Shawn Evans (Fellow 2010-2011) receives joint honor from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). Below, the official press release from the National Trust.

 

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Owe’neh Bupingeh Preservation Project to Receive Honor Award

National Trust for Historic Preservation to present award at the 2014 National Preservation Conference

Posted November 13, 2014 | Contact [email protected] or 202-588-6141

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will present the Award for Federal Partnerships in Historic Preservation to Owe’neh Bupingeh Preservation Project, Owe’neh Bupingeh, New Mexico. This is one of 17 award winners to be honored by the National Trust during its 2014 National Preservation Conference this week in Savannah, Ga.

Ohkay Owingeh — the “Place of the Strong People” — was settled more than 700 years ago in the Southwest United States. For nearly all of that history, daily life as well as special ceremonial events revolved around Owe’neh Bupingeh, a series of plazas and attached adobe houses at the village center. Over time, many of the homes at this site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, had fallen into disrepair.

In 2005, the Ohkay Owingeh Tribe sought to rehabilitate the structures and bring life back to the historic plazas through the Owe’neh Bupingeh Preservation Project. The tribe rehabilitated 34 of the 60 homes, introducing modern amenities while respecting and honoring the traditions of the site. In order to ensure the tribal values of Ohkay Owingeh would prevail within federal standards, the Owe’neh Bupingeh preservation project brought together state and federal agencies to create a new model for cultural preservation. These efforts enabled preservation standards, contemporary conveniences, and cultural traditions to co-exist comfortably.

“Owe’neh Bupingeh shows that historic preservation can mean far more than saving buildings,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The solid partnership between the tribe and state and federal agencies ensured this project not only retained vital pieces of the Pueblo’s built heritage, but also helped sustain a way of life dating back several centuries.”

“This is the thirteenth time since 2002 that this joint award has been made by the Trust and the ACHP, and it again underscores the importance of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act in preserving our national heritage by providing a means to build partnerships with federal agencies on the local level,” said Milford Wayne Donaldson, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. “This innovative effort is an impressive success story that reflects credit upon all involved.”

The award will be presented at the Richard H. Driehaus National Preservation Awards ceremony in Savannah, Ga. today, November 13, 2014.

Co-recipients are: Ohkay Owingeh Tribe; Ohkay Owingeh Housing Authority, Atkin Olshin Schade Architects, Avanyu General Contracting, Concept Consulting Group, HUD Office of Native American Programs, LDK Consulting LLC, and New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority.

Sample tweet: Owe’neh Bupingeh Preservation Project wins NTHP/ACHP award for federal partnership in historic preservation.

The National Preservation Awards are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage. These efforts include citizen attempts to save and maintain important landmarks; companies and craftsmen whose work restores the richness of the past; the vision of public officials who support preservation projects and legislation in their communities; and educators and journalists who help Americans understand the value of preservation. The winners of the National Preservation Awards will appear online at www.PreservationNation.org/awards.

More information about this Section 106 Success Story may be found here: http://www.achp.gov/sec106_successes.html.