PHOENIX – During the 20th annual Arizona Historic Preservation Conference held in Tucson, 10 honorees were selected for the Annual Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Awards.

The awards luncheon was held at the Leo Rich Theatre in the Tucson Convention Center on Thursday, October 26. The Annual Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Awards, presented by the State Historic Preservation Office and Arizona Preservation Foundation, recognize people, organizations, and projects that represent outstanding achievements in preserving Arizona’s prehistoric and historic resources.

State Historic Preservation Officer Kathryn Leonard noted, “For over three decades, these awards have served to honor the achievements of individuals and organizations who have worked tirelessly to preserve Arizona’s heritage for future generations.”

The top honor of the luncheon, the James W. Garrison Heritage Award, was given to Pima County's restoration of Canoa Ranch. The award, named for a retired state historic preservation officer, is selected by Governor Katie Hobbs from all conference award winners. The Award is named for longtime State Historic Preservation Officer, Jim Garrison.

Since 1982, the Arizona Preservation Foundation and State Historic Preservation Office, a division of Arizona State Parks and Trails, have partnered to present the Governor's Heritage Honor Preservation Awards. The awards recognize people, organizations, and projects that represent outstanding achievements in preserving Arizona's prehistoric and historic resources.

The 2023 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honorees are as follows:

• Benedictine Apartments Rehabilitation Project, Tucson
• Tohono Restoration – Conservation of Art San Xavier del Bac Mission, Pima County
• Douglas R. Mitchell Lifetime Achievement
• George Dvorak, Volunteer Fort Verde State Historic Park, Camp Verde
• Jacobson House Rehabilitation Project, Tucson
• Kiva Craft Center Rehabilitation, Scottsdale
• Manning House Rehabilitation Project at Canoa Ranch, Tucson
• Scott Newth, Volunteer, Sedona
• Simpson Rowhouse Rehabilitation Project, Tucson
• U.S. Customs House Rehabilitation Project, Naco

For more information about the Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Awards or the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, visit AZStateParks.com/SHPO or AZPreservation.org. Conference sponsors include Pima County, City of Tucson, Arizona Preservation Foundation, and Preserve AZ.