This year marks the 9th annual awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation, co-sponsored by the Historic Preservation Office and the DC Preservation League.  Our generous host for the 2012 awards is the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, built in 1906-8 for the Adas Israel congregation. The program gets underway at 6:30 pm followed immediately by a reception sponsored in part by following: Douglas Development, The JBG Companies, EHT Traceries, Forrester Construction, R2L:Architects PLLC, Hartman-Cox Architects, Goulston&Storrs and the following donors - Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP, GCS-SIGAL, Inc., James G. Davis (DAVIS) Construction Company, Forest City Washington, Nixon Peabody LLP, Perkins Eastman Architects, and Wagner Roofing.

Located within the Downtown Historic District, the building is the work of architect Louis Levi and builder Arthur Cowsill. It was designed under the influence of the Byzantine, Romanesque, and Moorish styles and features a brick exterior with terra cotta details and a red tile roof on each of its five domes.  

When the Adas Israel congregation outgrew the facility, they moved to Cleveland Park and sold this building in 1951 to the Turner Memorial AME Church. After 50 years, the building was put up for sale again and through the support of Abe Pollin, Shelton Zuckerman, and Douglas Jemal, the building has been returned for use by the Jewish community of Washington. 

Beginning in 2002, the Synagogue was meticulously renovated on the exterior and interior with new and restored stained glass, a new roof, reconstructed bimah, and a gorgeous painted dome. The beauty and grandeur of the building is sure to provide an exquisite setting for the awards ceremony and reception.