The Elizabeth Welcome Station, which opened just last month as a cultural gateway celebrating the city’s diverse heritage, has already received national recognition. The Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award was presented to the City of Elizabeth on Thursday afternoon at the Elizabeth History, Heritage & the Arts event, honoring the revitalization of the historic structure into a welcoming entry point for residents and visitors.
Leisa Collins, the nationally recognized architectural artist for whom the award is named, praised the city’s efforts. “A building with history has a story and once it is destroyed it is lost forever,” she said. “With this award I recognize the City of Elizabeth for setting a stellar example of historical stewardship by preserving and transforming this landmark to tell the story of not only the built things surrounding us, but more importantly, the people who made them so.”
Mayor J. Christian Bollwage accepted the award on behalf of the city, emphasizing the balance between honoring history and building for the future. “Elizabeth has always been a city that values its history while continuing to build for the future,” he said. “This event celebrates the people, places and stories that have shaped our community and reminds us that preserving our heritage strengthens our identity for generations to come.”
The award presentation was followed by a panel discussion, “Painting the Past Forward: How Art and Historic Stewardship Keep Community Stories Alive.” Moderated by the caretaker of the L. Ron Hubbard Elizabeth, NJ Historic Home, the panel included community leaders who explored how art, cultural storytelling, and historic preservation work together to illuminate untold stories and build local pride. Panelists included Union County Commissioner Stan Neron, Union County History Programs Coordinator John Prescott, Boxwood Hall State Historic Site caretaker Katherine Craig, and Leisa Collins herself.
Neron, also a board member of the 313+ Ancestors Speak Project, highlighted the power of art and history to inspire and empower culture. Prescott shared insights from his work with community groups to develop dynamic history programs. Craig emphasized keeping humanity at the center of storytelling and her success in engaging diverse audiences. Collins shared her passion for using art to preserve historic places and elevate the stories of the people who lived them.
At the event’s close, Rev. Massimo Parrino, President of the L. Ron Hubbard Foundation, presented an Award of Cultural Leadership to Jennifer Costa and the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce for their collaboration and dedication to cultural stewardship. “This award honors those who exemplify the philosophy L. Ron Hubbard followed himself—to share what wisdom he has, and to help others help themselves,” Parrino said.
Guests then toured the Elizabeth Welcome Station to view the newly unveiled Historic Homes & Buildings of Elizabeth exhibit, which showcases the city’s historic structures and landmarks, highlighting its legacy as the “City of Firsts.” The Welcome Station, part of the GoElizabethNJ250 initiative, has been transformed from a transportation hub into a cultural gateway. For more information, visit the Elizabeth Welcome Station page. Details about the L. Ron Hubbard historic site are available at this link.
