Thank you for joining us at Preservation Detroit’s 50th Anniversary Gala!

Thank you to all who could join us, or supported us with a sponsorship, for the 50th Anniversary Gala on November 5 at the historic Dakota Inn Rathskeller. Your presence helped make the evening a memorable celebration of five decades of preservation, community, and pride in Detroit’s architectural and cultural heritage. The gala was not only a milestone in our organization’s history but also an opportunity to honor the people and projects shaping the future of preservation in our city.

We were proud to present the 2025 Preservation Honor Awards to this year’s outstanding recipients, whose work exemplifies commitment to community, stewardship of place, and preservation advocacy in Detroit:

● 50-Year Transformative Project Award: The Detroit Opera House

● Residential Preservation Project of the Year: The Dr. Ossian H. Sweet House

● Residential Preservation Project of the Year: The Rose Estate

● Cultural Preservation Award: Paddy Lynch

● Community Historian Award: Eric Hergenreder

● Community Preservation Award: Dorothea Williams-Arnold

● Lifetime Achievement Award: Dan Austin

Each honoree represents the ongoing dedication that keeps Detroit’s history alive and relevant today. From the revival of landmark structures to the tireless advocacy of community leaders, historians and stewards, their achievements remind us that preservation is about protecting our built heritage and preserving the culture and spirit of a city.

Since our founding in 1975 by a group of Wayne State University students determined to protect Detroit’s historic buildings, Preservation Detroit has grown into the city’s primary advocacy voice for historic preservation, cultural heritage and community revitalization. Together, we’ve worked to demonstrate that preservation strengthens neighborhoods, inspires progress, creates jobs and sustainability and connects generations. We will continue to spread this message to city and state officials, property owners, investors and community organizations. We will continue our advocacy through workshops, education programming, tours and by providing public testimony. If you are interested in volunteering with Preservation Detroit as we continue this work, we would love to hear from you as we grow our networks and partnerships.

Again, we are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, sponsored, volunteered, and helped make our 50th Anniversary Gala a success. Your support ensures that our advocacy work will continue to help shape Detroit’s future.

If you are not a member of Preservation Detroit, we ask you to become a member today and follow us on social media so you can be up to date on our events, programs and efforts.