2018 Lake Worth Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony at the Lake Worth Casino Ballroom.

The awards were given out last Wednesday evening (May 23rd). More information and images are below along with a message at the end of this blog post from Aimee Sunny, the City’s Preservation Planning Coordinator.

Announcing the ceremony, from a City
press release last month:

“The City of Lake Worth Historic Resources Preservation Board is pleased to announce the City’s second annual Historic Preservation Awards. I hope you’ll join us in recognizing the award winners that have contributed to preserving our City’s unique character and the people that helped make it possible. We are excited to continue with the annual awards program as there are many great new projects in the City.”

—Quote by Darrin Engel, Chairman of the Lake Worth Historic Resources Preservation Board.


First, hope springs eternal a future historic preservation awards ceremony in this City of Lake Worth will be held in the lobby of the historic Gulfstream Hotel which still has approvals in place for a historic renovation, a new hotel to 65′ and a three-story parking garage. Although there is nothing historic about our Lake Worth Casino at the Beach any longer, what IS truly tremendous is the Ballroom at the Casino and the City officials and staff who overcame so many challenges to make this venue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean such a success:


A unique distinction on the second floor of the Casino Building is a 3,000 square foot ballroom that offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean with wrap-around terraces and provides a perfect location for weddings, special occasions and other events.


In honor of National Historic Preservation Month and with the theme of “This Place Matters” the City of Lake Worth recognized award recipients in the following categories.

Click on all images to enlarge.

What structures are on the National and City “Register of Historic Places”? That and much more information can be found on the City’s Historic Preservation website.

Here is the agenda distributed showing the location
of various properties that received awards
in the various categories:

“Congratulations to all of the award winners!”

I am pleased to announce the Cottages of Lake Worth, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit corporation, and the group responsible for The Cottages of Lake Worth book, received the “Preservation Champion” award:

Preservation Champion or Organization: “Acknowledges the contributions of an individual or organization to restore and preserve historic structures or building components.”

Here are Yours Truly and Janice Snearer
with our individual certificates.

Janice was one of the earliest and chief organizers
of The Cottages book effort. Her name appears
on the front cover.

Taylor Jones did the photography. Excellent work.

In Memoriam from the Cottages book: “Prior to official publication, our primary writer, Dean Sherwin, passed away. From inception to completion, Dean never flagged in his passion for this project.”

Here is the message from Aimee Sunny last Wednesday night at the awards ceremony:

“This award is being given to The Cottages of Lake Worth, a local 501c3 non-profit organization, for all of their work in supporting historic preservation efforts in the City. The Cottages is the first recipient of this award which acknowledges the contributions of an individual or organization to the advancement, promotion, and support of historic preservation in the City.

The Cottages group published their signature book, The Cottages of Lake Worth: Living Large in Small Spaces in ​late 2016​ in order to highlight and celebrate the hundreds of unique, historic cottage structures in the City. The book was written by Dean Sherwin and Janice Snearer with photography by Taylor Jones.

In addition to their book, the Cottages hold yearly home tours, have installed informational plaques throughout the City, and have produced a walking and driving tour map of cottages in the City, in addition to continually advocating for the preservation and promotion of these unique architectural and cultural gems. Accepting the award tonight is Wes Blackman, the current president of The Cottages​ board of directors​, Janice Snearer ​who was ​one of the authors of the Cottages book, and Susan Nestler, who is accepting the award on behalf of her husband Dean Sherwin, who unfortunately passed away in 2016 prior to the publication of The Cottages book.

Dean was not only one of the authors of the book, but was also a never-ending advocate for the City and the cottage lifestyle. Also receiving awards are Roger Hendrix​ and​ Teresa Miller,* who are not able to attend this evening, but were instrumental in the formation of The Cottages organization and former Board members.​ Lastly, Taylor Jones, who also cannot attend this evening, is being recognized for her photography that makes u​p the greater part of the Cottages book.”


*To learn more about the founding members of the Cottages group click on this link for an article published in Nov. 2013 by former Palm Beach Post reporter Lona O’Connor.