CAMBRIDGE — The Cambridge Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) took time to celebrate the contributions of organizations and individuals who have dedicated significant effort and resources into projects that restore a piece of the city’s past. The first HPC Awards took place May 27 at City Council Chambers, located at 305 Gay St. The inaugural winners represent a diverse group of preservation projects focused on promoting, preserving and protecting the unique history of Cambridge. “The City of Cambridge is very fortunate to have such a strong historical heritage, and so it seems only fitting that the Historic Preservation Commission establish an annual Historical Preservation Awards Program,” said HPC Chairperson Tish Weichmann. “The recipients of these awards have added value to the Community by preserving the unique design and character of these historically designated properties.” The Friends of Stanley Institute, Inc. has earned the Preservation Project Award for its rehabilitation of Christ Rock Church and cultural landscape. The organization, which was also responsible for rehabbing The Stanley Institute across the road, has raised approximately $350,000 in grant funds from multiple sources for Christ Rock and to complete this significant part of African-American culture within the City of Cambridge. NOVO Development and Hill-Kimmel Contracting have earned the Commercial Rehabilitation award for their work at 429 Race St., home of the downtown bakery Black Water. Like Friends of Stanley Institute, NOVO and Hill-Kimmel have tackled more than one challenging preservation project. NOVO was also responsible for the rehab of buildings that now host eateries The High Spot and Stoked. Hill-Kimmel has had a hand in numerous downtown projects, most recently on the ongoing high-profile Four Corners building on the corner of Poplar and High streets. George Vojtech took on the challenge of restoring a home gutted by a four alarm fire at 202 High St. in 2008, and his work to date has earned him the Residential Preservation Award. The building was constructed in 1790. The West End Citizens Association also was awarded the Preservation Service award for its research, publication and interpretation program. The group’s research and historic walking tours have introduced many visitors and residents to the city’s rich architectural history and positioned it as a steward for the movement of historic preservation in Cambridge. Nominations were accepted from the community for projects that had a positive impact on historic resources in Cambridge, the quality of completed work, the project or individual’s ability to serve as an example for historic preservation, the project or individual’s contribution to educating the public, and the application of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Nominations for next year’s awards are already being accepted via e-mail, and can be sent to Planning Assistant LaSara Kinser at lkinser@choosecambridge.com. The HPC’s mandate is to safeguard Cambridge’s heritage and its broadly visible waterfront within the Historic District. To accomplish this, the HPC is required to review and issue Certificates of Appropriateness (COA’s) for all exterior alterations to property in the historic district, including alterations that cannot be seen from the street or water based on specific guidelines. This includes restoration, rehabilitation, new construction, renovations, and major landscaping as well as replacing building components, such as roofs, doors, windows, porches, railings, and curb cuts. The commission meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers.