HCA Wins Prestigious National Award for "Saving Our Delaware Capitols" Project
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The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has announced that HCA is a recipient of the 2008 Award of Merit from the AASLH Leadership in History Awards for the "Saving Our Delaware Capitols" project. The project spotlighted HCA's and the State of Delaware's recent multi-million-dollar restorations of The Old State House in Dover and the New Castle Court House. Both structures have served as Delaware's capitol at different times during the state's 200+-year history.
Completed in 1791, The Old State House served as Delaware's capitol from the United States' critical early years as a nation through 1933 when the General Assembly moved to its present location in Legislative Hall. The most recent, $3.5 million, restoration of the building took place between September, 2004 and October, 2007 and included re-pointing of exterior walls, replacement of exterior windows and doors, replacement of the roof, plaster wall repairs, floor restoration, re-painting of the building's interior based on research of historic color schemes, upgrades to the electrical and plumbing systems, installation of a new HVAC system, installation of equipment that makes the building fully accessible to people with disabilities, and installation of a fire suppression system.
One of the oldest and most historic courthouses in the United States, the New Castle Court House (main section built in 1732) served as Delaware's first court and state capitol. Here in 1776, New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties declared their independence from Pennsylvania and England creating the Delaware State. The site re-opened to the public on September 28th, 2007 after a year-long, $2.5 million restoration project that included painting of the interior of the building based on research of historic color schemes, plaster wall repairs, floor restoration, and a number of discreet modern improvements including installation of central air conditioning, and new heating equipment and electrical service.
The AASLH Leadership in History Awards program, now in its 63rd year, is the nation's most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Awards for 2008 represent 57 organizations and individuals from across the United States. Award winners will be honored at a special banquet during the 2008 AASLH Annual Meeting in Rochester, New York, on Friday, September 12, 2008.
The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also brings public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena.
The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful in American society.
