April 30, 2025

On April 30th, 2025, the New York Preservation Archive Project, in collaboration with the National Park Service and Friends of George McAneny, presented the George McAneny Award for Unsung Preservation Leadership to Jeremy Woodoff at Federal Hall National Memorial. The award presentation took place as part of the reenactment of George Washington’s 1789 inauguration as the first president of the United States. April 30th not only marked the 236th anniversary of Washington’s inauguration, but also of the day that McAneny declared Federal Hall a national historic site in 1939.

The George McAneny Award for Unsung Preservation Leadership is presented to a champion of New York City’s preservation movement who, like the award’s namesake, deserves greater recognition for work accomplished for the betterment of New York City. Woodoff demonstrated over 20 years leadership in the areas that support the preservation field including advocacy, stewardship, scholarship, and mentorship.

George McAneny’s accomplishments as a civic leader during his lifetime forever improved New York City’s public spaces. Notably, he helped preserve City Hall, the Battery, and Castle Clinton. His accomplishments did not stop at our city’s limits; McAneny helped establish the National Trust for Historic Preservation and led the Regional Plan Association, assuring his passion and expertise helped shape a broad strategy for the livability of cities that benefits us today.

This award is a revitalization of the George McAneny Medal for Outstanding Leadership in Historic Preservation, established in 1945 by the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. The medal, designed by Paul Manship, features George McAneny who served as president of the Society. Presented into the 1990s, award recipients from around the country included Luise du Pont Crowninshield, Charles Culp “C.C.” Burlingham, General Ulysses Simpson Grant, III, Robert W. Dowling, William Sumner Appleton, Ronald Lee, and David Finley. Friends of George McAneny revived the award at the New York Preservation Archive Project’s 2020 Bard Birthday Breakfast Benefit, bestowing the honor to Shirley McKinney, Superintendent of Manhattan Sites for the National Park Service.

This year, preservationist Jeremy Woodoff received the award for his decades of contributions to the historic preservation movement in New York. Woodoff served as Deputy Director of Preservation at the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) from the early 1980s to 2000. During his tenure, he reviewed Parks Department projects, oversaw street reconstructions, and created the Department of Transportation (DOT) Guidelines that set a standard for street surfaces, sidewalks, curbs, lighting, signals, fire hydrants, and other public fixtures that shape public projects in New York today.

Following his tenure at LPC, Woodoff became a planner in the Historic Preservation Office of the New York Department of Design and Construction (DDC). In this position, he supported DDC in designing and reviewing infrastructure and public building projects. To this day, Woodoff remains actively involved in preservation efforts through organizations including the Victorian Society New York and Save America’s Clocks.

In his remarks, Woodoff demonstrated his ongoing humility and generosity, taking the time to thank many other “unsung” individuals who impacted his career.