2025 west virginia historic preservation awards recipients

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the state’s historic places and properties, announced the recipients of the 2025 West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards at its annual awards banquet on Friday, May 2, at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.  These awards recognize outstanding contributions to historic preservation throughout the Mountain State. The banquet was part of the West Virginia Historic Preservation Conference held May 1 - 3, where preservation advocates gathered from throughout the state and region. Other activities included educational sessions, hands-on trades demonstrations, and tours of historic sites. The conference welcomed speakers from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street America, and others.
 
2025 West Virginia Historic Preservation Award Recipients {Detailed recipient bios and project details included below.}

• Adaptive Reuse Award – Bluefield Arts & Revitalization Corporation, for the Granada Theater & the Raleigh Street Cinemas and Education Center (Bluefield)
• Most Significant Save of an Endangered Property Award – Jason Bradcovich & Larry Brothers, for the Kraft House (Wheeling)
• Excellent AmeriCorps Award – Sharon David (Wheeling)
• Archaeology Award – Robert Sheets, Fort Warwick Project (Pocahontas County)
• Betty “Snookie” Nutting Preservation Persistence Award – Middleway Conservancy & Protect Middleway (Jefferson County)
• Betty “Snookie” Nutting Preservation Persistence Award – Lisa Badia (Wheeling)
• Michael Gioulis Downtown Preservation Award – Chris Rizer (Point Pleasant)
• Bob Weir Craftsperson Award – Roger Edwards (Wheeling)
• Rodney Collins Preservation Achievement Award – Senator Ryan Weld (Wellsburg)
• Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award – Jeanne Finstein (Wheeling)

Each year, the Alliance presents two Preservation Persistence Awards to recognize individuals and organizations demonstrating extraordinary dedication to historic preservation. This year, the award was renamed in honor of Betty "Snookie" Woods Nutting of Wheeling, a trailblazer in the field whose tireless efforts have left a lasting impact. Snookie served as President of PAWV, was named a Distinguished West Virginian, advised the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and received the Dr. Emory Kemp Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. She was instrumental in saving 22 buildings in Wheeling, including properties on Monroe Street East, Chapline Street Row, and in Victorian North Wheeling, as well as contributing to the restoration of the iconic Wheeling Suspension Bridge. She established a legacy of persistence, dedication, and achievement that serves as a model for today’s preservationists, Mrs. Nutting was with us at this year’s awards banquet.

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