Thank you to all who attended the New Canaan Preservation Alliance’s Twelfth Annual Preservation Awards Ceremony and reception on May 18th in Morrill Hall at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Each year Preservation Award winners are selected by a jury of board members of the Alliance. To be eligible for an Award, the property must be viewable from the street, as well-preserved buildings are considered a gift to the community and are appreciated by all who value New Canaan’s heritage.
The New Canaan Preservation Alliance’s was also celebrating its 18th year!
For 2025, three preservation awards were presented: Extown Farm, New Canaan’s “Poor Farm”, first constructed in 1777 by the St. John family and now owned by the Prutting family, was honored for continued preservation of this important New Canaan landmark; 50 Pine Street, one of a group of three industrial structures on Pine Street, constructed in 1950, was honored for the recent beautiful restoration and renovation by Gridiron Capital; and 96 Woods End Road residence, originally designed by noted architect Richard Henry Dana, Jr in 1930 and recently renovated and enlarged by Rick and Kate Aubrey.
In addition, Ashley Hayes of the New Canaan Land Trust gave an update on their planned renovation of the Grupes House.
But this year, the main event was a special Lifetime of Preservation Leadership award presented to Mimi Findlay for her dedication, perseverance, and exactitude in support of preservation in New Canaan, the State of Connecticut, and nationally. Slated as a roast/fete, many shared stories of Ms. Findlay’s advocacy for and influence on preservation, including spearheading the preservation and subsequent revival of Washington Street in South Norwalk and becoming the authority for the restoration of the interiors at Norwalk’s Lockwood Mathews Mansion. Among her many influential roles, Ms. Findlay also served on the Board of the Wilton Historical Society, the Advisory board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Board of the Victorian Society in America, the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Board, Chair of Board of Trustees for Preservation Connecticut, the Connecticut Council for the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, the Board of Trustees for Connecticut Preservation Action, Commissioner on New Canaan’s Planning & Zoning Commission, The Connecticut Governor’s Heritage Task Force, Board of Advisors for Weir Farms Heritage Trust, and Co-Founder and President of the New Canaan Preservation Alliance.
First Selectman Dionna Carlson presented a Proclamation honoring Ms. Findlay for her support of preservation in New Canaan, declaring May 18th Mimi Findlay Day in New Canaan. This was capped by State Representative Tom O’Dea presenting a Proclamation by the State of Connecticut in appreciation of her service declaring May 18th Mimi Findlay Day in the State of Connecticut.
Again, many thanks to all who attended!
New Canaan Preservation Alliance Board
