State Historical Society of Iowa Board of Trustees Chair Tova Brandt, right, presents the Adrian D. Anderson Award (2016) for the Blair House project during the Preserve Iowa Summit this month in Fort Dodge. Contributed image

Washington’s Blair House was recently one of six projects recognized at the Preserve Iowa Summit in Fort Dodge.

The State Historical Society of Iowa recently announced preservation awards for projects across Iowa and the Blair House was selected. The awards are presented to projects that demonstrate historic preservation practices, and meet standards for the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and use the State Historic Preservation and Cultural and Entertainment District Tax Credit Program. The award recognizes outstanding historic preservation of a project having total qualified costs of less than $500,000.

The Blair House was built in 1880 by Winfield Smouse. It had been designated for demolition in the 1970s, but was saved by local preservationists. The home features a mansard roof and sits across the street from the historic and restored State Theatre.