President Rick Chandler with 2025 Stewardship award recipients Architectural Building Arts. Photo by Nick Wilkes Photography
Madison Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to honor projects, people and organizations in our community that demonstrate excellence in historic preservation.
Each year the Madison Trust highlights specific projects that show a high level of devotion to historic preservation through property owners, architects, designers, contractors or other participants. We also recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions in activities that support the preservation and promotion of our cultural heritage.
2026 nominations are closed.
SAVE THE DATE
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SAVE THE DATE 〰️
Thursday, May 14, 2026
The Memorial Union
We hope you will join the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation as we honor the outstanding projects, individuals, and organizations in our community that exemplify excellence in historic preservation.
Our evening celebration will feature a social hour followed by the awards ceremony. A limited number of tickets will also be available for a special pre-event Red Gym Restoration Tour.
Tickets open April 1
Event Venue
Memorial Union, Great Hall
800 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706
Evening Schedule
4:45 p.m. ~ Red Gym Restoration Tour
6:00 p.m. ~ Social Hour & Hors d’oeuvres
7:00 p.m. ~ Awards Ceremony
Tickets
Tickets open April 1
Madison Trust Members $45
General Public $55
Red Gym Restoration Tour $8
*We encourage you to purchase your tickets early if you plan to attend the tour, as space is limited and availability is expected to fill quickly. A ceremony ticket is required when purchasing a tour ticket.
Red Gym Restoration Tour
The Red Gym was designed by Conover & Porter and opened in 1894. Designed in the Romanesque Revival Style, it resembles a red brick castle and originally housed the campus’ gymnasium and armory. It was established as a Landmark in 1993, considered significant in its architecture and for hosting the 1904 WI Republican Convention, which was a seminal event in the history of the Progressive Movement and Robert M. La Follette.
In 2022, InSite Consulting Architects (ICA) was hired by the State of Wisconsin Dept. of Facilities Development for an Envelope Repair & Replacement Project. The major impetus for the project was to replace the failing asphalt shingle roof with a new, historically-accurate slate roof. The remaining funds of the project budget were to be used for the masonry envelope repairs, consisting of custom solid-cast bricks, unique matching stone, and replacing original-matching mortars. ICA started the project with an in-depth survey of the envelope, provided design services, and is now working with the contractors through construction, planned to finish in the fall of 2026.
This tour will be led by team members from ICA, Langer Roofing, and Bond Facade Services. We will walk the exterior of the project, noting the history, the unique features of the building, changes over time, and challenges with the project. The contractors will also share detailed material restoration information with best practices for slate roofing and historic masonry restoration.