Nominations sought for preservation awards

Nominations for the annual W. Z. Hickman Awards for Historic Preservation, presented by the Independence Heritage Commission, are being accepted through March 22.

The awards were established in 2001 to salute the efforts of individuals and organizations displaying a commitment to historic preservation.

Projects and individuals may be nominated in:

•  Building(s) Preservation, Restoration, and Rehabilitation

•  Distinguished Service

• Distinguished Volunteer

• Visual Enchancements.

The first award recognizes efforts by an individual property owner or organization to maintain the integrity of a historic property.

The second recognizes an individual, group or organization demonstrating a commitment to preservation, while the third celebrates a volunteer who does the same.

The fourth recognizes those who — through landscaping, fences and signage — work to beautify the city’s historic landscape.

A list of guidelines and requirements, as well as a nomination form, can be found at www.independencemo.org/comdev/historicpreservation.aspx.

Award nominations can be mailed or delivered to: Historic Preservation Awards, Independence Heritage Commission, c/o City of Independence Historic Preservation Division, 111 E. Maple Ave., Independence, Mo, 64050.

The awards will be presented at the second Independence City Council meeting in April as part of the city’s annual observance of Historic Preservation Month.

This year’s nominations are being accepted amid ongoing dialogue in the Missouri General Assembly, where legislators are discussing lowering the amount of historic preservation tax credits the state could issue each year.

“I am hopeful that we do get some nominations for projects that have used tax credits, as that would show that the tax credits are not just used in Kansas City or St. Louis but used across the state,” said Heather Carpini, Independence historic preservation manager.

In 2002, the awards were given the name “The W. Z. Hickman Awards for Historic Preservation” in honor of the pioneering efforts of W. Z. Hickman, one of the city’s first historic preservationists.

An expert on local history, William Zere Hickman organized the “Old Plainsmen’s Association” in 1909 and assisted the efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution in marking the original path of the Santa Fe Trail. In 1916 Hickman led a citywide movement to preserve the 1827 Log Courthouse and in 1921 he authored the book “History of Jackson County.”

Last year the commission presented just one Hickman award. That went to Past to Present Research, a recent startup that presents its clients with personalized books about their historic properties.

For more information on the awards, call 816-325-7419.