Awards of Excellence

Our 2025 MotorCities' Awards of Excellence Luncheon took place June 4 at the Stellantis Conner Center in Detroit.

The winners were announced in the following categories: 

Heritage Tourism -

• Don & Gayle Nicholson of Westland (pictured below, right) for creating and growing the annual Cruisin' Hines event;

Education/Interpretation -

• The Historical Society of Greater Lansing for the I-496 Pave the Way Project;

Revitalization -

• Greg & Kristin Donofrio (pictured above, left) for the Phoenix Mill restoration in Plymouth.

In addition, MotorCities presented its highest honor, the Milestone Award, to Ford Motor Company's Corporate Historian Emeritus Robert Kreipke (pictured at left). For over 25 years, Kreipke has served as a project advisor and board member, helping propel MotorCities to become the nationally–recognized experts on preserving and promoting Michigan’s automotive heritage. In addition, he was Chairman of the Board between 2015 and 2019, steering the organization through successful projects like the launching of our highway promotional signs, the creation of the Fort Street Bridge Interpretive Park in Detroit, and the celebration of MotorCities' 20^th anniversary.

The Stellantis Conner Center is the home of the historic collection of 100 years of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth, DeSoto vehicles, and guests enjoyed the rare opportunity to see these vehicles.

The MotorCities National Heritage Area Awards of Excellence recognize organizations and individuals who have delivered oustanding projects in the areas of auto or labor heritage tourism, education/interpretation and revitalization.  

1. The nomination must be for an outstanding person, event or project in one of three areas of education, tourism or revitalization. The project must have taken place within the boundaries of the MotorCities National Heritage Area in Michigan.  If nominating an individual, they must be connected to a project in the heritage area.
2. Nominations must be submitted using the forms and format provided. Please submit the materials electronically. No paper submissions will be accepted.
3. Nominations will be judged on quality, not volume. Tell the story of your project! Do not assume that jurors are already familiar with your nominee.
4. You are asked for the address of the nominee/project.  This is to confirm that the project is within the MotorCities Heritage Area.  The address will also advise on your current state senator and representative, so that they can be invited to the ceremony to recognize the nominee.
5. Include at least one photograph  depicting the place or person you are nominating,  If your nomination is a revitalization project, include both “before and after” photos. There is an option for one additional support item. If you would like to submit multiple items, they should be combined into one PDF file (max 10MB).
6. Self-nominations are acceptable.
7. If selected, the nominee must be available to receive the award as part of an awards presentation on June 4 at the Stellantis Conner Center at 11:30 AM.  A finalist + guest will receive complimentary tickets.  Others will be able to purchase a ticket to attend.
8. Nominations are open to ALL projects spanning the last 3 years.
9. Deadline for nominations was 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025.

April 1   Nominations Open
May 9   Nominations Close
May 21 Finalists Announced
June 4  Awards Ceremony