Two-time Awards of Excellence recipient recognized among the nation’s leading historic hotels for stewardship and sustainability
STAUNTON, Va., August 12, 2026 – The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center has been named a nominee finalist for the 2026 Historic Hotels of America® Sustainability Champion Award, a national honor recognizing innovative green initiatives and practices that demonstrate how historic preservation can advance a more sustainable future.
The Blackburn is one of 10 hotels selected as finalists in the Sustainability Champion category. Historic Hotels of America received more than 700 nominations across 14 categories for its 2026 Annual Awards of Excellence, which honor exemplary historic hotels, hoteliers, and preservation leaders for hospitality, stewardship, innovation, and commitment to sharing the stories of America’s iconic destinations.
“The greenest building is already standing,” said Brooklyn Kennedy, general manager of The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center. “At The Blackburn, preservation is not separate from sustainability—it is the foundation of it. By giving an 1828 landmark a vibrant new purpose and caring for it thoughtfully for the future, we honor the craftsmanship and resources already invested in this place. To be recognized among the Sustainability Champion finalists is a meaningful affirmation of that commitment and of the work our team carries forward every day.”
The recognition builds on The Blackburn’s record as a two-time Historic Hotels of America Awards of Excellence winner. The hotel was named New Member of the Year in 2019 and Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel (Under 75 Guestrooms) in 2021. Together, those honors and the 2026 finalist designation reflect a continued commitment to preserving an irreplaceable landmark while delivering thoughtful, contemporary hospitality.
The 2026 award winners will be announced Thursday, October 15, during the Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony & Gala at the Williamsburg Lodge, Autograph Collection, in Williamsburg, Virginia.
ABOUT THE BLACKBURN INN AND CONFERENCE CENTER
Rich in history and steeped in elegant charm, The Blackburn Inn and Conference Center is a boutique historic hotel set on more than 80 acres of rolling Virginia hills, just steps from Downtown Staunton. The landmark’s story dates to 1828, when the property was part of Western State Hospital. Its Greek Revival architecture is associated with Thomas R. Blackburn, an accomplished architect and protégé of Thomas Jefferson. Following an extensive adaptive-reuse restoration, the building opened as The Blackburn Inn in 2018, pairing nineteenth-century character with modern comfort, locally inspired dining, wellness experiences, and distinctive indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. The Blackburn has been a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2018 and was named among the 2025 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America® Best of Adaptive Reuse.
The property is continuing that preservation story with Blackburn South, a newly renovated building adjacent to the main inn that is scheduled to open in early 2027. The expansion will add 42 guest rooms, including double queen rooms, king rooms, and specialty soaking tub rooms, and increase The Blackburn’s total capacity to 92 rooms. Designed to welcome more guests and groups while preserving the campus’s tranquility and historic character, Blackburn South reflects the property’s ongoing commitment to thoughtfully reimagining historic spaces for today’s traveler. Learn more and submit advance inquiries at blackburn-inn.com.
ABOUT HISTORIC HOTELS OF AMERICA®
Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the finest historic hotels in the United States. To be selected for membership, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; be designated as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and be recognized as having historical significance. The program includes more than 300 historic hotels that preserve their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. For more information, visit HistoricHotels.org.
