recipient of the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award is . . . Mary Beth Grey of Grand Rapids MI for her historic renovation of 268 Paris Ave SE, Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids, MI Awarded on a beautiful spring day on this now open and welcoming porch, friends, neighbors and preservation supporters gathered to honor Mary Beth and her latest restoration project. Since starting her home renovation business 2 1/2 years ago, Mary Beth has brought eight historic homes back to life in the greater Grand Rapids area. The majority have been in the City of East Grand Rapids, however this is her first Heritage Hill home and her most recent labor of love. It's also her most extensive project to date. Mary has a very hands on approach…

28Apr 2019 by Leisa

Announcing my Grand Rapid MI Historic Preservation Awardee!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News

Meet my Grand Rapids MI Preservation Hero! INVITATION TO THE COMMUNITY I will be presenting my next Historic Preservation Award to East Grand Rapids resident Mary Beth Grey for her historic renovation of 268 Paris Ave SE, Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids Since starting her home renovation business 2 1/2 years ago, Mary Beth has brought eight historic homes back to life in the greater Grand Rapids area. The majority have been in the City of East Grand Rapids, however this is her first Heritage Hill home and her most recent labor of love. It's also her most extensive project to date. Mary has a very hands on approach with all her projects and it took her several months to bring this beautiful Victorian to a state that is now close to…

05Dec 2018 by Leisa

Historic Preservation Event and my first NZ recipient!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News

Historic Preservation Hero - James Blackburne! In additional to spending valuable time with my family, I decided to celebrate my recent visit to New Zealand with the presentation of my Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award to an extremely deserving individual. While national in scope, James Blackburne just happens to be based in the city of Gisborne where my family lives. James is an architect whose passion is to see members of the community engaged in architectural preservation on all levels. A Gisborne native, he is the President of Historic Places Aotearoa Inc. and is the Chairman of Historic Places Tairawhiti Inc. and Tairawhiti Heritage Trust. He is a strong advocate for the protection and restoration of heritage buildings and has taken a leading role in a number of stellar preservation…

06Nov 2018 by Leisa

My next award goes to the first New Zealand recipient!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award

To be presented to Historic Preservation Hero James Blackburne James is an architect whose passion is to see members of the community engaged in architectural preservation on all levels. A Gisborne native, he is the President of Historic Places Aotearoa Inc. and is the Chairman of Historic Places Tairawhiti Inc. and Tairawhiti Heritage Trust. He is a strong advocate for the protection and restoration of heritage buildings and has taken a leading role in a number of stellar preservation projects such as the Acton Estate, St Mary’s and Toko Toru Tapa Churches. He is currently working on restoring, the former Plunket Building in Gisborne, as well as the historic Potatu, which is a family heritage project. The award is an original painting of one of the restored projects which will…

08Oct 2017 by Leisa

My 10th Historic Preservation Award – Presented in St. Louis!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award

Portrait of a home - from decayed abandonment to a brand new life! My 10th award goes to . . . Ray Simon and Mel Pashea of St. Louis for their stellar actions to save and fully restore two pre-Civil War cottages that had been abandoned for over a decade. [caption id="attachment_8255" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The unveiling of the St. Louis Award painting[/caption] Ray Simon, an architect and noted rehabber in Benton Park, had the vision to rescue the two crumbling relics on Missouri Ave. Together with partner Mel, they transformed the fading structures into what is often described as one of the coolest properties in the neighborhood. I was honored to have St Louis Ninth Ward Alderman Dan Guenther speak to the gathering of friends and neighbors and relate stories…

18Jun 2017 by Leisa

NEWSFLASH! Meet my latest historic preservation hero!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News

Presentation of my award in Tarpon Springs, Florida. I am currently in Florida and in travel mode, while working on new house portrait subjects for my coffee table book. I soon discovered that the most unique thing about Florida architecture is the color palette – from soft coastal pastels to striking bursts of orange, blue and gold. [caption id="attachment_7990" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Florida Beach Cottages[/caption] I was introduced to the laid back coastal city of Tarpon Springs by a friend who lives there. Not only is it the most historic city in the state but Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US! And being that I love Greece ... I decided to look further. In the early 1900’s sponge diving was introduced to…

11May 2017 by Leisa

Helping to save the historic Washington Canoe Club!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award, News

My painting of this Potomac architectural treasure! I recently had the honor of being commissioned to do a painting of the famous Washington Canoe Club. Nestled in a wooded setting on the shores of the Potomac River, the Club is part of the Georgetown neighborhood. I thought you might be interested in seeing this painting and in learning a little about the Club’s rich history, which I just became aware of after reading the Washington Canoe Club's website. I further learned that the Club is in the midst of a historic effort to restore their boathouse, which has twice been identified by the DC Preservation League in its annual list of “Endangered Places.” I have decided to help this vital cause. I am selling high quality prints of this original painting…

14Jul 2015 by Leisa

My Historic Preservation Award goes to Buster’s Cafe in South Pasadena!

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award

It's a family affair. . . Friends and family gathered at the cafe for this award presentation. My awardees were the three co-owners of the popular Busters Ice-cream and Coffee in South Pasadena, Renee and Colette Richards and Monica Barry. On hand were Mayor Robert Joe and members of the extended Richards family, including matriarch Clara Richards and the son of co-owner Monica Barry, Amedee Barry, whose nick-name Buster inspired the cafe's name. This award, an original painting of Buster's corner, is my seventh award and the second that I have presented in California. I instituted the Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award two years ago in order to give back to dedicated home owners and citizens who have set a stellar example of historic preservation through their efforts, skills or craftsmanship with regard…