The inspired restoration of a modernist church, a professional who represents the Narragansett Indian Tribe in preservation matters, the family effort to refurbish a classic 1950s diner, a neighborhood project that led to statewide protection of properties in historic districts—these are some of the people and projects that will be honored at the Preservation Celebration on Thursday, October 29 at 5:30pm at Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street in Pawtucket. Together, Preserve Rhode Island and RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission will present 17 Rhody Awards to recognize people and projects that contribute to the preservation of Rhode Island’s historic places. Mayor James E. Doyle will welcome the audience to Pawtucket and make brief remarks about the 20th anniversary of the city’s Historic District Commission.

The Rhody Awards, chosen by Preserve Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission from nominations by the public, honor individuals, organizations, and projects for their contributions to the preservation of Rhode Island’s historic resources. Awards will be presented in the categories of Public Works, Stewardship, Projects, Homeowner Projects, and Historic Rehab Tax Credit Projects. PRI and RIHPHC also bestow four special honors, for Volunteer Service, Professional Leadership, Public Service, and Artisan.

The 2009 winners are:

• Antoinette F. Downing Volunteer Service Award to architect Frederick Love for his expertise and understanding in leading the Pawtucket Historic District Commission for the past 20 years.

• Frederick C. Williamson Professional Leadership Award to Tribal Historic Preservation Officer John B. Brown III for his efforts to preserve and protect places that are important in the history and living traditions of the Narragansett Indian Tribe.

• John H. Chafee Public Service Award to Sen. Paul V. Jabour, Rep. Stephen M. Costantino, Councilman John J. Lombardi, the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, and Jessica Jennings for translating grass-roots neighborhood advocacy into city and state legislation to protect the visual integrity of historic districts when it comes to the installation of gas meters and regulators.

• Stephen J. Tyson Sr. Artisan Award to Robert E. Donnell for his professional expertise and innate common sense in achieving the highest-caliber exterior and interior restoration projects

• Stewardship Award to RI-Office of Library and Information Services for implementing Protecting the Past-RI, a statewide disaster planning effort to safeguard priceless heritage collections.

• Homeowner Awards to the Deininger family for the stunning restoration of Seven Oaks (1873) in Bristol and to Nick Oldenburg and Paul Carter for the high-quality restoration of the Joseph Cooke House (1819) in Providence.

• Project Award to RI-Department of Transportation, PAL, and the Cranston City Planning Department for the careful study, recovery, and reburial of 71 individuals from the old State Farm Cemetery in Cranston.

• Project Award to the Sanford and Smith families for their dedication to returning the Star Diner in East Providence to its 1951 glory.

• Project Award to the Newport Restoration Foundation for their dramatic recovery and painstaking restoration of the Almy-Cory House in Portsmouth.

• Project Award to Portsmouth Abbey School for the inspired restoration of a modern masterpiece, the Chapel of St. Gregory the Great.

• Public Works Awards to the City of Providence for the rehabilitation of the Fox Point Bathhouse for reuse as a school library and community meeting place and for the green rehabilitation of the Nathan Bishop Middle School as a 21st-century learning facility.

• Historic Rehab Tax Credit Project Awards to the latest crop of outstanding rehabs made possible by RI’s Historic Preservation Investment Tax Credit Program: Rumford Center (East Providence); Aquidneck Mill at the International Yacht Restoration School (Newport); Greystone Lofts (North Providence); and Hampton Inn and Suites (Providence)

The awards presentation is the highlight of the Preservation Celebration, to take place on October 29 from 5:30 to 8:30pm at historic Hope Artiste Village in the restored Hope Webbing industrial complex at 1005 Main Street in Pawtucket. The Preservation Celebration is open to the public and features local beverages and delicious appetizers, a raffle, and tours of Hope Artiste Village. Tickets cost $20 at the door. To reserve a ticket or request more information, call (401)272-5101 or visit the website: www.preserveri.org.