The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation announced its 2026 Preservation Awards recipients on June 23, recognizing individuals, organizations and projects that have contributed to preserving the state’s historic and cultural resources.
The awards honor achievements in historic preservation, community engagement, cultural stewardship and education. Recipients were nominated by the public and selected based on the significance of their contributions, commitment to culture and impact on Louisiana’s understanding of its heritage.
Among the organizations recognized this year were Minden Main Street and the Strand Theatre in Shreveport, both located within North Louisiana communities.
Minden Main Street received the Main Street Award, which recognizes a Main Street community that demonstrates the strategic use of creativity, historic preservation and culture to strengthen economic opportunity, improve quality of life and build support for cultural expression while preserving community character.
The Strand Theatre received an Organizational Excellence Award, which honors organizations that have leveraged cultural and historic assets to provide greater value to their regions through preservation, restoration, adaptive reuse or heritage tourism efforts.
Other award recipients include Allyson Hinz of New Orleans, who was named Sue Turner Preservationist of the Year, and Edmund and Cheryl Habetz of Crowley, recipients of the Winnie Byrd Preservationist Extraordinaire Award.
The Louisiana Trust also recognized preservation projects across the state, including work on the Julius Freyhan Building in St. Francisville and the Jean Baptiste Gaudin Tomb in Donaldsonville. Additional awards honored contributions in media, education, traditional building trades, leadership and the preservation of diverse heritage.
In conjunction with the awards announcement, the Louisiana Trust released its 2026 list of Louisiana’s Most Endangered Places, highlighting seven historic sites facing threats of deterioration or loss.
New additions to the list include St. Paul Baptist Church in Allen Parish, the Bailey Hotel in Avoyelles Parish, the Ferriday National Register District in Concordia Parish, the 7-Up Bottling Works and M.E. Church South in Jefferson Davis Parish, Bartholomew Cemetery in Ouachita Parish and The Polmer Store in Terrebonne Parish.
Since launching the program in 1999, the Louisiana Trust has identified more than 200 endangered historic sites statewide. According to the organization, more than 50 listed sites have been saved, while dozens of others are undergoing restoration or rehabilitation.
“Historic buildings and sites are the fingerprints of our communities and it takes creative measures to preserve and protect them for future generations,” Louisiana Trust Executive Director Brian Davis said in a statement. “Strategic partnerships, tax credits, and programs like LTHP’s Revolving Fund can save buildings many people may consider too far gone.”
The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, founded in 1979, advocates for the preservation of Louisiana’s architectural and cultural heritage through education, technical assistance, outreach and advocacy efforts across the state.