WESTERLY – Carly and Matthew of Westerly – whose impressive restoration of their 1840 Greek Revival-style home on Elm Street earned them Preserve Rhode Island's Homeowner Award earlier this year – could win the organization's Audience Award if they receive the most votes by noon Friday.
Until Friday, Oct. 24, at noon, the public can vote to select the next “People's Choice” winner and help Preserve Rhode Island spread the word about “the incredible conservation work being done in our state,” said Alex Costa, the organization's communications and events coordinator this week, in an email announcement.
Preserve Rhode Island is Rhode Island's statewide advocate for historic places. The 69-year-old nonprofit advises local historic preservation groups, finds productive and adaptive reuse opportunities for endangered buildings, advocates for the revitalization of historic places to stimulate local economies and engages the community through public programs at the Lippitt House Museum, Costa said.
“Each year, Preserve RI recognizes the remarkable achievements of individuals and organizations for their efforts to use historic preservation to strengthen our communities, improve quality of life and address social challenges,” Costa said in announcing the awards earlier this year.
The Callahans, who won the Homeowner Award for the exterior restoration of their 1840 Greek Revival-style home on Elm Street, purchased the home and undertook the restoration project “in hopes of inspiring others in Westerly to preserve and celebrate the town's historic charm and unique character.”
“The exterior, now fully restored, will last another 100 years,” Costa said.
This year's honorees range from Westerly to Pawtucket to Tiverton and demonstrate that preservation efforts impact communities across the state, he said, noting that this year's honorees are being honored for their work, which includes protecting and restoring iconic landmarks that strengthen the state's tourism industry and connect Rhode Islanders to our shared history; Converting abandoned mill buildings into much-needed residential and commercial space for local businesses and restaurants, as well as creating community spaces that help build the local economy.
An independent jury of historians, architects, developers, community leaders and preservationists had the difficult task of narrowing the nominations down to just 10 finalists, Costa said, and the public will decide the winner of the People's Choice Award.
In addition to Callahans, other 2025 Rhody Prize winners include Margaret Whitehead; Newport Collaborative Architects; Poplar Point Lighthouse in North Kingstown; Isaac Bell House in Newport; Stedman & Fuller Manufacturing Company Complex and Track 15 Food Hall in Providence, Tiverton Four Corners; Pawtucket Fire Station No. 1 and the Independent Man, which is back on the roof of the Rhode Island Capitol building after a lengthy restoration last year.
To learn more about this year's Rhody Award winners, view videos from each winner and cast your vote, visit https://www.preserveri.org/2025-rhody-award-winner-videos