2026 Carolopolis Nomination Form

  • 73rd Annual Carolopolis Award Nomination Form

    Please refer to the nomination and eligibility requirements prior to making your submission.

  • Thank you for your interest in the Carolopolis Award program! Please review the following information before nominating a project. 
     
    The Carolopolis Award program was established in 1953 to promote excellence in historic preservation through recognition of projects that protect the historic resources of Charleston and the Lowcountry. Now in its 73rd year, the Carolopolis Award is a time-honored tradition celebrating the Charleston community’s commitment to preserving its rich history and heritage.  
     
    The Preservation Society of Charleston (PSC) is pleased to invite nominations in the following five award categories through Monday, September 11, 2026. 
     
     
    AWARD CATEGORIES 
     
    Projects may be nominated under multiple award categories if applicable. If you are submitting nominations in multiple categories, a separate project narrative will be required for each category.  
     
    CAROLOPOLIS AWARD - EXTERIOR: 
     
    Awarded for substantial and exceptional exterior rehabilitation, restoration, or preservation. 
     
    CAROLOPOLIS AWARD - INTERIOR: 
     
    Awarded in recognition of excellence in interior preservation of historic, publicly accessible buildings, including but not limited to houses of worship, as well as civic and cultural buildings. 
     
    CAROLOPOLIS AWARD - NEW CONSTRUCTION: 
     
    Awarded to bring focus to exemplary new construction projects. High-quality residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings are all eligible and must demonstrate compatibility with the scale of surrounding historic buildings. New construction projects are not eligible for Interior award nominations.  
     
    CAROLOPOLIS AWARD - RESILIENCE: 
     
    Awarded to projects that sensitively adapt historic properties to changing climate conditions, while adhering to best practices for historic preservation, and retaining the integrity and character of the structure. 
     
    PRO MERITO AWARD: 
     
    Awarded in recognition of rehabilitation, restoration or preservation work undertaken on properties that received an initial Carolopolis Award at least 20 years ago and have undergone a subsequent, exceptional preservation effort. 

  • ELIGIBILITY 

    • Carolopolis Awards recognize projects that demonstrate a significant scope of work and meaningful impact on the preservation of Charleston’s historic resources. While routine maintenance is an essential part of responsible stewardship, the Carolopolis Award is intended to honor substantial, transformative efforts that go beyond standard upkeep.
    • Projects must have been completed within the last three years and received all required approvals from the appropriate regulatory or preservation authorities.
    • All work must be completed by the submission date. Incomplete or partial projects will not be awarded.
    • Additions will only be considered as part of a larger rehabilitation, restoration, or preservation project.
    • Anyone can nominate projects with the consent of the property owner. Self-nominations are welcome. 
    • PSC employees shall not be eligible for an award. 
    • Properties that have received a Carolopolis Award within the past 20 years are not eligible to be re-nominated under the same category.
    • Carolopolis Award winning projects must closely adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, a series of concepts about maintaining, repairing, and replacing historic materials, as well as designing new additions or making alterations. This framework represents nationally observed best practices in historic preservation. Before nominating, please review the Standards to ensure your preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration project is consistent with these principles. 

  • NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS 

    1. Current PSC membership 
      • All nominators must be current members of the PSC. 
      • Visit our membership page to become a member or contact PSC Advancement Coordinator Kendra Rodell at krodell@preservationsociety.org or 843.722.4630 ext. 116 to verify membership status.
    2. Completed nomination form
      • All nominations require submission of a detailed project narrative, high-resolution images, and any available historical information. All submissions should be uploaded or provided via link to a file sharing platform like DropBox, Google Drive, or similar.
      • You will receive a confirmation email once your completed nomination has been received.
    3. Nomination fee
      • The $100 nomination fee can be paid by visiting our website here, or following the submission of your online nomination form, you will be re-directed to our website to pay the nomination fee. 
      • If you are nominating multiple buildings as part of a single project, a nomination form and a $100 fee must be submitted for each building. 
        • For the purposes of the Carolopolis Award program, a project is defined as the total scope of work involving any collection of associated buildings by a single project team. 
        • The nomination fee may be waived at the discretion of the PSC. If economic hardship is a factor, the applicant should include a written explanation with the nomination. 
    4. All nominations are due no later than Monday, September 11, 2026 
      • If you are unable to submit an electronic application or otherwise need accommodation, please contact PSC Preservation Specialist, Flannery Antinoro, at fantinoro@preservationsociety.org or call 843.722.4630 ext. 125 for assistance.  

  • ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 

    • Carolopolis Award decisions are guided by a multidisciplinary, independent review committee based on award eligibility criteria.
    • Special consideration will be given to projects that support generational homeownership, legacy businesses, affordable workforce housing, and/or provide meaningful community benefits.
    • If a project is selected for a Carolopolis Award, the property owner consents to the PSC’s use of any nomination materials at the Carolopolis Awards ceremony, in printed or digital publications, and as part of materials shared with local press. 
    • A representative associated with the project (owner or project team member) should be present, if feasible, at the Carolopolis Awards to receive the plaque.    
      • The Carolopolis Awards ceremony is typically held in February. The date and venue will be announced later this year.
      •  Each award-winning project team will receive two complimentary tickets for use at their discretion. All other tickets will need to be purchased in advance of the ceremony.
    • The recipient agrees to install and maintain a Carolopolis or Pro Merito Award plaque in a visible location on the primary façade of the building that received the award. Interior Carolopolis Award plaques shall be placed in a conspicuous location in the interior of the building, near its entrance.
      • The plaque may not be transferred or sold, and if it is to be permanently removed from the façade or interior for any reason, it will be returned to PSC.
      • If the plaque is subsequently lost or damaged, the property owner is responsible for the cost of replacement or repair. 

     

    View the eligibilty requirements and other information on the PSC website. 

     

  • AWARD CATEGORIES

    Please refer to the descriptions of award categories and select only those that apply. Please note that the Interior award category is only applicable to publicly accessible, historic buildings.  
  • Award Category*

  • PROPERTY INFORMATION

  • Is this property subject to a conservation easement or covenant?*
  • Has this property received any other awards?*

  • NOMINATOR INFORMATION

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Are you the property owner?*

  • * By typing your name in the field below, you are signing this form electronically. 

  • PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION

    If the property is owned by multiple individuals or a business entity, please provide names and contact information for ALL owners or a designated owner representative.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.

  • * By typing your name in the field below, you are signing this form electronically and consent to the nomination of your property for a Carolopolis Award.  

  • GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION

    Project drawings and plans should be linked via a file sharing platform. * If you have questions about linking materials within this application, please contact PSC Preservation Specialist, Flannery Antinoro, at fantinoro@preservationsociety.org for assistance.
  • If the project required Board of Architectural Review (BAR) approval, please provide the most recent BAR meeting date:
     - -

  • PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS

    Please list the names and contact information of all project team members who should be notified of the award decision and whose contributions should be recognized if awarded, including but not limited to: architects, contractors, designers, engineers, craftspeople, conservators, etc.

  • *PLEASE NOTE* Ensure that all team members are represented, and that names are spelled correctly. If this project is awarded, names will appear in the formal presentation and on all promotional materials as they appear here. 

  • PROJECT NARRATIVE

    Please provide a thorough summary of the project and why it is deserving of a Carolopolis Award. This is your opportunity to explain what makes the project particularly significant, substantial, or transformative.

  • Carolopolis Award - Exterior

    Please include information on the project in its entirety, including but not limited to the foundation, structure, siding or masonry, porches/piazzas, windows and doors, chimneys and roofing, additions, and landscaping, etc. 

    A detailed project narrative should address the following questions. As part of the scope of this project:

    • Was any historic or non-historic material removed? If so, why?
    • Was any portion of the building altered? If so, why?
    • Were any elements or details restored? If so, what evidence supported the design?
    • What materials, methods and/or treatments were used? Why?
    • Please describe any other components of this preservation project that are especially noteworthy for consideration. 
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  • PROJECT NARRATIVE

    Please provide a thorough summary of the project and why it is deserving of a Carolopolis Award. This is your opportunity to explain what makes the project particularly significant, substantial, or transformative.

