The City of New Rochelle is seeking nominations of properties that exemplify the City’s significant historical and cultural heritage for the 2013 Heritage Awards. Nominations may be submitted by individuals, organizations, businesses or municipal representatives of properties for one or more of the following categories:
• Residences older than 50 years that are significant to New Rochelle’s history
• Public or quasi-public structures (e.g. house of worship, home of an organization, etc. ) older than 50 years that are significant to New Rochelle’s history
• Stellar restoration, residence
• Stellar restoration, adaptive reuse
• Home of nationally prominent individual
• Significant architect or architectural style
• Landscape or landscape feature (e.g. cemeteries, stone walls, signs; excepting gardens)

Guidelines and nomination forms are available on the City’s website www.newrochelleny.com or at the mayor’s office in City Hall. The deadline for nominations HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL 12.

“By raising public awareness about our past, we help ensure that historic charm remains a vital part of our future,” noted Mayor Noam Bramson. “The Heritage Awards help accomplish this goal by celebrating distinctive properties that reflect New Rochelle’s rich architectural history. And as this year marks the 325th Anniversary of our City’s founding, these awards are all the more meritorious.”

To date, over 20 properties have received local designation since the program’s inception in 2007. These gems relating New Rochelle’s remarkable past are residential, quasi-public and public buildings contributing to the continued preservation of the City’s historical and cultural heritage—the key factor in the City’s Heritage Award program initiated by the Heritage Task Force. The Heritage Task Force was organized by Mayor Bramson to help initiate projects that would increase awareness and appreciation of the community’s vast historical treasures. Comprised of residents qualified in historic preservation, local history and landscape design, the committee developed the Heritage Award program to recognize the scores of New Rochelle properties that are important to the community’s extraordinary 325 year history.