Rollinsford resident Dennis Drake has been chosen by the Association of Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) as the recipient of the 2020 ARCH Heritage Award, presented annually to a person who has made significant contributions to the preservation of the history, heritage and culture of Rollinsford and the lower Salmon Falls region.

A life-long resident of Rollinsford, Drake is a history enthusiast with an extensive collection of vintage Rollinsford photographs and other memorabilia which he frequently shares on social media, sparking memories and community conversations about Rollinsford’s past. An avid photographer, he is well-known for his photographs of Rollinsford’s wildlife and natural landscape, and has also photographed many of the town’s 19th century culverts. At a town meeting to discuss the replacement of one of these culverts, Drake was able to demonstrate through his photographs of the interior and exterior of the culvert that it did not need to be replaced, thereby preserving a historic structure while also saving the town several hundred thousand dollars. His efforts have led to an increased appreciation for the town’s history and heritage, and ARCH is pleased to honor him with the ARCH Heritage Award.

Ordinarily the ARCH Heritage Award is presented at the organization’s annual fall dinner but due to current health conditions, that event has been canceled and the award will be presented at a brief outdoor ceremony at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford at 1 pm on Saturday, November 21, with a rain date of Sunday, November 22.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Rollinsford and the lower Salmon Falls region, ARCH maintains the historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House on Water Street in Rollinsford. For more information, consult the ARCH website at www.paulwentworthhouse.org or send an email to paulwentworthhouse@gmail.com.