Historic Hotels of America® Selects The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for its Prestigious 2026 Historic Hotels of America® Steward of History and Historic Preservation Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 12, 2026 ----- Historic Hotels of America^® announced today that it has selected The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, steward of the world’s largest US history museum, as recipient of its 2026 Historic Hotels of America^® Steward of History and Historic Preservation Award. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels in the United States.

Presented annually, this distinguished award recognizes organizations and individuals whose extraordinary leadership has advanced the preservation, restoration, interpretation, and long-term stewardship of places that embody our nation’s history. Recipients are selected by a distinguished panel of historians, preservation experts, hospitality leaders, and travel media professionals. The award honors those whose vision, dedication, and commitment ensure that irreplaceable historic landmarks, cultural landscapes, and the stories they represent continue to educate, inspire, and enrich future generations.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation stands as one of the world’s most respected preservation organizations. Encompassing hundreds of restored, reconstructed, and historically significant buildings across more than 300 acres of Virginia’s colonial capital, Colonial Williamsburg has established the international standard for authentic historic preservation, interpretation, education, and heritage tourism. Celebrating 100 years supporting historic preservation in 2026, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation advanced its mission for that celebration and for the nation’s 250th anniversary through major historic restorations, history programming for visitors and students, and expanded national teacher education programs.

The 2026 Historic Hotels of America Steward of History and Historic Preservation Award will be presented to Carly Fiorina, President and CEO of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, at the Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Gala during the 2026 Historic Hotels Annual Conference at the Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection in Williamsburg, Virginia, on October 15, 2026, in front of an audience of owners, general managers, and other senior decision makers representing many of the finest historic hotels from across the United States of America and from around the world. The Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence honor historic preservation and timeless hospitality at historic hotels in various categories each year.

Founded in 1926 through the vision of the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and the extraordinary philanthropy of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, the Foundation has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to preserving, restoring, interpreting, and sharing America’s colonial capital. During the past century, that commitment has never wavered, establishing an unparalleled legacy of preservation that has inspired museums, preservation organizations, and heritage destinations throughout the United States and around the world. Through a century of continuous stewardship, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has enabled millions of visitors to experience these extraordinary places and gain a deeper appreciation of the people and events that shaped our nation.

“As The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation enters its second century, our nation is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Few institutions have done more to preserve and interpret the places where the ideals of liberty, representative government, and self-governance were debated, refined, and ultimately forged into the foundations of our Republic,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “Since its own founding, the organization has demonstrated that historic preservation is not simply about protecting remarkable buildings—it is about preserving the places where history happened, inspiring lifelong learning, strengthening civic understanding, and ensuring that future generations can experience our nation’s heritage in authentic and meaningful ways.”

“We are honored to accept this prestigious award, which so perfectly captures Colonial Williamsburg’s legacy of pioneering historic preservation and education over the last 100 years,” said Carly Fiorina, CEO of Colonial Williamsburg. “The story of our nation’s founding lies within the carefully preserved walls, roofs and floorboards of Williamsburg, which was the crucible city of revolution in America 250 years ago. As the Foundation enters its second century, we continue to uncover new chapters of America’s past through research and preservation and share them with the world – to quote our founder, John D. Rockefeller Jr., so ‘that the future may learn from the past.’”

The Foundation’s stewardship extends beyond its extraordinary collection of historic sites to the thoughtful preservation and operation of some of America’s most distinguished historic hotels. The elegant Williamsburg Inn (1937), the welcoming Williamsburg Lodge (1939), the authentic Colonial Houses – Historic Lodging, comprised of meticulously restored and furnished eighteenth-century homes, taverns, and tavern rooms located throughout the Historic Area, and the Griffin Hotel together provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience America’s colonial capital while staying within one of the nation’s most significant historic settings. Together, they exemplify how historic preservation, scholarly interpretation, and exceptional hospitality can be seamlessly integrated to create one of the world’s most distinctive heritage travel experiences.

^{Cover photo: David M. Doody for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation}

About Historic Hotels of America^®
Historic Hotels of America^® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America. The National Trust for Historic Preservation was chartered by U.S. Congress in 1949 and is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the movement to save places where our history happened. To be nominated and selected for membership in this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark, or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historical significance. Of the more than 300 historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America from 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, all historic hotels faithfully preserve their sense of authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity.

MEDIA CONTACT
Katherine Orr
Director, Marketing Strategy & Communications
Historic Hotels of America | Historic Hotels Worldwide
korr@HistoricHotels.org