The Society of Architectural Historians' SAH Celebrates gala shines a spotlight on the people that impact and steward architectural heritage. The much-anticipated annual event honors individuals and organizations who shape the built environment and advocate on behalf of historic places while raising much-needed funds to support SAH's programs, publications, and management of the Charnley-Persky House Museum.
This year’s celebration had a distinctly Midwest focus. On November 8, 2024, the Society honored four Chicago-based notables: Berglund Construction and Berglund Preservation Group; Walker Johnson, FAIA, co-founder and former President of JLK Architects; Laurie Petersen, lecturer, writer, docent, and editor of the American Institute of Architects' AIA Guide to Chicago; and Ernest "Ernie" C. Wong, FASLA, founding principal and president of site design group, ltd., and Chair of the Chicago Landmarks Commission. SAH applauded the honorees for their significant and decades-long work in building, transforming, and preserving architectural legacies in Chicago and the Midwest and for their engagement of the public in meaning-making around public and private spaces.
"These honorees have been involved with the real substance of communicating this city’s architectural richness, executing the work of restoring our shared architectural heritage, and creating opportunities for community," said Abigail Van Slyck, offering opening comments as a past SAH President and current Development Committee Chair.
SAH Executive Director Ben Thomas followed: "This recognition is not only a testament to your accomplishments but also a reflection of the impact you've had on your community, colleagues, and industry. Inspired by your work, I hope we each will leave here excited to create, maintain, and share exceptional spaces in Chicago and around the world," he said.
The evening was a thoroughly enjoyable festive gathering of more than 150 architectural practitioners, advocates, and enthusiasts from Chicago and beyond. Guests greeted acquaintances old and new, and shared their love of the built environment and architecture during the formal awards ceremony and in lively conversation over hors d'ouevres and drinks.
Honorees recalled significant moments of their careers and thanked teammates past and present who partnered in their work. Walker Johnson delighted the crowd with a story of re-lighting the lobby of the Chicago Town Hall in the 1980s. He remembered the morning the up lighting he designed was first switched on: "No one went to work that day. They all stood looking up and pointing at the ceiling; at new details they had never seen before."
Accepting on behalf of Berglund Construction, CEO Fred Berglund acknowledged the relationships built over decades between himself and many of the people in the room. He expressed his appreciation for their support and trust and emphasized that Berglund would continue its dedication to completing preservation work at the highest level of quality and with meticulous attention to detail. Joining in the recognition were Jack Tribbia, President of Berglund’s Restoration Division, and Preservation Manager, Sarah Horton, both of whom have been instrumental in the preservation of the historic Charnley-Persky House.
Laurie Petersen accepted her award on behalf of herself and the many contributors to the AIA Guide to Chicago—the definitive compendium of Chicago’s architectural treasures. Petersen praised the collaborative nature of Chicago’s architectural community and the passion and enthusiasm that each person brought to the project. Her own passion for sharing Chicago’s architectural history with the public shone through in her gracious acceptance speech.
Ernie Wong earned cheers and laughter from the audience when he paused before accepting his award and raised his smartphone to take a selfie with the entire crowd. His sense of humor permeated his acceptance speech, in which he joked that his parents had not wanted him to pursue landscape architecture but when he did, had been impatient for him to earn his FASLA certification. He knew the SAH recognition would make them proud.
SAH additionally celebrated its nearly 30-year stewardship of the Charnley-Persky House (1891-92), designed by Louis Sullivan with assistance from Frank Lloyd Wright. Since its inception in 1940, the Society had aspired to have its administrative office in a historic building. It got the chance in 1995 when Seymour Persky offered the Society the building on the condition that they move their headquarters from Philadelphia to Chicago. SAH then led the effort to have the building listed as a National Historic Landmark.
To close the ceremony, Executive Director Ben Thomas unveiled a new brand identity for the Charnley-Persky House Museum and invited guests to stay tuned for announcements of new programming coming soon.
“It has been my goal since I started just over 18 months ago to bring new life to the house, not just as an office for SAH, but also as a resource for learning about and appreciating architectural history,” he said. “We are excited to share our new look and use it to build momentum for greater awareness of what we have to offer.”
Maintaining the historic home embodies SAH's global heritage conservation work and its dedication to open and informed advocacy for the built environment and the people and cultures that shape and preserve it, he said.
Proceeds from SAH Celebrates contribute to ongoing maintenance and restoration of Charnley-Persky House Museum and underwrite the Society’s educational programs and award-winning publications.
SAH thanks everyone who supported the 2024 Celebrates fundraiser through sponsorship, ticket purchases, and donations. We hope to see you again next year.
