Preserving Excellence

A special guest post by James Ostis of the Lowell Heritage Partnership

A unique look at Lowell’s past through the expert eyes of a Legendary Local author. A festival of international renown that celebrates both traditional culture and the wonders of water. An in-depth research project on the canals that created a revolution. A collaborative development project that both preserves history and helps provide health care access to over half of Lowell’s population. And finally, a well-deserved recognition of the man who made it all possible by believing in the potential of Lowell’s historical resources several decades ago.

On Thursday May 16^th, 2013, Lowell National Historical Park, the City of Lowell, and the Lowell Heritage Partnership honored recipients at the annual Community Excellence Awards in Historic Preservation and Culture Heritage. The winners were Richard Howe, Jr. for the Lowell Cemetery Tours, the Southeast Asian Water Festival committee, Albert Lorenzo for his research project on the Lowell Canal system, and Lowell Community Health Center for their renovated building in the Hamilton Mill. The family of Dr. Patrick J. Mogan was also honored with a posthumous award for his many years of service and integral role in Lowell’s preservation efforts.

The Community Excellence Awards were presented as part of the kickoff of Doors Open Lowell 2013 at a reception before a packed room at the Boott Mills Counting House. Speakers included Superintendent, Celeste Bernardo, LHP President, Paul Marion, and City Manager Bernie Lynch among others.