This year’s Preservation Hero Award was presented to Joyce Barrett, former executive director of Heritage Ohio.
Joyce Barrett was hired in January 2004, as the program associate for Downtown Ohio/Heritage Ohio. She was promoted to Director of Preservation in 2007, and then Executive Director later that year.
16 years ago, Joyce Barrett, Gene Krebs and State Senator Schuring drafted and passed the state’s historic rehabilitation tax credit, which has resulted in millions of dollars of investment in Ohio.
In 2017, Heritage Ohio, Inc. was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with the John H. Chaffee Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Policy, thanks to the work of Joyce.
Over her 15-year tenure, Joyce led the organization through her consummate understanding of the issues, political savvy, and unflappable resolve. She taught us how to Save the Places That Matter, Build Community, and Live Better.
Joyce was presented with the Preservation Hero award at her retirement party in early June 2022.