Preservation Achievement Awards

Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

At Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s 2026 Preservation Achievement Awards, Founders Hall at Girard College was honored with a Grand Jury Award recognizing outstanding achievement in historic preservation. Preservation & Decorative Arts is deeply honored to have been part of the project team entrusted with the conservation of this extraordinary National Historic Landmark.
Designed by Thomas U. Walter and completed in 1847, Founders Hall is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. The building holds immense architectural and cultural significance within Philadelphia and the broader history of American preservation.
The award recognizes a collaborative effort between Girard College, Preservation & Decorative Arts, Johnson & Griffiths, and Hutec Engineering to preserve and revitalize the historic structure while supporting its continued use for education, community gatherings, and public engagement.
For Preservation & Decorative Arts, this project represented far more than conservation treatment alone. Our work focused on the stabilization, cleaning, conservation, and aesthetic reintegration of historic painted plaster ceilings and architectural finishes throughout Founders Hall. Every decision was approached with care for the original craftsmanship, historic material integrity, and the long-term stewardship of the building.
Historic spaces like Founders Hall carry generations of human history within their surfaces. Layers of paint, wear, repairs, and aging all become part of a building’s story. Conservation work asks us to balance preservation with continued life and use. It requires technical precision, historical understanding, and respect for the artisans and caretakers who came before us.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this project was seeing the building actively inhabited while the work took place. Students, staff, alumni, and visitors continued to move through the space daily, reinforcing the idea that preservation is not about freezing buildings in time. It is about ensuring they remain alive and relevant for future generations.
We are incredibly grateful to Girard College for their commitment to preservation and stewardship of this remarkable landmark. We also want to thank the many craftspeople, conservators, engineers, administrators, and project partners whose expertise made this work possible.
To receive recognition from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia alongside so many inspiring preservation projects across the region is truly meaningful. Philadelphia’s architectural history is one of its greatest cultural assets, and it is an honor to contribute to the ongoing care of these spaces.
Projects like Founders Hall remind us why preservation matters. Historic buildings connect communities to memory, craftsmanship, identity, and place. Through thoughtful conservation, these environments continue to educate, inspire, and serve the public for generations to come.
Learn more about the awards and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia here: Preservation Achievement Awards
You can also learn more about Girard College and the history of Founders Hall.