Leesburg, VA (July 8, 2026) – The Joint Architectural Review Board of Loudoun County, of which the Town of Leesburg is a participating member, is seeking nominations for the Community Blue Ribbon Award, which recognizes historic preservation and restoration projects across the county. Nominations for the award are being overseen by the Town of Leesburg’s Historic Preservation staff this year.
Nominated projects must be physically located in Loudoun County (which includes the incorporated towns of Leesburg, Hamilton, Hillsboro, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill) and construction must be completed by the time the nomination is submitted for consideration. The project does not have to be located in an historic district.
Nominations should illustrate the preservation of an historic resource, landscape, or significant cultural resource. An eligible project might consist of a harmonious addition to an historic building, a restoration or rehabilitation project, an adaptive reuse of an historic building, the preservation of a significant archeological site, or some other project which otherwise protects or enhances one of Loudoun County’s historic or cultural resources.
Past winners are not eligible for a second award but projects that were nominated and did not win may be nominated again. Past winners of the Community Blue Ribbon Award include the renovation and restoration of the historic Douglass High School, the segregation museum inside Frederick Douglass Elementary School, the restoration of the Waterford Mill, and restoration projects at private residences.
Nominations may be submitted online at www.leesburgva.gov/blueribbonaward. The deadline to submit a nomination is July 31. Winners will be notified prior to the awards ceremony scheduled for late September 2026.
Winners will be selected by members of the Joint Architectural Review Board, which this year includes representatives of the Leesburg Board of Architectural Review, the Loudoun County Historic District Review Committee, and the Middleburg Historic District Review Committee..
The Joint Architectural Review Board is a nationally recognized awards program between the Towns of Leesburg, Purcellville, and Middleburg, Loudoun County, and the Loudoun Preservation Society to recognize outstanding projects in the locally designated historic districts across the County. The program began in 2008 and has recognized over 150 examples of architectural excellence and successful preservation projects in the four participating jurisdictions. In 2011, a community-wide category was added, known as the Community Blue Ribbon Award, which allows individuals to nominate projects of great importance to them, regardless of location. These projects can be anywhere in Loudoun County, including the incorporated Towns, and need not be located within designated historic districts. The Blue Ribbon category can also be applied to unique preservation projects beyond the architectural.
Questions may be directed to Preservation Planner Ashleigh Goedeke at agoedeke@leesburgva.gov.
Media Contact:
Kara Rodriguez, Public Information Officer
pio@leesburgva.gov 703-669-1425
