Preservation in Action
Preservation is at the heart of our Mission
Preservation and conservation are central to the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation’s work. Through advocacy, recognition, and education, we support efforts that protect the historic visual character of Lake Forest and encourage thoughtful stewardship of its architectural and landscape legacy.
Preservation Timeline
Learn how we support the restoration and preservation of Lake Forest’s historic sites, landscapes, and community amenities.
Preservation Awards
Each year, we honor individuals and organizations whose projects exemplify excellence in historic preservation.
Preservation Award Winners
View the more than 250 properties that have been honored for their contribution to Lake Forest’s architectural and landscape heritage.
Nominate a Property
Know a property more than fifty years old that deserves recognition? Nominations are open to owners, neighbors, and admirers.
Preservation Timeline
The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation encourages and supports the restoration and preservation of historic sites, structures, landscapes, and community amenities. By working with homeowners, professionals, and the broader community, we help ensure that Lake Forest’s historic character is thoughtfully maintained and respected as the City evolves.
Preservation Awards
Each year, the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding efforts to preserve Lake Forest’s architectural heritage.
Any structure or landscape more than fifty years old may be nominated. Nominations can be submitted by anyone—including property owners, neighbors, friends, or admirers. If someone other than the owner submits a nomination, the Foundation will contact the owner for approval.
Award recipients receive a bronze plaque at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting. The meeting is followed by a reception at a historic Lake Forest property that reflects the community’s commitment to preservation.
There are five categories of awards, the first four based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, with an additional category for new construction or infill. Judging is based on the ten standards from the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
Nominations are accepted online or by requesting a form from the office at 847-234-1230.
Preservation Award Categories
The Foundation recognizes excellence across five distinct categories, honoring thoughtful approaches to preserving, adapting, restoring, reconstructing, and sensitively adding to Lake Forest’s built environment. Click on the categories below for details.
Maintaining the historical integrity and character of a structure or landscape through careful conservation, ongoing maintenance, and sensitive repair.
Continuing the use of a historic structure through repair, alterations, or additions while protecting its historical, cultural, and architectural character, including adaptive reuse.
Recovering, revealing, or accurately representing the appearance of a historic structure or landscape as it existed during a specific period in history.
Recreating the form, features, and details of a historic structure or landscape through new construction based on documented historical evidence.
Creating new construction that demonstrates exemplary design and contextual compatibility within an established historic or traditional neighborhood.
Past Preservation Award Winners
The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation has presented preservation awards for more than 30 years. Details are available for more than 250 properties recognized over that time.