2025 PAL Awards Summary
On Friday May 16th PAL members, guests, award winners, and individuals interested in preservation gathered for our annual meeting and awards ceremony. Held at the First Plymouth Congregational Church in the Near South neighborhood, attendees joined in the celebration of Preservation Month by highlighting the amazing work going on in Lincoln to further preservation efforts. The following are the awards and their recipients.
Stewardship – for continuing stewardship in maintaining the historic integrity of a building, district or site.
Steve Speidel, current owner and grandson to the person who built the Speidel Barn at 7800 S 40th Street, is the recipient of this year’s Stewardship Award. The barn was constructed in 1932 for $1,800 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023. To maintain this gothic arch barn in such pristine condition, Steve is constantly working on upkeep items. Just days before the award ceremony he was on the roof with his son nailing shingles back on that had blown off. His approach is to paint a different side of the barn each year, so it’s bright red color always looks fresh. His tireless effort shows real stewardship of this historic resource.
Commercial/Institutional Rehabilitation – for the rehab or adaptive reuse of a commercial or institutional property.
The First Plymouth Congregational Church Accessible Ramp project exemplifies adaptive reuse, creating an accessible entry along the primary façade of the church that blends seamlessly into the landscape. The architects, both members of the congregation, kept the railings simple to blend into the background and matched the green color of the ironwork on the building to maintain consistency.
Residential Rehabilitation – for the restoration or rehab of a significant residence, 50 years of age or older.
Jason and Amanda Volz, owners of 1835 D Street, were selected this year for their repair of the ornate fence in front of the property. A twenty-foot section of iron work fence was destroyed when a substantial limb snapped from a neighboring sycamore tree during a storm on July 4, 2023. This fence was originally part of the Phillips Castle at 19th and D Street. Although the section of fence that was damaged is now part of an apartment complex and not the Phillips property, it was important to restore the fence to its original state. With recommendations from PAL board members, the Volz’s worked with the team at FAB402 to refabricate and install a new section of fence to match the original.
Integration of Old and New – for exemplary integration of new construction within a historic structure or district.
Kelly and Angelia Hoffschneider were awarded the Integration of Old and New award for their renovation and addition at 909 and 915 Fall Creek Road. The Hoffschneider’s purchased both lots, residing in the mid-century house while the work progressed on the Tudor house next door. This included a one and a half story addition to the side of the house set back from the front line of the home to distinguish old and new, while using an architectural style that blends with the original 1931 Davis and Wilson designed home.
The Great Commoner Award – to recognize outstanding effort in preservation education.
Pure Nebraska is hosted by Jon and Taryn Vanderford on 10/11 and received the Great Commoner Award this year. While the show is not limited just to Lincoln or historic preservation, over the years they have covered many preservation projects across Nebraska, including a show on Fairview here in Lincoln. Their work contributes significantly to preservation education efforts across the state.
City Center Award – to recognize outstanding effort in maintaining the vitality of Lincoln’s urban core.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, commonly referred to as OLLI, is a volunteer-driven adult-learning membership program designed for adults over the age of 50. Housed in the University of Nebraska system, OLLI has featured many preservation programs over the years including walking tours in Wyuka, classroom lectures on preservation topics, and neighborhood walking tours, many of which were led by PAL board member Ed Zimmer.
President’s Award – to recognize outstanding achievement in the field of historic preservation.
Leslie Huerta, owner of Francie and Finch Bookshop at 130 S. 13th Street, was selected by PAL President Jeff Erb for this years award. Located in the Rogers Kimball-designed Nebraska Telephone Exchange Building, the bookstore has breathed new life into the old building which has been lovingly rehabbed and cared for by Huerta over the past 10 years. Through book talks and signings, Francie and Finch has supported many preservation books including Lincoln preservation volumes by Ed Zimmer and Jim McKee.
Helen Boosalis Award – to recognize outstanding effort in promoting or advocating the value of historic preservation.
Scott Wieskamp has spent the last 25 years with Lincoln Public Schools overseeing roughly $1 billion in capitol improvements, doubling the number of high schools and growing the square footage from five to eight million square feet. Many of these projects included sensitive rehabilitation projects like Everett Elementary School, last year’s Commercial/Institutional Rehabilitation Award.
