Date: November 4, 2009
Contact: Dave Baber, Administrator, Broward County Historical Commission
E-mail: Dbaber@broward.org
Phone: 954-357-5554
The Broward County Historical Commission and the City of Hallandale Beach, co-sponsored the 2009 Pioneer Day Awards ceremony, held October 17, at the Hallandale Beach Cultural Community Center. The event was hosted by Hallandale Beach Vice Mayor Bill Julian.
Pioneer Day, held annually since 1973, honors Broward County pioneers and recognizes individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to historical preservation, research, advocacy and education. Each year, pioneers are selected by local historical societies and municipalities for their unique contributions to the vitality of Broward County. This year, 32 individuals from 15 communities were honored as pioneers at the event.
Additionally, the Historical Commission presented four special awards to individuals or organizations that have made significant local contributions to historic preservation, research, advocacy or education.
• The Judge Clayton Nance Award was presented to ArtSpace Projects, Inc., America's leading non-profit real estate developer for their significant role in securing new space for the Broward County Historical Commission. The Historical Commission, long housed on the second floor of a nondescript building attached to a parking garage, is now in the restored historic West Side School. Of 32 such projects undertaken by ArtSpace in the United States, this was its first in Florida and consists of the renovation of the school site and a new 37-unit affordable apartment complex for artists. The project, which took almost 10 years to complete, was a team effort with Fort Lauderdale, Broward County and Lennar Corporation.
• The Dr. Cooper Kirk Award was presented to Greg Durden, attorney at law, in recognition of his efforts to educate the public concerning the significant local history of the African-American community in Broward County, especially as it relates to Brown vs. the Board of Education and the John U. Lloyd "Black Beach" commemoration marker. Durden's efforts mirror those of Dr. Cooper Kirk, the first Broward County Historian and author of many historical works, whose dedication to historical research and spreading knowledge of the history of the county was unparalleled.
• The Stuart McIver Historians Award was presented to the Oakland Park Historical Society for their newly published book, Oakland Park, which continues the tradition of the late Historical Commissioner Stuart McIver, who wrote many first-class, well - researched books and other publications.
• The Historical Commission Award was presented to Cosmo (Cos) Tornese for his help in completing the construction work of the West Side School project. Tornese, who has lived in Broward County for more than 40 years, has spent his entire career in the building engineering and construction oversight fields.
To view event photos and read biographical information on award recipients, visit www.broward.org/history and click PIONEER DAY.
The Broward County Historical Commission, the official historic preservation agency for Broward County, encourages residents and their communities to promote the unique archaeological and historical legacy of Broward County and to utilize the tools and financial incentives available to accomplish this effort.
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