Historic Tuscaloosa To Honor 5 Preservation Champions At Annual Banquet

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Historic Tuscaloosa on Friday announced it will recognize five individuals and organizations for their contributions to preserving the city's history.

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The honors will be presented during its annual meeting and Preservation Awards Banquet on Thursday, Aug. 20.

The annual meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion, where the organization's board will review Historic Tuscaloosa's work and accomplishments over the past fiscal year.

The meeting will be followed by the Preservation Awards Banquet, during which the organization's 2026 preservation awards will be presented.

This year's honorees include:

• Corder Real Estate, recipient of the 2026 Brick & Mortar Award, recognizing the company's vision and dedication in restoring a historic building and enhancing the character of the community.
• David and Patty Carden, recipients of the 2026 Preservationist Award, honoring their commitment, time and effort in restoring their property within one of Tuscaloosa's historic districts.
• Delana Harbison, recipient of the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award, recognizing her outstanding service and commitment to historic preservation.
• Elizabeth McGiffert, recipient of the 2026 Legacy of Beauty Award, honoring her creativity and care in preserving historic places and leaving what the organization described as "a legacy of beauty."
• Catherine Pagani, recipient of the 2026 Horizon Award for Historic Advocacy, recognizing her research, advocacy and dedication to preserving and promoting the community's historic legacy.

Historic Tuscaloosa said its preservation awards date back to 1974, when the organization first recognized individual contributions to preservation efforts and began presenting its Brick & Mortar Awards to celebrate completed restoration projects.

For more information about Historic Tuscaloosa or the Preservation Society, contact the organization's office at (205) 758-2238 or email info@historictuscaloosa.org.

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