CofC Receives Carolopolis Award for Historic Preservation

The Preservation Society of Charleston awarded the College of Charleston’s 207 Calhoun project the Carolopolis Award (Pro Merito category).

The building is the home of the College’s Center for Sustainable Development, which works to prepare students for social, economic and environmental challenges.  

The prestigious award recognizes the university’s ongoing historic preservation work. The Carolopolis Awards seek to promote excellence in historic preservation through recognition of exceptional projects that protect the historic resources of Charleston and the Lowcountry.   

The 207 Calhoun project included preservation work on a building built in 1813 that was home to the Izard and Middleton families, among others. The property was also used as a parsonage for Bethel Methodist Church. The College of Charleston’s work to preserve the historic property began in 2020.    

“It’s an honor for our preservation work to be celebrated in this way,” says Laura Lee Worrell, senior project manager in Facilities Management at the College. “The Carolopolis Award exemplifies the College of Charleston’s commitment to responsible stewardship of the city we work and live in.”

The award was given during a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 27, for projects that represent significant undertakings in historic preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or new construction. 

“It is a privilege to be able to work on projects like 207 Calhoun,” says Gina Nagel ’21, project manager in Facilities Management, who did her thesis on the project while she was a student at the College of Charleston. “The significance, integrity and craftsmanship involved isn’t something a lot of people get to be a part of.”

Nagel says that 95% of work on the project was complete before the torch was passed to her to manage 207 Calhoun.

“It’s very rewarding when the city and Preservation Society of Charleston recognize the work being done at the university,” she adds. “Hats off to the amazing team that came before me. It’s an amazing full-circle moment.”