Several individuals, organizations, and preservation projects from St. Augustine and St. Johns County received statewide recognition during the 2026 Florida Preservation Awards, highlighting the region’s continued leadership in protecting and celebrating Florida’s historic heritage. The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation presented the awards during the 2026 Preserve Florida Conference in St. Petersburg on May 14. A statewide jury of preservation professionals selected the recipients from public nominations recognizing excellence in historic preservation, placemaking, restoration, and community service.
“We are proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the 2026 Florida Preservation Awards recipients,” said Florida Trust Board President Ennis Davis. “Their unwavering commitment to preservation inspires us all.”
Among the highest honors presented was the President’s Award, which recognizes lifelong achievement and leadership in preservation. The Florida Trust awarded the honor to Gordon “Gordie” J. Wilson, former superintendent of the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments.
Wilson dedicated more than 33 years to managing and preserving two of Florida’s most significant historic sites. During his tenure, he secured more than $20 million for preservation and visitor services, expanded volunteer programs, strengthened relationships with local Native American tribes, and helped guide St. Augustine through major milestones, including the city’s 450th commemoration. His leadership during Hurricane Matthew and the COVID-19 pandemic further cemented his legacy as a steward of Florida’s historic resources.
The Individual Distinguished Service Award went to Paul Weaver, a preservation consultant and historian whose nearly five decades of work have shaped historic preservation efforts throughout St. Augustine and Florida. Weaver helped pioneer preservation research methodologies, prepared numerous National Register of Historic Places nominations, and played a key role in protecting many of St. Augustine’s historic districts, landmarks, and cultural resources.
The St. Johns County Black Heritage Trail earned recognition in the Preserving Place category for its efforts to showcase more than 450 years of Black history in Northeast Florida. The trail highlights 20 historic sites and chronicles the county’s role in pivotal moments of American history, from the founding of Fort Mose- the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in the United States- to the Civil Rights Movement events that helped influence passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Two local preservation projects also received honors in the Conservation, Preservation, Maintenance and Repair category.
The restoration of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest African American congregation in West Augustine, preserved a landmark deeply connected to St. Augustine’s civil rights history. Restoration efforts stabilized the historic structure, rebuilt its steeple, restored stained-glass windows, and returned the church to active community use.
The rehabilitation of the historic DeMedici House also earned recognition. Property owner Gabriel “Gabe” Wicks restored the 19th-century home’s historic architectural features while adapting it for modern residential use, enhancing both the property’s integrity and the streetscape of the St. Augustine National Historic District.
Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation continues to recognize projects and individuals whose work ensures Florida’s history remains protected and accessible for future generations. For more information on what they do, visit their website here.
