Published: May 22, 2008 03:17 pm      

New Albany's Face Lift awards return after 35-year layoff

Despite their appreciation for the past, members of the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission don’t plan on letting another 35 years go by before handing out Face Lift awards again.

On Wednesday, the commission presented ten awards to historic homeowners who had undertaken major renovations to their dwellings recently.

Once an annual event, 1963 marked the last time Face Lift awards had been given out. Floyd County Historian David Barksdale and Mayor Doug England pledged to restore the honors on a yearly basis.

Candidates are reviewed for the awards by the Face Lift Committee, but applications aren’t taken.

“Since we now have the mechanism of the local preservation commission, it just fits perfectly that we’re the entity that gives out these awards,” Barksdale said.

Barksdale said they have plenty of candidates already for next year’s awards, a way to recognize homeowners who do more than slap on vinyl siding to their historic house.

“It had to be more than maintenance, it had to be something that (made you say) ‘wow’,” said Commission and Face Lift committee member Vicky Nugent. “It’s a sense of pride.”

Improvements to the structures included restorations and replications of interior and exterior features. Nugent said it took nearly a year to decide on the winners, and the process has already begun for next year’s awards,

Nugent and Barksdale took turns reading descriptions of the improvements the award winners had made, then presenting the honorees with a plaque to place in front of their homes.

England addressed the group that gathered for the presentation, vowing his administration would support those who strive to maintain New Albany’s history by bettering their homes.

THE WINNERS

• Don Smith and Sid Spear, owners of the Isaac P. Smith House, located at 513 E. Main St. The house was built between 1848-1853.

• Julie and Chris Lewis, owners of the George H. Devol House, located at 601 E. Main St. The house was built in 1889.

• Ann Streckfus and Steve Brown, owners of the Newburger-Collins House, located at 620 E. Main St. The house was built in 1900.

• James and Liz Masterson, owners of the Frank Zinsmeister Carriage House, located at 414 E. 10th St. The house was built in 1912.

• Ted Fulmore, owner of the Coleman-Guthrie House, located at 838 Cedar Bough Place. The house was built in 1910.

• Jan Blake-Pearson and Joe Pearson, owners of the John F. Sheridan House, located at 1843 East Oak St. The house was built in 1892.

• Robyn and Greg Sekula, owners of the Herman L. Rockenbach House, located at 1811 Ekin Ave. The house was built in 1883.

• Bob and Jean Caesar, owners of the Switow Building, located at 314 Pearl St. The building was constructed in 1914.

• John Waggoner, owner of the Reibel House, located at 115 E. Market St. The house was built in 1887.

• Matthew and Jessica Bergman, owners of the Wilcox Block, located at 133-135 E. Market St. The homes were built in 1869.