Station project wins architectural award

September 16, 2021| Community, LHF Environmental & Cultural Center

By: Donna Macalle-Holly

On September 9, Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects was awarded a silver AIA-Newark/Suburban Merit Award for historical preservation for the Lake Hopatcong Train Station project. The New Jersey-based architecture firm specializing in the restoration and rehabilitation of historic properties was the only one to receive a Historic Preservation award.   

We cannot thank the outstanding team at Connolly & Hickey enough for nominating the station for this award and for the care and attention to detail they have put into the restoration of this amazing piece of Lake Hopatcong history. We would be remiss if we did not also thank O’Donnell Construction for their hard work and craftsmanship.  And of course, the project wouldn’t have been possible without the support from all our generous donors and grant funding provided by the New Jersey Historic Trust Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund, Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and The Hyde and Watson Foundation. 

According to Margaret M. Hickey, A.I.A., Principal Historic Preservation Specialist at  Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects:

"Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects nominated the Lake Hopatcong Train Station for the AIA-NJ/Newark & Suburban Chapter Design Award because the project highlights an important part of New Jersey history and the restoration was the positive result of collaboration between our firm, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and the primary contractor, O’Donnell Construction.  The craftsmanship that Bob O’Donnell and his team brought to the project deserved recognition and the station is an excellent example of an adaptive reuse.  Everything, after a lot of thought and design by all team members, came together extremely well within this architectural gem. 

"The nomination also provided an opportunity to highlight the value of public funding for historic preservation through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund and Preserve New Jersey grants.  Both fundings sources highlight the importance of the Secretary of Interior’s Standards in adaptive reuses and serves as vital bricks and mortar funding to sustain community support and stimulate private donations."

To learn more about and see photos of the restoration project, visit Lake Hopatcong Station Restoration Project. 

Lake Hopatcong Train Station 

THEN - 1911 Photo courtesy of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum	NOW - 2021 Photo courtesy of Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects

Project presentation courtesy of Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects