The Bess Garner Historic Preservation Award celebrates the best of preservation by recognizing individuals and organization whose contributions demonstrate excellence in historic preservation in the City of Claremont.
Claremont’s history is embodied in building, structure, sites and objects that provide a tangible link to the people, events and patterns that have shaped Claremont’s growth and development.  The Award recognizes the efforts of individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, projects and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to the community through preservation.


The following have been presented with the Bess Garner Historic Preservation Award:

2023 - CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
2022 - WHEELER & WHEELER ARCHITECTS

2021 - CLAREMONT WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
2020 - JOHN DOMINGUEZ
2019 - PITZER COLLEGE
2018 -THE WEBB SCHOOLS
2017 - RAY ADAMYK and SPECTRA COMPANY
2016 - PILGRIM PLACE
2015 - CITY OF CLAREMONT
2014 - SCRIPPS COLLEGE
2013 - THE TUCKER SCHOEMAN VENTURE (ARCHITECTS)
2012 - POMONA COLLEGE
2011 - ARTECO PARTNERS
2010 - GINGER ELLIOTT
2009 - JUDY WRIGHT



The Cultural Heritage Award celebrates individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates outstanding contributions to the cultural heritage of the City of Claremont and beyond. Claremont’s history is not only embodied in its built environment but also in the individuals, groups and organizations who have contributed to art, music, literature, religion, philosophy, architecture, transportation, science, technology and business. The recipient(s) will have lived or worked in Claremont for a minimum of three years, may now live/work elsewhere, but have contributed to the city, the community and the world in their specific area of endeavor. In a greater sense, the work of the recipient(s) contributes to what makes Claremont "Claremont" and what this individual, group or organization has done to enhance that unique community feeling that is difficult to define, but that every Claremonter recognizes—a sense of place and belonging.

The following have been presented with the Cultural Heritage Award:

2023 - SCRIPPS FINE ARTS FOUNDATION
2022 - CLAREMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2021 - RICHARD MARTINEZ
2020 - CLAREMONT COURIER
2019 - CLAREMONT MUSEUM OF ART
2018 - RANCHO SANTA ANA BOTANIC GARDEN
2017 - WOLFE'S MARKET
2016 - FIRST STREET GALLERY ART CENTER
2015 - Poet CLAUDIA RANKINE and Filmmaker JOHN LUCAS
2014 - BETTY DAVENPORT FORD
2013 - PAUL DARROW
2012 - FOLK MUSIC CENTER
2011 - KARL BENJAMIN
2010 - HARRISON AND MARGUERITE MCINTOSH