Practitioners of preservation; heroes of architectural heritage; giants of grassroots advocacy: all will come together at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre in Journal Square tomorrow when the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy — a nonprofit citizen-driven organization incorporated in 1999 — will hand out much-deserved preservation awards during its 14th annual ceremony marking National Preservation Month.

GATHER THE PRESERVATIONISTS

“Those who have worked to preserve our history have done the community a great public service, but their efforts are rarely celebrated, and their identities are often unknown,” Conservancy president Justin T. Frohwirth says.

“The JCLC preservation awards ceremony is our opportunity to celebrate those who have saved parts of our community’s past for future generations to enjoy, and give these folks the public recognition and thanks they deserve.”

The Loew’s lobby doors will open at 6 p.m. At 7:30, the 2014 awardees will be recognized in the following categories:

EXCELLENCE IN PRESERVATION AWARDS

Given in recognition of superb bricks-and-mortar restoration, structural rehabilitation, materials conservation and repurposing, sustainable function and design, and architectural adaptive reuse of a historic building, site, district or object.

To John Fio Rito and Point Capital Development for the adaptive reuse of the Montauk House, an early cast-iron construction skyscraper structure located at 95 Montgomery St. in Downtown Jersey City. Jennifer Palermo and Inglese Architecture & Engineering, Architects of Record.

To Colgate-Palmolive Company for the complete stabilization, restoration, and re-lighting of the world-famous 1924 Colgate Clock on the Jersey City Waterfront. Conant Architects, Architect of Record; Ove Arup & Partners, Structural Engineers; Balzer Family Clock Works, Clock Fabricators; Moffatt & Nichol, MEP Engineers; HDLC Architectural Lighting Design, Lighting Consultant.

To James Merewether and Sussex Street Associates for their sensitive restoration of 145 Sussex St., a circa-1840 vernacular clapboard rowhouse located in the Paulus Hook Historic District. DeGraw & DeHaan Architects, Architect of Record; Donahoe Brothers Inc., General Contractor.

To John Winckelmann and Bethann Noble for their resplendent restoration of 83 Bowers St., a circa-1890 rowhouse located in the Jersey City Heights. John Winckelmann, Architect of Record.

PRESERVATION INITIATIVE AWARD

Given in recognition of positive preservation initiative, intent and promotion, visionary stewardship and creative curatorial management of historic resources carried out by an individual, institution, organization or business.

To Dixon Advisory Group for its mindful renovations of architecturally significant Jersey City properties, including many outside of the established Downtown historic districts.

THEODORE CONRAD PRESERVATIONIST AWARD

Named for Jersey City’s late pre-eminent preservationist, architect and model maker and given in recognition of commendable citizen-led grassroots advocacy campaigns for the preservation, protection and promotion of architectural, cultural and environmental sites and monuments.

To the Jersey City Waterfront Parks Conservancy for its efforts to preserve, improve, and initiate the creation of open public space along the Jersey City Waterfront through its pioneering Connect the Parks campaign.

JERSEY CITY LEGEND AWARD

Given to an individual who has achieved a lifetime of civic accomplishment and who encompasses, through his or her vocation and canon, the historical spirit and legacy of Jersey City.

To Jordan Gruzen, internationally renowned architect, for carrying on the architectural legacy of the esteemed Jersey City firm of Kelly & Gruzen, which was founded in 1936 by B. Sumner Gruzen and Col. Hugh A. Kelly at 26 Journal Square. Born at the Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital and raised on Stegman Parkway in the Greenville section of Jersey City, Gruzen has continued to contribute to the city's dynamic built form through the successor firm of Gruzen Samton, architects of Crystal Point, Liberty Towers, Portside and other seminal waterfront buildings.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Architectural historian John Gomez holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia University and is the author of the recently published "Legendary Locals of Jersey City" (Arcadia Publishing). Email him at preservationtv@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @JerseyCityBook.

IF YOU GO ...

What: The 14th annual Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy Preservation Awards Ceremony

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 29

Where: The Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre, 54 Journal Square

Cost: $35 at the door or through PayPal via jclandmarks.org. Includes ceremony presentation, buffet, dessert, and a tour of the theater.