Peter and Isabel Malkin honored with national historical preservation award
Peter and Isabel Malkin, longtime residents of Greenwich, were awarded the Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award for Lifetime Achievement from the National Trust for Historic Preservation during a virtual ceremony on Friday.
The trust, based in Washington, D.C., organizes the annual slate of National Preservation Awards and bestows the honors.
For decades, the Malkins have been involved in the preservation of some of the most iconic structures and landscapes in the United States, including Connecticut’s Merritt Parkway, the Empire State Building, the Lyndhurst mansion in Westchester County, the Bush-Holley House at the Greenwich Historical Society and many other historic buildings in town, to mention a few.
“Their impressive real estate development work, quiet yet profound philanthropy, talent for uniting donors with preservationists and the public, and stalwart support of preservation organizations have demonstrated their lifelong commitment to the preservation of historic places, and an impressive track record of preservation successes,” the trust said in a statement.
The Crowninshield Award was established in 1960, and is the highest honor in the world of historical preservation.
“The award is made with the greatest care and only when there is indisputable evidence of superlative achievement over time in the preservation and interpretation of our cultural, architectural or maritime heritage, including buildings, architecture, districts, archeology, cultural landscapes and objects of significance in the history and culture of the United States,” the trust said in a statement.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has selected nine recipients of this year’s National Preservation Awards, which include several of the industry’s highest honors, highlighting distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and corporations that give new meaning to their communities through skillful and determined preservation work.
The annual ceremony occurs during the PastForward Conference, which was held virtually in 2022. Bob Vila, an icon of home improvement television, a dedicated preservationist and a trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was the emcee.
“Each year at the PastForward Conference, we come together to recognize those making a real difference in historic preservation,” said Paul Edmondson, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “This year’s recipients embody not just the preservation of American history, but also demonstrate how preserving historic places can play a key role in addressing critical issues of today, including climate change, equality and housing.”
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic places to enrich our future.