This award takes its name from Mimi Findlay of New Canaan, whose career has encompassed many aspects of the preservation movement — professionally, as an historical society director and preservation consultant, and personally as a board member and volunteer for local, statewide, and national preservation organizations, including as a Trustee and chair of Preservation Connecticut and a founder of Connecticut Preservation Action. Mimi has allowed Preservation Connecticut to use her name and legacy to recognize young preservationists whose early achievements and future promise exemplify the dedication and accomplishments that Mimi has brought to her work.
Sensitive architectural design is crucial to preserving historic buildings and adapting them to new uses. But often need help to understand the significance and context of the structures they work on, and to negotiate the bureaucratic processes of approvals and certification — particularly for the tax credits which often make preservation projects economically viable. This year’s recipient of the Mimi Findlay Award for Young Preservationists does just that. She is Nina Caruso, Director of Historic Preservation for Crosskey Architects in Hartford.
Nina joined Crosskey Architects in 2014. She applied for the job at the urging of her predecessor in the position, with whom she had worked as a high-school intern. She began by working on historic tax credit applications, and over the years her role has expanded into designing and recommending preservation treatment methods and performing conditions assessments, as well as business development, and preservation advocacy. Today, as Director of Historic Preservation, Nina oversees much of the preservation work that makes up a large portion of the firm’s practice. In addition, she provides a valuable link between the firm and the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service, which must process and approve tax credit projects. As the firm’s qualified expert, she also makes presentations about the Federal and Connecticut Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit programs, historic preservation and Sustainability, and heritage landscapes.
Key preservation projects on which Nina has worked at Crosskey include:
Spectra Boutique Apartments, Hartford: the Hotel America in Constitution Plaza, built in 1964, was adapted to overcome some of its urban-renewal shortcomings.
Wheeler, Security, and Harral [rhymes with Farrell] Buildings in downtown Bridgeport: apartments and retail spaces woven through three early-twentieth-century commercial buildings.
J.R. Montgomery Mill in Windsor Locks: this big factory on a beautiful but difficult Site overlooking the Connecticut River was converted to 160 apartments.
Capitol Lofts, Hartford: the former Pratt and Whitney Machine Shop from the 1890s, a high-profile apartment conversion, just a block from the State Capitol.
Capewell Lofts, Hartford: a challenging project to convert the long-vacant Capewell Horse Nail Factory of 1903 to residential use.
And, the Neiditz Building, Hartford, another 2021 award recipient. In addition to design and tax credit work, Nina wrote the National Register nomination for the building.
By the way, in addition to earning historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits, every one of these projects received a Merit Award from Preservation Connecticut, through a nomination which Nina prepared. Not only does she help shape successful rehabilitation projects — she can craft compelling nominations, too.
In addition to her day-to-day work, Nina is the Vice President of Connecticut Preservation Action, the preservation community’s unified voice at the State Capital. She has been the Secretary of the Bloomfield Historic District Committee since 2019 and she serves on the Southington YMCA Property Committee. She is also passionate about Cultural Landscape preservation and has led interpretive tours at Camp Santanoni, a National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site.
Nina has already accomplished a great deal in her short career, and she aspires to continue working in historic preservation for many years to come. She is currently seeking additional experience in the practice of architecture in hopes of one day becoming a Certified Historical Architect. We look forward to many more great things from her.