The Boston Preservation Alliance has named the Dorchester Historical Society's Blake House as a 2008 Preservation Achievement Award winner in the category of Efforts in Preservation Innovation. Built in 1661, the Blake House is a rare example of a post-Medieval timber-frame house and is the oldest surviving house in the city of Boston &emdash; and the second oldest in the state.

In 2005, the Dorchester Historical Society undertook the major effort of rehabilitating the building. After completing a thorough study and assessment of the house, the Society decided to return the first period building not to a conjecture of what it possibly looked like in 1661, but to its appearance following the Society's 1890s "Arts and Crafts" style restoration of the structure.

"The Alliance is very excited about the rehabilitation of the Blake House. The philosophy of taking the building back to the era of its 1890s Arts and Crafts restoration was an extremely thoughtful approach and highlights an important moment in the history of the preservation movement," said Sarah D. Kelly, Executive Director of the Boston Preservation Alliance.

Awards will be presented at the Alliance's 2008 Auction and Awards event on Thursday, May 1 at 179 Lincoln St. on the Greenway in Boston's Leather District. Tickets cost $75. For more information on the event, visit bostonpreservation.org or to reserve tickets, contact Shelby Graham at sgraham@bostonpreservation.org or 617-367-2458 x 10.