Expanding on its traditional Heritage Stewardship Awards banquet, the Abilene Preservation League will devote an entire week in September to announce, recognize and celebrate the preservation efforts of neighbors, businesses and institutions, throughout the city.

The inaugural Abilene Preservation Awards, Sept. 23-28, will honor, in separate and singularly appropriate ways, the efforts and energy of local preservationists in these categories:

1) Residences and Neighborhoods

-Beautifully preserved homes in comfortable, compatible communities.

2)Business Addresses

-Commercial enterprises at home in repurposed or in important, well designed and preserved architecture.

3) Institutional Architecture

-The distinctive and sensitively considered buildings of religion, education and government.

4) Heritage Businesses

-Carefully cared for façades or interiors that reflect the ongoing spirit of preservation for vintage businesses.

At each location, a brief, special ceremony of recognition and an appropriate reception, in the morning or evening, with appropriate food and music, will make each celebration unique.

As before, on one day in the week, a keynote speaker will address a luncheon audience in a special venue. Each event of the week will require an admission, with one discounted ticket admitting attendees to every event.