President’s Preservation Award to 11 River Road in Silvermine presented by Lesley Aldridge Cousley, new President New Canaan Preservation Alliance with homeowners Lisa and Eric Hilderbrand with their architect-builder, Robert Chipley AIA, at the left: “It had been adapted for modern living, but ‘all surfaces had been preserved where possible,’ the owner, Lisa Hilderbrand stated. She and her husband Eric, stood with their architect-contractor, Richard Chipley AIA, to receive the award for unusual valor in the preservation field as the house had suffered a devastating fire during the final stages of decorating and they were advised to demolish it. The preeminent antiquarian John Kenneth Byard had installed beautiful period rooms in the 1920’s, while adding to a preserved eighteenth century saltbox, at the same time he was converting an old cotton mill into Silvermiine Tavern. The Hildebrands and their architect were determined to proceed, and with only the addition of a new door on River Road, the house retains its original exterior appearance it has had for almost 100 years.”