Ed Boles has been recognized by the Albuquerque Historical Society for an Albuquerque History Accolade. Edgar “Ed” Boles began his long career by working with various architectural firms in Kansas and New Mexico after getting his Bachelor’s of Environmental Design from the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Design.
In 1985, he began a long tenure in state and local government when he became architect and co-director of the New Mexico Main Street program for which he was recognized with the Heritage Preservation Award by New Mexico Cultural Properties Review Committee in 1989. In 1991, Ed became the Historic Architect for the State of New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, where he conducted Section 106 regulatory reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act and the NM Prehistoric and Historic Sites Preservation Act, and coordinated the NM preservation loan fund for rehabilitation projects such as the Kress Building and the Belen Hotel. Ed was also instrumental in evaluating historic properties for the state and national registers as well assisting clients in making building modifications and designs for adaptive re-use while still maintaining the building’s historic characteristics.
In 1995, Ed brought his far-reaching knowledge and skills to the City of Albuquerque Planning Department where he became the city’s Historic Preservation Planner. During his tenure, he helped fund work for National Register documentation and public information projects, managed a fund for archaeological investigations, and coordinated work for the rehabilitation of city landmarks such as, the KiMo theater, the New Deal era Roosevelt Park, and the classic Route 66 El Vado motel.
Following his retirement in 2013, the Albuquerque Chapter of the American Institute of Architects presented Ed with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also honored by the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects for his “extraordinary dedication and service to the architectural profession and to the public which it serves.”
Today, Ed continues his love of architecture and interest in historic preservation through consulting projects, and volunteering his time to the community. He sums up his preservation philosophy in this way: Most preservation projects should accomplish more than preservation itself. They should also serve other needs in a community, a family, a government, an institution. Such projects demonstrate that historic preservation can add value rather than just burdening people with the cost of complying with an external mandate.
The Albuquerque Historical Society awards this Accolade in appreciation for all of Ed’s efforts over the years in support of historic preservation in Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico.
View other Albuquerque History Accolades.
You must be logged in to post a comment.