Historic Beaufort Foundation’s highest honors were awarded recently to individuals who have contributed to the preservation and promotion of Beaufort County’s historic resources. Master craftsman Rick Wightman, longtime community activist Maxine Lutz and homeowners Catherine and Wallace Scarborough and their team, architect Bill Chambers and contractors Powell Brothers Construction Inc., were recognized by the foundation.
Wightman received the Howard E. Danner Award for Lifetime Achievement in historic preservation for his work to preserve tabby ruins throughout the Lowcountry. Wightman has developed techniques for preserving historic tabby and reproducing it. He was also recognized for his skills reproducing buildings and furnishings at AuldBrass Plantation, the Frank Lloyd Wright home in northern Beaufort County.
The Danner Award is named after the founder of the Committee to Save the Lafayette Building (Verdier House) in 1945 and HBF in 1965.
The Wyatt B. Pringle, Sr. Outstanding Service to Historic Beaufort Foundation was given to Lutz who recently retired after 21 years as an HBF employee, the last six as executive director.
Historic Preservation Honor Awards which recognize exemplary projects in restoration, additions and adaptive reuse were given to the Scarboroughs, Chambers and Brian and Eric Powell for a sympathetic addition at the ca. 1790 Robert Means House at 1207 Bay Street.
The team successfully removed modern bathrooms and kitchen from the footprint of the historic house and created an addition that serves modern uses.
