Foundation for Historical Louisiana’s Summer Night of Heritage Awards atop Historic Hilton Hotel

Underwritten by Stone Pigman Walter Wittmann LLC

The Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL) Board of Directors and event underwriters, Stone Pigman Walter Wittmann LLC, will host the 34th annual FHL Preservation Awards dinner, Thursday evening, July 22, at the Hilton Capitol Center in downtown Baton Rouge.  Reserved tickets may be obtained by calling Foundation headquarters at 225.387.2464. 

The festive event will feature and honor individuals and entities named as the prestigious 2010 Preservation Award recipients. FHL has bestowed these awards since 1976 and an illustrious roster of winners many be viewed at www.fhl.org. Those chosen this year by the FHL Preservation Awards Committee headed up by Mark Upton, board chairman, are:

• Lenore Feeney and Randy Walsh, visionaries and designers of the popular cemetery drama, “Magnolia’s Memories”-- Feeney and Walsh created the remarkable series of heritage dramas within Historic Magnolia Cemetery, bringing to life individuals whose struggles, hardships, and victories shaped early Baton Rouge. For the last six years, the dramatic productions provided entertainment and education of local history through dynamic and colorful interpretive mini-biographies at the true grave sites of the individuals. The productions also included unusual ballads and instrumentals from area musicians chosen and choreographed by Walsh. In the six productions, the lives of over 35 characters featuring more than 150 local award-winning performers ad actors were shared with the community. Additionally, Feeney was chair of the FHL Board of Directors 2007-2009 after many years of positions within the organization.

• Christina Vella of New Orleans, teacher, author and scholar--Christina Vella is a writer, historian, and adjunct professor at Tulane University in New Orleans. Her first book, Intimate Enemies: The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba, was published by Louisiana State University Press in 1997 and has received numerous awards. It chronicles the life and career of Micaela Almonester, the woman responsible for building the Embassy of the United States in Paris and the Pontalba Buildings in New Orleans. When Intimate Enemies: The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba was chosen for the cover of the New York Times Book Review, Vella began receiving lecture invitations which increased as the biography was selected by Publishers Weekly, the New York Times, and Times-Picayune for their "Best Books of 1997" lists. A professor of history for over twenty years, Vella now devotes most of her time to writing and lecturing, including presenting to FHL audiences over the years. She frequently serves as a consultant and writer for the U.S. Department of State.

• Davis Rhorer, Executive Director of the Downtown Development District, and Van Mayhall, Jr. Commission Chairman, the DDD Commissioners along with the DDD staff for their efforts and advocacy to create a Third Street Historic District, listed in 2010 on the National Register of Historic Places. This new historic district includes 43 downtown properties, and creates creative tax incentives for the properties to be developed, preserved, and saved for future generations. FHL applauds the DDD for recognizing the economic power of preservation over its many years of existence.

• James LeBlanc, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections and Andy Simon, Baton Rouge restoration contractor, for the original wood window restoration project of the current DPS&C building, formerly the Louisiana Institute for the Deaf on Mayflower Street with buildings dating back to the 1930s. At LeBlanc’s request, Simon created a training program called “Project for Good” with two goals in mind: to preserve and maintain the integrity and building’s 413 wooden windows and to train offenders in a technical skilled trade. Working side by side with the trustees, Simon taught the trustees to disassemble and reassemble the cypress double hung sash windows. The windows were restored for $68,000. This was not only a significant savings to replacing the windows, but the outcome of the work completed is invaluable to the history of this site and the integrity of the buildings. With such success, LeBlanc anticipates continuing this project on the other buildings at this site and FHL hopes on other state buildings.

• LSU Press on its 75th anniversary and its record of volumes related to Louisiana’s heritage--Representing the LSU Press in receiving the award will be MaryKatherine Callaway, Editor. Since 1935, LSU Press has worked to preserve the culture and history of Louisiana by publishing books about our state that educate and enlighten readers. From Local Government in Louisiana by R. L. Carleton (1937)to George Lowry’s classic Louisiana Birds (1958) and from Marsh Mission by C. C. Lockwood and Rhea Gary (2005)to Archaeology of Louisiana, edited by Mark A. Rees (2010), the LSU Press continues to strive to publish books that matter--for readers today and for future generations. Recently the LSU Press published Danny Heitman’s book, A Summer of Birds: John James Audubon at Oakley House.

• The Roosevelt Hotel of New Orleans for restoration excellence and re-opening in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina--The revered Roosevelt Hotel is an important gem in Louisiana’s history, known for its luxury accommodations, entertainment and dining. The historic downtown New Orleans property, shuttered since Hurrican Katrina, originally opened in 1893 as the Grunewald. In 1923 it was rebranded The Roosevelt in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt and retained its distinctive moniker until the hotel changed hands in 1965 and was renamed The Fairmount. The recent renovation, which includes every detail from restored chandeliers to first class accommodations, cost $170 million, making the project one of the largest private investments in downtown New Orleans since Katrina. Key renovations are the famed Blue Room and the legendary Sazerac Bar. The restoration architect was Steven J. Finegan Architects of New Orleans and construction manager was Brice Building Company of Metairie. The hotel is in the Waldorf Astoria Collection and is a member of Hilton’s Luxury and Lifestyle Brands.

• As is tradition the Foundation for Historical Louisiana Volunteer Extraordinaire of the year award will be announced that evening as well.

The Foundation for Historical Louisiana Board wishes to gratefully acknowledge its underwriter and notes this quote: “Stone Pigman is honored to sponsor the 2010 FHL Preservation Awards dinner. Through the years, we have worked with many real estate clients and lenders on historic renovation projects throughout Louisiana. We even conducted our own historic renovation on our New Orleans law office building. From these experiences, and the experiences of our members, such as Doug Cochran who serves on the Board of FHL, we have come to understand that historic preservation is as vital to Louisiana’s economy and Louisianans’ quality of life. Our cultural heritage and the historic charm of our cities can attract not only visitors, but can also help attract businesses. Those businesses can in turn lift our economy and help us kepp our best and brightest here at home. We salute FHL and its 2010 awards recipients for their work in the field of historic preservation,” said Scott Whittaker, Business Division, Stone Pigman Walther, Wittmann, LLC.

Reserved tickets for the event are $75 per person for FHL members and $85 for guests. A reservation for a table of ten is $750. The event will be held in the 10th floor ballroom of the Hilton Capitol Center, formerly the historic Heidelberg Hotel, a building FHL championed for many years through many Baton Rouge mayors and owners until the National Register landmark was saved by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation through its Commercial Properties Trust Division.

Social hour with a cash bar will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner and the program will follow at 7 p.m. with writer, historian, and preservationist Leo Honeycutt as Master of Ceremonies. The full menu features filet mignon and shrimp, salad, vegetable accompaniments, dessert. Wine, beer, and mixed drinks will be available throughout the evening per guests’ choice. The dress is cocktail attire.

View Full Color Program!