LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Their valiant efforts to save a 180-year-old house in downtown London earned a Corbin woman and three Sentinel-Echo staff members the Service Award during a ceremony in Frankfort on Tuesday.

The 33rd Annual Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Historic Preservation Awards were held at the Governor’s Executive Mansion and recognized the contributions of businesses and individuals to preserve the state’s historic relics.

Receiving recognition from Laurel County were Donna Horn-Taylor, who called in officials from various preservation organizations in an effort to save what is known as the Pennington House from demolition last fall. Horn-Taylor holds a degree in architectural design from Eastern Kentucky University and spearheaded many public meetings with officials and individuals regarding options for the Victorian-style house situated on Broad Street behind the new Laurel County Judicial Center.

The Pennington House, last owned by London attorney Tom Weatherly, was purchased by the Laurel County Fiscal Court and slated for demolition for a one-level parking facility. Efforts to save the house were unsuccessful and as the new year dawned, the house was destroyed and removed. Construction for a parking facility on that property and the property adjoining it alongside Broad Street is now being excavated.

While accepting the award, Horn-Taylor said the fate of the Pennington House was “a done deal” before the public became aware of its potential demolition. Horn-Taylor worked with state preservation organizations to find options for the home, including removing the structure to another location. The Pennington House was once the home of Dr. R. V. Pennington, the founder of Pennington Hospital which later became Marymount Hospital. The original Pennington Hospital building still stands and currently houses the First National Bank of Manchester on Main Street in London.

Sentinel-Echo staff members recognized during the ceremony were Staff Writer Nita Johnson, former editor Julie Nelson-Harris and former reporter Tara Kaprowy. Johnson accepted the award on behalf of the London newspaper and stated, “Our newspaper tries to reflect the events in the community and the support to save the Pennington House was a community concern.”

The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation Historic Preservation Awards honors Ms. Willis for her dedication to saving historic sites within the state. She was instrumental in preserving the Vest-Lindsey House in Frankfort and was Kentucky’s first Preservation Officer. In 1999 the Kentucky Trust for Historic Preservation was established through Willis’ efforts.

This year, Robert M. “Bob” Polsgrove took home the  Ida Lee Willis Memorial Award, the top honor of the Historic Preservation Foundation. Those also receiving awards for preservation projects included the Eastside Revitalization Project in Covington, which took 70 abandoned buildings on the east side of the city and began renovation. Currently 40 of those buildings have been restored for $11.9 million and has created over 403 jobs in the area.

The Louisville Water Company Pump Station 1, built in 1860, was the first public water system in Kentucky and was placed on the National Historic Register in 1971. Through a $2 million restoration effort, the pump station has been restored.

The West-Metcalfe House on Mill Springs Battlefield in Wayne County was the third preservation project recognized during Tuesday’s award ceremonies. That home, in a dire state of disrepair, was rebuilt after two walls had completely collapsed. The renovation and restoration efforts restored two original chimneys and refurbished the home to its original glory, with boards cut with large hand saws. The West-Metcalfe House served as a Civil War hospital in addition to being a residence throughout its history.

The “Service to Preservation” awards, which included the category for Horn-Taylor and Sentinel-Echo staff, also included the Landmark Association of Bowling Green and Warren County, formed in 1976, for their restoration of a 1928 pump house. Lynda Closson of Stanford was recognized for her work with the restoration and preservation of Duncan Tavern, which is the oldest tavern in Kentucky and now serves as the state office for Daughters of the American Revolution.

An elementary, middle school and high school student was also awarded in the 13th annual Statewide Photo-Essay competition which was co-sponsored by Preservation Kentucky Inc. and the Kentucky Heritage Council. Those receiving awards were Drayden Zaring, a fifth grade student at Holy Trinity School in Prospect, Ky., for her photos and essay on the Henry Clay Hotel. Mason Miller, a sixth grade student at Harlan Independent School in Harlan, photographed and wrote about the Putney Ranger Station on Pine Mountain. Andrew Segal, an 11th grade student at DuPont Manual High School in Louisville, wrote about Louisville businessman Gary Kleier, who designed his home to use geo-thermal energy.