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
Madison Trust Preservation Partners $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.

2026 Award Recipients

The Madison Trust for Historic Preservation is thrilled to announce the recipients of its Historic Preservation Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to preservation in Madison, Wisconsin. These awards reflect the Madison Trust's commitment to preserving the rich history and cultural identity of Madison. The award recipients have demonstrated exceptional dedication to preservation, aligning with the Madison Trust's mission to promote awareness and appreciation of local heritage. The awards recognize the importance of community participation in preservation efforts and highlight the impact of preservation on Madison's architectural legacy. The recipients have made significant contributions to preservation, serving as a model for others to follow in preserving the city's unique heritage.

2026 Honorable Mentions

Our two honorable mention projects represent thoughtful and well-executed examples of preservation at the residential level. These projects demonstrate the care, responsibility, and attention to detail that stewardship of historic homes requires, ensuring that important architectural features are maintained and preserved for the future. While more modest in scope, they reflect the essential, ongoing work that sustains our historic neighborhoods and serves as a strong model for homeowners committed to preservation.