Preservation North Carolina names Michelle Michael winner of 2023 Robert E. Stipe Award

Senior Planner for Historic Preservation Michelle Michael has been named the 2023 winner of the Robert E. Stipe Professional Award.

Presented annually by Preservation North Carolina, the honor is the highest award presented to North Carolina professionals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to historic preservation above and beyond their job responsibilities. Established in 1983 to honor the contributions of Robert E. Stipe, an educator in the field of historic preservation and a mentor to a generation of preservation professionals, the award will be presented to Michael during Preservation North Carolina’s annual conference in Durham on October 4.

Michael graduated with a Master of Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Arts from Meredith College.

As Wake Forest’s Senior Planner for Historic Preservation since 2015, Michael has played a leading role in several initiatives focused on preserving Wake Forest’s history, including the restoration of the Ailey Young House. She also introduced numerous historic district walking tours, a Northeast Community walking tour, and virtual tours of local and downtown historic districts.

In addition, as the Town liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), she has organized HPC Archaeology Workshops and Historic Property Owner Workshops and is instrumental in producing the Wake Forest Woman's Club and HPC’s Christmas Historic Home Tour.

“Michelle’s dedication to serving our community and passion for preserving Wake Forest’s history make her an especially deserving recipient of Preservation North Carolina’s 2023 Robert E. Stipe Professional Award,” said Planning Director Courtney Tanner.