Lawrence receives awards for preservation efforts 

(Lawrence, Kan.) – Four Lawrence-based organizations or properties were honored on June 2 at the annual Kansas Preservation Alliance (KPA) awards in Topeka.  The KPA is a state-wide organization that works to save cultural landmarks. The City of Lawrence’s rehabilitation of the Carnegie Library Building at 9^th and Vermont Streets was honored as well as the rehabilitation of 1120 Rhode Island and the St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church. Judy Billings, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director, received the Preservation Advocacy Award.

The four projects listed below were honored by KPA: 

Lawrence Carnegie Library -- Medallion Award for Rehabilitation to the City of Lawrence

The Old Lawrence City Library (Lawrence Carnegie Library) was one of 66 Carnegie libraries built in Kansas. The building was constructed in 1904 and an addition was built in 1937. By the 1960s the community had outgrown the building and in 1972 the city library moved to its new location leaving the Old Lawrence City Library building vacant. From 1974 until 2002, the Lawrence Arts Center occupied the building and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Treanor Architects with AB Bradley Construction designed the rehabilitation project, which included structural assessment and stabilization, interior rehabilitation, and a sensitively designed rear addition providing an accessible entrance, elevator and bathrooms.

1120 Rhode Island, Lawrence-- Honor Award for Rehabilitation to Lawrence Preservation Alliance

The building at 1120 Rhode Island, which was listed on the National Register of Historic places on July 14, 2004, is a contributing property in the North Rhode Island Historic District and a remnant of a block once known as “Merchants Row”. This structure is a good example of vernacular architecture cobbled together over time by property owners who had to “make do” with their building plans. The original inner core structure was a subsistence-level cabin with the first addition in 1888 and more additions in the 1900’s. The accessory structure, which has an importance regarding scale of alleys, has been returned to its historic use as a storage facility.

Long vacant and deteriorated, this residence was a contributing resource in the North Rhode Island Street National Register Historic District. The successful partnership between the Lawrence Preservation Alliance and Tenants to Homeowners provided much-needed affordable housing.

St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, Lawrence -- Preservation Stewardship Award to St. Luke AME Church

The St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, built in the style of 20th century ecclesiastical Gothic Revival Architecture, is an icon of Old East Lawrence. Constructed in 1910, this church has been an anchor in Lawrence's African-American community for 101 years. In particular, during times of racial discrimination and segregation in the early 20th century and as church members took part in 1950s and 1960s protest marches.  

St. Luke was a pivotal influence in the young life of internationally acclaimed poet and writer Langston Hughes. He is quoted as saying “...I went to church and Sunday school...and I was very much moved, always by the...rhythms of the Negro church...of the spirituals...of the sermons...and when I began to write poetry, that influence came through.” He is also quoted as saying, “The first church I remember is the A.M.E. Church on the corner of Ninth...and New York. That is where I went to Sunday School where I almost became converted, which I tell about in The Big Sea...my first autobiography.”

Judy Billings, Lawrence -- Preservation Advocacy Award. 

As director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau and the chair of the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area planning committee, Ms. Billings has created an effective partnership between tourism and preservation. Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area is an initiative that enhances, preserves, and promotes the Territorial, Civil War, and civil rights stories of 29 Kansas counties. The Preservation Advocacy Award is for commitment to Historic Preservation through Advocacy Leadership for the creation of Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area.

For more information on Lawrence’s preservation efforts, please contact Lynne Zollner, historic resources administrator, at (785) 832-3151.

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