  • Carolopolis Award - Interior

    Please include information on the project in its entirety, including windows and doors, floors, mantels, woodwork, plaster, ornamentation, finishes, creative approaches to conditioning and lighting, or any other interior elements involved in the project scope.

    A detailed project narrative should address the following questions. As part of the scope of this project:

    • Was any historic or non-historic material removed? If so, why?
    • Was any portion of the building altered? If so, why?
    • Were any elements or details restored? If so, what evidence supported the design?
    • What materials, methods and/or treatments were used? Why?
    • Please describe any other components of this preservation project that are especially noteworthy for consideration. 
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  • PROJECT NARRATIVE

    Please provide a thorough summary of the project and why it is deserving of a Carolopolis Award. This is your opportunity to explain what makes the project particularly significant, substantial, or transformative.

  • Carolopolis Award - Pro Merito Award

    Please include information on the project in its entirety, including but not limited to the foundation, structure, siding or masonry, porches/piazzas, windows and doors, chimneys and roofing, additions, and landscaping, etc. 

    A detailed project narrative should address the following questions. As part of the scope of this project:

    • Was any historic or non-historic material removed? If so, why?
    • Was any portion of the building altered? If so, why?
    • Were any elements or details restored? If so, what evidence supported the design?
    • What materials, methods and/or treatments were used? Why?
    • Please describe any other components of this preservation project that are especially noteworthy for consideration. 
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  • PROJECT NARRATIVE

    Please provide a thorough summary of the project and why it is deserving of a Carolopolis Award. This is your opportunity to explain what makes the project particularly significant, substantial, or transformative.

  • Carolopolis Award - New Construction

    Exemplary new construction reflects high-quality design, construction methods, and materials, and, if in a historic context, sensitively responds to existing architectural patterns, and the scale of buildings within the streetscape and surrounding neighborhood or district. A detailed project narrative should provide a thorough explanation of the project's merit and speak to its compatibility with its surroundings. 

    Please answer the following questions focusing on the exceptional nature of the design, material palette, details, and finishes. 

    • How does the project reflect exemplary design, construction, and material choice?
    • How does this project enhance the character of the neighborhood/district?
    • How does the building's height, scale, and mass sensitively respond to adjacent structures and fit within the streetscape and context?
    • Please describe any other components of the project that are especially noteworthy.
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  • PROJECT NARRATIVE

    Please provide a thorough summary of the project and why it is deserving of a Carolopolis Award. This is your opportunity to explain what makes the project particularly significant, substantial, or transformative.

  • Carolopolis Award - Resilience

    Sensitively designed climate adaptation strategies provide protection for historic structures, while ensuring preservation of their character and integrity. A detailed project narrative should clearly address the need for intervention, how the solution mitigates climate challenges, and how alterations to the building respect its historic form, character, and immediate context. Please answer the following questions:

    • Describe the flooding conditions or events that prompted the adaptation project.
    • How does this project address risks posed by changing climate conditions?
    • Please describe the nature and extent of alterations to the historic structure.
    • Was any historic or non-historic material removed? If so, why?
    • What materials, methods and/or treatments were used? Why?
    • How does this approach to adaptation relate sensitively to the streetscape and/or surrounding historic context? 
    • Please describe any other components of the project that are especially noteworthy. 
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  • PROPERTY HISTORY

    An important part of the Carolopolis Award program is sharing the stories behind the buildings that bear the Carolopolis Award plaque. If you have done any research on the property or have personal memories to share, please attach your historical narrative below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide photographs, documents, or other archival materials that speak to the property's history.
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  • PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

    Please link high-resolution images, including photos taken before, during, and after construction. High quality images are crucial to understanding the scope of work and judging the merits of the project. Please link all project photos, organized in the suggested structure: "Before", During Construction", and "After". Images should be high-resolution and must be individual files.
  • Are you a member of The Preservation Society of Charleston?*

  • Please visit our memebership page to become a member! 

  • A few final notes:

    Please review your nomination prior to submittal.    

    You will receive a confirmation email once your completed nomination has been received.

    If you have any questions about about your nomination, please contact Flannery Antinoro, Preservation Specialist, at fantinoro@preservationsociety.org.

    Following the submission of your nomination form, you will be automatically re-directed to our website to pay the $100 nomination fee.

     

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