The Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) has announced nine individuals and organizations have been named as recipients of the State Historic Preservation Officer’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation. The awards program, in its 19th year, recognizes persons, organizations, and projects that have achieved distinction in the field of historic preservation in Washington.

This awards program provides Washington State Historic Preservation Officer, Dr. Allyson Brooks, the opportunity to recognize persons, organizations, and projects that have achieved distinction in the field of historic preservation during National Historic Preservation Month in May.

This year’s winners include:

— Archaeologists Dr. Randall Schalk (Seattle); Dr. Michael Wilson (New Westminster, BC); and Stephen Kenady (Sedro-Woolley), who have provided a clearer picture of what life in the Pacific Northwest was like during the retreat of the last ice-age. Discover magazine recognized their findings as one of the most important scientific discoveries of 2008.

— Members of the Dayton Historical Depot Society are recognized for their work restoring an 1880 Victorian residence bequeathed to the society by the Boldman family in 1999. In addition to preserving the house itself, society members have documented and catalogued the vast collection of heirlooms left by the Boldman estate.

— Tacoma’s Blue Mouse Theater Associates, a group of more than a dozen friends and neighbors in Tacoma’s Proctor neighborhood who put up their own money to keep the theater alive when so many other single-screen community theaters have long since closed. The Blue Mouse Theater was first built during the silent movie era and is believed to be longest-continuously operating movie theater in the state.

— TV-Tacoma, the local community broadcast channel, which highlights the city’s rich heritage and architectural landmarks. TV-Tacoma has produced nearly two-dozen feature length historical programs; many of these with an appreciation for preserving local landmarks such as the colorful Java Jive.

— The career of US Army Corps of Engineers Historic Architect, Horace Foxall Jr. of Seattle will be recognized at this year’s awards. Foxall’s contributions to historic preservation are significant nationally as well as locally. Trained as an Architectural planner, Foxall is honored upon his retirement of over 30 years of service with the US Army Corps of Engineers. At the Corps, Foxall has compiled a distinguished career as leader of the National Center of Expertise for the Preservation of Historic Structures and Buildings. In addition to his role at the center, he is nationally recognized for his skill in preservation technology and training.

— The Everett Public Library and Evergreen Cemetery. Through painstaking research, the two have developed an innovative interpretive program that allows visitors to Everett’s Evergreen Cemetery to take a podcast journey of the grounds while learning the history of persons who were significant to Everett’s past.

— The Arctic Club Hotel in Seattle, which was built upon the fortunes of the city’s elite. The former office building known for its terra cotta walrus heads has been adaptively reused to become a destination boutique hotel.

— The parishioners of Saint James Cathedral in Vancouver, who raised the necessary funds to restore this 1884 Gothic building. As a result of their efforts, the edifice has been brought back to its original splendor.

— The Olson-Long Ranch near Conconnully. Recently, the Long family nominated their historic barn to the Washington Heritage Barn register. They have continued their preservation work by rehabilitating the rustic barn using the same techniques that ranchers used 100-years ago. In rescuing the barn for future generations, the Long family completely re-built the log and stone crib foundation walls.

Award recipients will be recognized during a special ceremony held in the Legislative Building on the historic State Capitol Campus, on May 5.