Hillsborough Rewards Alliance Director, Architect for Preservation Work

The Hillsborough Historic District Commission has rewarded two people — a nonprofit director and an architect — for their work in preserving the town.

The commission and Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens presented the 2010 Preservation Awards on May 28 to:

• Elizabeth Read, executive director of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, for leadership in preservation.
• Architect Fred Stewart for excellence in compatible design.

The 2010 awards mark the first time that the commission has rewarded individual community members rather than specific projects. The commission — which was established in 1973 to identify, protect and preserve Hillsborough’s historic architectural resources and to educate the public about those resources — began giving preservation awards in 1992. May is National Preservation Month.

2010 Preservation Award: Leadership in Preservation
Recipient: Elizabeth Read

In presenting Read with the award, the Historic District Commission noted her dedication to advocating for preservation in Hillsborough and her extensive community involvement.

Read serves on various local advisory boards, including the Hillsborough Tourism Board, Hillsborough Rail Station Task Force, Hillsborough Wayfinding Task Force, Downtown Merchants Association, Orange County Visitors Bureau, Orange County Heritage Center Committee, and Cultural Center Committee.

She routinely attends Historic District Commission meetings and provides expert opinion on the appropriateness of proposals brought before the commission. She also regularly attends Board of Commissioners, Board of Adjustment and Planning Board meetings, where she provides input and acts as an advocate for preserving Hillsborough’s history and for creating a vibrant community.

This year, Read coordinated an eight-hour training session for members and staff of historic commissions across the region. The Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program was offered this month by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. 

Read was instrumental last fall in a discussion on public art at the Orange County Public Library’s new location. She helped advise the Historic District Commission on its role in the regulation of public art in the Historic District, as well as on ways public art may be considered compatible through the development of design guidelines specific to public art.

Read has a master’s degree in history and historic preservation from UNC Greensboro and a bachelor’s degree in American studies from UNC Chapel Hill. Prior to joining the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, she worked for Preservation North Carolina and the Orange County Historical Museum.

2010 Preservation Award: Excellence in Compatible Design
Recipient: Fred Stewart

In presenting Stewart with the award, the Historic District Commission pointed out some of the architect’s noteworthy projects in town: 

• Connor Residence, 127 W. Queen St.:
  • Addition to a circa 1938 house, including two dormers, a box bay, deck and steps, garden shed with screened porch and landscaping.
• Royce and Farrelly Residence, 225 W. King St.:
  • Rear, second-story addition with a screen porch that includes contemporary features on the Nathaniel Rochester House, circa early 19th century.
• Hill and Mack Residence, 176 W. King St.:
  • Replacement of a one-story addition with a two-story rear addition on the B.B. Forrest House, circa 1907. The project received the 2008 Preservation Award for an addition.

All the houses are contributing structures, meaning they were constructed prior to 1939 and have been identified in the historic inventory as contributing to the character of Hillsborough’s historic district.

The commission noted that Stewart consistently has brought forward proposals which achieve the intent of the design guidelines for the Historic District. He designs functional contemporary additions that are compatible with their historic structures and the district’s setting. The commission gave unanimous approval to both of the proposals that Stewart presented last year, including the planned addition to the Royce and Farrelly residence, one of the first contemporary large-scale additions to a historic structure.

“Fred Stewart has shown that he understands Hillsborough’s Historic District and the design guidelines by consistently designing excellent compatible architecture that adds to Hillsborough’s character and charm while retaining respect for its history,” the commission noted.

The Historic District encompasses more than two centuries of architectural resources, including examples of the many architectural styles from the broad time frame.

The Historic District Commission is a seven-member volunteer board that reviews applications for building modifications within the Historic District. A majority of members have specialized training or interest in architecture, preservation, archaeology, history or building methods.