2026 C. Emlen Urban Award winners named by Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County

The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County announced the winners of its 2026 C. Emlen Urban Awards, which span eight categories and honor local preservation projects and people; awardees will receive certificates and be recognized at an invite-only ceremony on May 20 at the Hamilton Club of Lancaster.

The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County announced its 2026 C. Emlen Urban Award winners on Wednesday. The awards are named for architect C. Emlen Urban, a Conestoga native whose local works include Southern Market, the Watt & Shand Building and Stevens High School. The awards span eight categories and recognize people and organizations for preservation work across Lancaster County. Winners will receive certificates and will be recognized at an invite-only ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, at the Hamilton Club of Lancaster. Notable details: - The awards cover eight categories and recognize preservation projects, organizations, and individuals across Lancaster County. - Winners will receive a certificate from the Historic Preservation Trust and be honored at the Hamilton Club of Lancaster on May 20. - Adaptive reuse awards went to Andrew and Jessica Morgan (Daily Grind coffee shop in Quarryville Borough), Allison Douglas-Snyder (Martic Forge Ironmaster Mansion Clerk House in Martic Township), and Wohlsen Construction (low-barrier emergency shelter at Otterbein United Methodist Church). - Community revitalization awards went to Lancaster Station for platform replacement and improvements, and to YWCA Lancaster for its "YForward" restoration and renovation project. - Other honors included the Haubert-Heisey award to Jonathan Keperling, the landmark property rehabilitation award to Lori Murphy for work on the Little Haus, and a posthumous leadership award to Valentino Palumbo. - Mennonite Life won the master craftsman award for the Herr House roof at the 1719 Museum; the Smedley award went to Benton Webber and Mark Stewart; sustainability awards went to Vivian Abel and Linda Mylin Ross. Summary: The awards highlight a range of preservation projects and individual contributions across Lancaster County, from adaptive reuse and revitalization to craftsmanship and sustainability. Winners will be formally recognized at an invite-only ceremony on May 20 at the Hamilton Club of Lancaster.