The City of Redmond is among four groups or individuals who will receive the 2012 John D. Spellman Awards for Exemplary Achievement in Historic Preservation.
Redmond is being recognized for restoring the picnic shelter at Anderson Park, which was constructed in the 1930s through the Works Project Administration during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.
A special ceremony will be held on May 24 at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, at 16600 N.E. 80th St. in Redmond, with King County Executive Dow Constantine presenting the awards. In honor of the city’s Centennial, a special presentation on Redmond’s history will precede the awards and descendants of one of the city’s founding families will be in attendance.
“As John Steinbeck wrote in ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ ‘How do we know it’s us without our past?'” Constantine said. “It is only upon a strong foundation that we can build our future, so I am pleased to honor those who honor our history.”
In addition to the City of Redmond, Constantine will present awards to the following recipients:
- Irene Pike for her stewardship and rehabilitation of the historic Moore House in Fall City.
- The Center for Wooden Boats and partners for documentation and education related to Lake Union’s underwater archaeological sites.
- The Washington State Department of Transportation and partners for Milepost 31, a new public information center in the heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square.
The doors open for the event at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and refreshments. The ceremony begins at 10:15 a.m. The awards are named in honor of Gov. John Spellman (King County executive, 1969-81), who established the county’s Historic Preservation Program 32 years ago.
The Old Redmond Schoolhouse was constructed in 1922 as a school for all grades. In 1999 the building was converted into a community center and today is the venue for a variety of recreation programs operated by the Redmond’s Parks and Recreation Department.
