Mount Pleasant’s Cresco nominations ask who is keeping local history alive

Image: AI-generated illustrative photograph of generic preservation research; not a nominee, an award recipient or materials from a Mount Pleasant collection.

The work of preserving a town’s history is not limited to restoring a building. Mount Pleasant’s Cresco Historical Stewardship Award recognizes individuals, groups and organizations that preserve, restore or share the town’s physical and cultural heritage.

The Historical Commission is accepting 2026 nominations through Thursday, November 5. The town says submissions go through its OPAL application portal, where an account or sign-in is required. Read the current nomination instructions before assembling a submission, and leave time for the account step rather than beginning at the deadline.

The announced criteria consider the quality of the contribution, its approach to stewardship and its effect on public understanding of local heritage. A useful nomination therefore needs more than praise. Describe what the person or group did, what evidence shows the work and how others have been able to learn from or benefit from it.

Think about the people who make a source easier to find, a tradition easier to understand or a historic place better cared for. Confirm details with reliable records and respect permissions when using photographs or other supporting material. The nomination process can itself be a reason to recognize patient community work that often continues outside the spotlight.

Sources and visit details

• Town of Mount Pleasant: 2026 Cresco award criteria, November 5 deadline and OPAL instructions