2015 Josiah Durfee Award Winner – Neighborhood Spirit category
The Josiah Durfee Award is given at the discretion of the NPA’s Board of Directors on behalf of the NPA membership to the local citizen or organization that has made the most significant positive contribution to NPA’s mission. Outstanding achievement in historic preservation may be a single event or a cumulative contribution over several years.
Awarded to Chris Owens and Noblesville Main Street Noblesville Main Street is this year’s recipient of the Josiah Durfee Neighborhood Award. Under the leadership of Chris Owens, Exectuive Director, Noblesville Main Street has received both state and national accreditation.
Through events and programs like First Fridays, the Street Dance, the Farmers Market, the Back to School Bash, and numerous others, Noblesville Main Street seeks to actively promote our historic downtown while bringing people into our neighborhood to see all that downtown Noblesville has to offer. Noblesville Main Street has a mission to lead and organize community resources to develop and promote the cultural vitality of downtown Noblesville, while preserving and enhancing authentic historic assets.
Chris calls downtown Noblesville home both professionally and personally. He and his wife, Maggie, bought and have been restoring their home on Conner Street since 2012. They enjoy raising their son Wyatt (5), daughter Caroline (2), and their beagle Sparky within walking distance of so many Noblesville events. When they’re not enjoying events, you might find them taking a family walk around town and getting ice cream at Alexander’s on the Square.
