Awards of Merit

Each May during National Historic Preservation Month, the Red Wing Heritage Preservation Commission presents its Awards of Merit to individuals, institutions, and businesses who have been involved in exceptional historic preservation projects around the community.

To submit a nomination for the Award of Merit, please email Steve Kohn, Staff Liaison to the Heritage Preservation Commission.

May 2022 Award Recipients

• City of Red Wing and Prairie Island Indian Community: For the design and reconstruction of the new welcome plaza at He Mni Can/Barn Bluff Regional Park. This project was financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society and the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment, with local matching funds from the City of Red Wing, the Evelyn Sweasy Charitable Trust Foundation, and Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant.  
• Doug Noreen and Liberty's Restaurant and Lounge: For the detailed reconstruction of a portion of the Italianate building that was destroyed in 2020 due to a collapse caused by an automobile crash.
• Lynn and Charles Brown: For the exterior restoration and porch reconstruction of their Gothic Revival style home at 827 West Third Street.
• Andrea and Chad Hanson: For the adaptive reuse of the upper level of 215 Bush Street by adding four new residential apartments.