Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Amy Wyatt (above left) presents Georgia Kestol-Bauer with the 2024 Wisconsin Historical Society Board of Curators Historic Restoration Award to Georgia Kestol-Bauer for her efforts in restoring the old Heart Prairie Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of Richmond. Kestol-Bauer spent over 15 years on this restoration effort, completing the job last year. The presentation took place on October 6.

The old church building (above) is a fine example of a pioneer-era Greek Revival style building that served as a church from the 1850s to the 1880s. It is one of only a few buildings of its type in the area and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance. According to Whitewater Historical Society President Carol Cartwright, who submitted the application for the Board of Curators award, the restoration that Ms. Kestol-Bauer accomplished for the building is “museum quality” and has preserved an important historic landmark from Wisconsin’s pioneer era.

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by Carol Cartwright.