Preserving the Rich History in Zebulon
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Honor Awards 

Each year Preservation Zebulon honors local citizens and/or the properties and their owners who are active in the preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of Zebulon, NC’s architectural environment. 

Merit Awards

Candidates for the Preservation Zebulon Merit Award are nominated by members and friends of Preservation Zebulon in one or more of the following categories:

  • Preservation: Significant participation in the rehabilitation, restoration, and/or adaptive use of structures, sites, historic districts, and/or streetscapes, that are sensitive to their historical integrity.
  • Leadership: Significant accomplishments in preservation that reflect sustained efforts, high standards, and integrity.
  • Promotion: Increasing visibility and/or awareness of Zebulon’s historic resources.
  • Philanthropy: Financial assistance to a preservation project through gifts of money or provisions of special financing.
  • Research: Significant research or writing published or otherwise, available to the public, that contributes or may contribute to preservation or restoration.

Presented since 2021, a maximum of two (2) Awards of Merit are given each year. These Awards of Merit give deserved recognition to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated a genuine commitment to historic preservation through extraordinary leadership, research, philanthropy, promotion, and/or significant participation in preservation.

Nomination Process

To apply, send email to info@preservationzebulon.org. Nominations will be received June 8 to Sept 1, 2024.

Name of Nominator: ____________________________________________
Nominator Address: ____________________________________________
Nominator Email: _________________________Phone: _______________
Name of person being nominated: ___________________________________
Nominee’s Address: ___________________________________________________
Nominee’s Email: _________________________ Phone: _______________

Why is this person deserving of the award?

How did their actions enhance preservation in the greater Zebulon area in the past two years?

For which category are you nominating this person?

Please provide any other details we should know.

The 2024 awards will be presented at our Zebulation Celebration on October 3 at Olde Raleigh Distillery’s Society Room.

Historic Rehabilitation Awards 

The Preservation Zebulon Historic Rehabilitation Award, Zebulon’s most prestigious preservation award, is presented to the owner(s) of historically significant properties around Zebulon (individually listed properties on the National Register of Historic Place, contributing structures within the Zebulon Historic District, and properties listed on the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office Study List) who have completed certified historic rehabilitation projects to their contributing structure. These property owner(s) best promote the heritage of Zebulon’s greatest architectural assets by exhibiting the highest qualities of historic preservation through adherence to national preservation and restoration guidelines. An Award is presented to each property owner who has successfully completed a certified historic rehabilitation project within the 12-month period prior to their receipt of the award.

Past Award Winners

2023

Merit Awards

 

— Tony Williamson —

Tony won the Merit Award for his efforts to bring history and preservation into our community through leadership of the Little River Historical Society, and for his leadership in getting the Zebulon Record digitized, and for his multi- year work to preserve the architectural integrity and beauty of the Horton Kimball house in Wakefield built by Sidney Horton, which he and his wife bought in 2017.

–Tom Hendrickson  —

The renovation to the R. J. Whitley Building at 113 N. Arendell Avenue, erected in 1917 and contributing to the National Register Historic District, was for 4,750 square feet of heated floor space in the core of Downtown Zebulon’s Business Core. This renovation included a new roof, restoring the storefront, pressed tin ceiling, wood flooring, freight elevator and installing a new sub floor. The second floor was repurposed for office space and existing plaster walls on both floors were restored. ADA upgrades were made, new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems were installed to reflect the original architecture. Also the window and doorway casings were preserved and new energy efficient and historically appropriate windows were installed. Original masonry and decorative elements were cleaned, preserved, and protected. The project provides space for the Creative Cup coffee shop, offices, gathering space and art classes downtown and serves a need as a significant gathering spot in the downtown corridor.

L to R – Tom Hendrickson and Tony Williamson accept awards from Preservation Zebulon Executive Director at the annual Zebulation event on Nov. 2 in Zebulon.

2022

Merit Awards

— Jim and Rebecca Perry —

PRESERVATION ZEBULON

MERIT AWARD

Presented to

Jim and Rebecca Perry

Jim and Rebecca Perry won a Merit award for Preservation and Leadership. Jim and Becky bought the land surrounding his grandfather’s store near N.C. 96 at the corner of Lizard Lick and Fowler Roads on the outskirts of Zebulon and moved several agricultural buildings that used to belong on Jim’s grandfather’s farm to create a cohesive farm compound. They restored the Walter A. Perry general store c. early 1900s, and filled it with memorabilia, advertising, and products from 1900 – 1960. They have also restored the outdoor kitchen, well, and several farm buildings, and are currently in the process of restoring the farmhouse. You can read more about this restoration project here: https://preservationzebulon.org/walter-perry-store/

–Nelle Estes Carroll  —

PRESERVATION ZEBULON

MERIT AWARD

Presented to

Nelle Estes Carroll

Nelle Estes Carroll won a Merit award for Philanthropy and Promotion. Whitley Galleries under Nelle Carroll’s leadership was the first business sponsor to support PZ. This business opened up its showroom for PZ to have its first Annual Meeting in 2018. Every year, they have renewed their sponsorship of PZ’s efforts. Inside the store, Whitley Galleries maintained a historical display of photos of the Whitley family, long time employees and different angles of the store through the years, educating the public about this historic resource that had been open for more than 100 years. While Whitley Galleries has closed, the mark of this family on the Town is significant since the formation of Zebulon Supply Company in 1909 and the erection of the corner building in 1919 by RJ Whitley. Read more about the Whitley Galleries here: https://preservationzebulon.org/history-of-whitley-furniture-galleries/

Historic Rehabilitation Award

  • Coming in 2022