In April of 2017, The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation announced its annual Connecticut Preservation Awards, recognizing outstanding preservation projects and people who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Connecticut’s historic buildings and places.
The New Haven County Courthouse was among a group of select projects to receive a Merit Award.
Owner:State of Connecticut
Project Team:JCJ Architecture with Building Conservation Associates and Hoffmann Architects
General Contractor: Kronenberger & Son Restoration
The New Haven County Courthouse (NHCC) sits at the northeast corner of the historic New Haven Green. Completed in 1914, the New Haven firm of Allen and Williams drew inspiration from St. George’s Hall in Liverpool and infused Beaux-Arts principles in a Neo-Classical style. One of a small number of buildings commissioned by New Haven County to bolster its “City Beautiful” movement, the Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and part of the New Haven Green Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District. Located at the center of downtown, the Green and the Courthouse are an important part of New Haven’s identity and civic fabric.
By turn of the 21st century, pollution, sporadic maintenance and occupant-driven alterations had left the structure in a dramatic state of deterioration. With a collective goal of preserving and restoring original building materials to the highest degree possible, the State of Connecticut worked with the project team developed strategies to address significant condition challenges. The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation Merit Award acknowledges the outstanding work by the project team in arresting the deterioration of the Courthouse and preserving its exterior and significant architectural features.
“Our 2017 awards recognize a diverse range of historic preservation projects and achievements from across Connecticut,” said Daniel Mackay, Executive Director of the Connecticut Trust. “Each person and project that the Trust has recognized demonstrates the skill and determination required to protect our state’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.”
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The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit statewide membership organization established by special act of the Connecticut General Assembly. Working with local preservation groups and individuals as well as statewide organizations, the Trust encourages, advocates, and facilitates historic preservation throughout Connecticut.
The awards were presented Wednesday, April 5, at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center in Wethersfield and Thursday, April 13, at the Pequot Library in Southport.