HANKS PRESERVATION AWARD WINNERS

2006
The Award's first winner was John “Chip” Akridge III for his establishment of a wildlife habitat on land he owns along Oxford Road in Oxford, Maryland. This project set an example for other property owners. It had a direct, positive impact on the waters of Trippe Creek and the Tred Avon River and on the aesthetics of the environs of Oxford. The project had three different nominations! While these nominations shared several points, each delineated at least one attribute of the project not previously cited. The end result was an appreciation of the wide scope and positive effect this project has on all who live in the Oxford area or are fortunate enough to visit.

2007
Ed Cutts Sr. and his son Eddie, representing Cutts and Case Shipyard, received the award for their preservation efforts on many fronts. Cutts and Case not only continues Oxford’s traditional boat building industry but specializes
in restoration of older wooden crafts. The yard maintains
a beautiful museum of maritime artifacts, a unique treat
for all who walk the streets of Oxford. Finally, the yard is home to Mr. Cutts’ house Byeberry, an Oxford original house built in 1695.

In appreciation of a superior restoration project, Susan
and Dick Deerin were also awarded the Hanks Preservation Award. In the restoration and remodeling of their Victorian home, the Deerins worked with the town’s various commissions and did an exemplary job of modernizing their home while preserving the integrity and character of the house.
 

Xan Hanks, Jeanne Foster, Eddie Cutts, Jr. (back). Dick and Susan Deerin and Ed Cutts, Sr. (front)

2008
An award for Stewardship was awarded to Ted and Jennifer Stanley in recognition of their many and varied projects. The Stanleys were the subject of multiple nominations with eleven different people submitting documentation of their numerous stewardship activities. In addition to their having restored their Town Creek shoreline to a more natural condition, they have dedicated land in Jacks Point as a nature preserve. They not only have preserved the church and grounds of St. Paul’s Methodist Church but are fastidiously restoring the church as a serviceable building for community events. Finally, with their founding of the Oxford Kids Camp and the after school programs, the Stanleys teach about Oxford’s history and its ecology and allow the children to enjoy the wonderful outdoor activities that make life so sweet in Oxford.
Jennifer and Ted Stanley (seated front) and Leo Nollmeyer

In the service category Leo Nollmeyer stands out as an energetic resident historian. Having moved to Oxford in his youth, he developed a love for the town and an insatiable curiosity about the history of the town. Upon retirement, he returned to Oxford and lent his many talents to the Oxford Museum. He has served on the Board, as a docent and as President of the Museum. He has brought the museum into the computer age with the installation of Museum software and spent countless hours developing and maintaining an accurate archival database of the Museums many artifacts. His love of the local history is most evident when he educates and entertains groups of fascinated tourists, residents, and visitors on his entertaining walking history tours. Whether Leo is entering data, training docents, giving tours or managing the Museum collection, his service to Oxford’s history is exemplary.
 

2009

The first award was presented to Edwin Lewis for his meticulous restoration of the Amelia C. Ireland House
at 220 South Morris Street. With the exclusive use of period building supplies, the German beveled siding and the original wood shutters were repaired. Broken windows were refurbished with period bubble glass. While rebuilding the porch facing Morris Street, all the original architectural detail was retained. Where deterioration was extreme, wood trim was milled for an exact match to the original structure. With new cedar shake and tin roofs, the house stands as a true model of restoration.
 

* Joy Cornetta, representing Edwin Lewis,
with Jeanne Foster and Xan Hanks

Recognized for outstanding service in preservation is a group lovingly known as "The Oxford Fence Guys." The late Ray Schucker, Tony Passarella and Claude Maechling all have contributed their considerable carpentry skills to restore, replace or build new our unique Oxford picket fences for properties throughout the town. While the fences are a tangible contribution to Oxford's preservation, the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor is truly a connection to Oxford's small town past. They build good fences, and they make good neighbors.

Tony Passarella, Beth Shucker, Jeanne Foster and Claude Maechling

* Lewis Award photos courtesy of Attraction Magazine

2010

This year’s winner, the John Wesley Church Restoration Project, under the direction of a dedicated Board of Directors led by President Kathy Radcliffe, epitomizes the spirit of the award initiated in 2006 in memory of Doug Hanks Jr., a lifelong lover and preserver of Oxford’s unique heritage and history.

The John Wesley Church is listed in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties as one of the oldest African-American churches in Talbot County. Since 1875 the white frame church has stood as a landmark as one approaches Oxford. Once home to a vibrant congregation, time had taken its toll on the church. In 2003 President Radcliff and her board started on a long journey that brought the church back to health. Funds for construction and an endowment for the future were raised through grant awards and donations from the community. Permits were fought for and secured. When asked, professionals were generous with their talents providing pro bono work in areas such as grant application and architectural work. An archeological study was performed, and a geophysical survey located and plotted more than two hundred graves. Many man hours of labor were contributed by local residents over the years resulting in the restoration of the church. Today it stands tall on a new foundation with a strong roof and a bright white exterior. At night the church serves as a beacon as one approaches Oxford. With interior lighting the restored stained glass windows transmit a spiritual welcome for all travelers.