Event Recap: 2025 Pillar of New York Awards

“If we don’t have something that connects us to our place, our past, and really, our future, then we’re lost.”

On Monday, May 19, the League was proud to present Roberta Brandes Gratz with our 2025 Pillar of New York Award, recognizing her decades of work in support of preservation issues in New York. Many thanks to the hundreds of people who gathered with us in the Rainbow Room to honor Roberta and her incredible contribution to the field of preservation. Thanks to the generosity of the people in the room (and a few from afar), the 2025 Pillar Awards raised over $350,000 to support the League’s statewide work.

Scroll through the slideshow below for highlights from the evening!

During the event, the following video was shown to help illustrate the depth and breadth of Roberta’s long career.

The Preservation League of NYS sincerely thanks Leonard Majzlin for his creative vision, thoughtful storytelling, and dedicated work as Producer and Director of the video tribute honoring Roberta Brandes Gratz. This heartfelt video, which captures Roberta’s lasting legacy and transformative impact, would not have been possible without Leonard’s guidance and commitment.

Credits

  • Producer/Director: Leonard Majzlin

  • Editor: Sophia Peer

  • Videographer: Matt Peters

  • Color Correction: Robert Wagnerman

  • Audio Balance/Correction: Avi Zev Weider

  • NYC Still Photography: James Bleecker

  • Music: UMC Library

Following an introduction by the event's Honorary Chair John Berendt, Roberta stood at the podium to accept her award. This video shares her acceptance speech in full.

League EventsPLNYS StaffPillar Gala