We are pleased to pass on the news that the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office and Preservation Connecticut have announced that the recipient of the Harlan Griswold Award for 2024 is the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Connecticut. “Beginning in the 1980s and now nearing completion, the trail successfully adapts the historic corridor originally created as the Farmington Canal and later converted to the Canal Line Railroad. The trail preserves and celebrates two key periods of transportation history while accommodating present day users. We envision the award as recognizing the two organizations who advocate for the trail, the Farmington Canal Rail to Trail Association and the Farmington Valley Trails Council, along with mentions of the towns and cities through which the trail passes.”

The Harlan Griswold Award, for “leadership, vision and selfless dedication to preserving Connecticut’s heritage,” is presented jointly with the State Historic Preservation Office and considered Connecticut’s highest recognition for preservation.  Griswold was the longtime chairman of the Connecticut Historical Commission (forerunner of the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office) and a founder of Preservation Connecticut.  

The awards will be presented Thursday, May 9, beginning at 5:30, at the New Haven Country Club, 160 Hartford Turnpike, in Hamden.

The full press release can be viewed here: https://preservationct.org/2024-preservation-award-recipients