2019 Dr. Winter Award Honorees
Catherine P. Phelps and Lewis M. Phelps
Since 2004, the Blinn House Foundation has recognized individuals within our community with the distinguished Dr. Robert Winter Award, an acknowledgement of their commitment to our local history and preservation of our historic assets.
This year we are proud to honor Catherine P. Phelps and Lewis M. Phelps for their exceptional commitment to increased public awareness and preservation of historic resources.
Cathy and Lew have been engaged advocates for historic preservation in Pasadena for over 30 years. Both served six-year terms on the Board of Pasadena Heritage, including as Board Chair. Together they were instrumental in launching Pasadena Heritage’s annual Craftsman Weekend, one of the two largest Arts and Crafts events in the United States, now in its 28th year.
Lew’s background in public relations, crisis management and messaging has been an effective tool in bringing public awareness to local preservation issues and answering threats to historic resources. Cathy’s background in interior design includes pro bono services on various projects for Pasadena Heritage and Heritage Housing Partners, where Cathy served on the Board for several years. Cathy also served six years on Pasadena’s Historic Preservation Commission.
Living what they preach, Cathy and Lew have restored four historic homes in various parts of the country, including their current 1907-1908 Madison Heights residence designed by noted Pasadena architect Frederick Louis Roehrig.
Don't miss this annual favorite honoring those in our community who have and continue to make Pasadena such an incredible place to live, work, and play!
The BHF Annual Dr. Robert Winter Award
The Dr. Winter Award
Since 2004, the Blinn House Foundation has recognized individuals within our local community with the distinguished Dr. Robert Winter Award in acknowledgement of their commitment to our local history and preservation of our historic assets. The circle of past awardees has rapidly come to represent the "Who's Who" of historic preservation and restoration in Pasadena.
About Dr. Winter
July 17, 1924 - February 9, 2019
On February 9, 2019, the world lost a great man. For over 60 years, Dr. Robert Winter served many roles including college professor, author, preservation advocate, musician, and friend. Bob’s deep understanding and appreciation of the built environment, and those who produced and lived in that environment, was a beacon for the novice, and source of detail and context for the already initiated. Bob will continue to contribute to the Pasadena community and beyond through his books, articles, lectures, and the remembrances of people with whom he interacted.
The Blinn House Foundation is proud that Bob lent his name to the recognition of individuals who made significant contributions to the preservation of Pasadena’s historic resources. The Dr. Robert Winter Award will continue to keep Bob’s name at the forefront of historic preservation for years to come.
Please join us as we celebrate Bob's legacy with the annual Dr. Robert Winter Award honoring Cathy and Lew Phelps, including a special tribute to Bob.Dr. Robert Winter received his B.A. in 1947 from Dartmouth and his Ph.D. in 1957 from Johns Hopkins University. He settled at Occidental College in 1963, where he is now the Arthur G. Coons professor of the History of Ideas, Emeritus.
Dr. Winter was probably best known as co-author of the Guide to Architecture in Los Angeles and Southern California, which has a reputation as the “bible” of L.A. architecture. In addition to his architectural guides to L.A., he published a guide to architecture of San Francisco and Northern California, books on the California Bungalow, The Social History of Museum Space and Towards a Simpler Way of Life: The Arts and Crafts Architects of California.
Dr. Winter participated in the development of the Cultural Heritage Ordinance of the City of Pasadena, one of the first in the State of California. He was a member of the first Commission established by the ordinance, which designated the Blinn House as Cultural Heritage Landmark #16 of the City of Pasadena in 1977.
Please join us as we celebrate Bob's legacy with the annual Dr. Robert Winter Award honoring Cathy and Lew Phelps, including a special tribute to Bob.
Past Dr. Winter Awardees
2004 Dr. Robert Winter
2005 Claire Bogaard
2006 Sue Mossman
2007 Edward "Ted" Bosley
2008 William W. Ellinger III
2009 Mic Hansen
2010 Ann Scheid
2011 Peyton Hall
2012 Bob Kneisel & John Merritt
2013 John Ripley
2014 Dr. Robert Winter
2015 Timothy Gregory
2017 James Ipekjian
2018 Ellen and Harvey Knell