MAINE PRESERVATION • October 15, 2025
Maine Preservation Executive Director, Tara Kelly, has been named the 2025 William F. King Jr. Downtown Champion. Since joining Maine Preservation in 2021, Tara has launched a residency program to offer hands-on preservation support to communities across Maine—33 towns, 10 counties, and 30 days spent in the field helping Mainers protect and celebrate their built heritage so far. Tara also established Jane’s Walk ME, part of a global movement of walking conversations inspired by activist Jane Jacobs. Thanks to her efforts, more Mainers are exploring their neighborhoods in new ways, deepening their connection to place, history, and each other. Tara will receive this well-deserved honor at the Maine Downtown Center Annual Awards Celebration, November 14, 9AM, at Bath Savings Bank, 105 Front Street in Bath.