Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc., (HFFI) presented awards for historic preservation at its recent annual meeting.
John Hennessy was honored for researching, writing, and sharing local history. A retired National Park Service historian and past HFFI president, Hennessy has written extensively on the Civil War and has long been an advocate for historic preservation. He received the Preservation Education Award.
The late Dr. John Willhide, another past HFFI president, received the Pillar of the Community Award. Willhide was instrumental in establishing the organization’s Revolving Fund, enabling the rehabilitation and preservation of dozens of properties in downtown Fredericksburg. He served on the city’s first Board of Historic Buildings, the precursor to the Architectural Review Board.
Special Recognition awards went to Victoria Matthews for her vision in establishing the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail, and to Chris Williams for supporting that effort. Matthews works for the city Tourism Department, while Williams is with the James Farmer Multicultural Center at the University of Mary Washington.
Preservation Spark Awards went to the Benjamin T. Pitts Trust and Rappahannock Restoration for rehabilitating the frame duplex at 103-105 Amelia Street; and to Historic Smithfield-Brooke Foundation for preserving the historic Smithfield mansion and its mission of supporting local history and preservation.
The late Terrie James was honored with the Exceptional Service Award for her devoted service and leadership as HFFI treasurer. She was described as “a warrior for HFFI.”
Roger Engels received the Volunteer Award for his work as a longtime researcher on HFFI’s Marker Committee. That group delves into the history of city buildings and the people who lived and worked there. You can see the markers on buildings all over the city.
