72nd Carolopolis Awards showcases 29 preservation projects across Charleston area
On Friday, February 27, the Preservation Society of Charleston (PSC) hosted the 72nd Carolopolis Awards, presented by Carriage Properties. This year, the PSC celebrated 29 outstanding projects across the region.
“This year’s Carolopolis winning project teams tell us a lot about the health of the preservation movement in Charleston in 2026. In celebrating buildings brought back from the brink, we are witnessing a resurgence of trades education and a renewed respect for the craft traditions that built this city.” said Brian Turner, President & CEO of the Preservation Society.
Carolopolis plaques are awarded annually by the PSC, an independent nonprofit membership organization founded in 1920. Award categories include Exterior, Interior, New Construction, and Resilience. The organization also awards a Pro Merito designation, presented to previous Carolopolis award winners that have undergone a second exterior rehabilitation or restoration.
This year’s Carolopolis Awards span downtown, West Ashley, Sullivan’s Island, Edisto Island, and for the first time, Park Circle.
“The geographic range of these projects reflects a cultural shift across the Lowcountry.” said Turner. “More than ever, people throughout the Charleston region are seeing themselves as caretakers of a shared heritage. That is perhaps the most meaningful achievement of all.”
The awards were handed out Friday, February 27, before a sold-out crowd at The Grand at 81 Mary.
ABOUT THE CAROLOPOLIS AWARD:
The Carolopolis Award was created in 1953 to recognize outstanding achievement in historic preservation. The presentation of a Carolopolis Award honors extraordinary private and public efforts to maintain the historic character and authenticity of Charleston and the Lowcountry. To date, the PSC has presented more than 1,500 awards in recognition of such achievement. In 2016, the PSC introduced new awards for the preservation of historic interiors as well as compatible new construction, and further expanded the program in 2022 with the presentation of the first Resilience Carolopolis Award.
High-resolution photographs of the winning projects are available by contacting [email protected].
