The Henry Hope Reed Award is given in conjunction with the Driehaus Prize to an individual working outside the practice of architecture who has supported the cultivation of the traditional city, its architecture and art through writing, planning or promotion.
During his distinguished career, Roger Kennedy has served as editor, historian, journalist, banker and public servant, having served on boards, commissions, and tasks for six presidents before becoming Director of the National Park Service from 1993-1997. He is the author of twelve books on American history, architectural history, and public affairs, including Greek Revival America and Orders from France, and in 2007, Wildfire and Americans. He is editor and co-editor of many others, including several on architecture and urban planning, such as the 2007 title Living on the Edge: Economic, Institutional and Management Perspectives on Wildfire Hazard in the Wildland Urban Interface (co-editor with Austin Troy). Mr. Kennedy was General Editor and wrote the prefaces for each of the 12 volumes of The Smithsonian Guide to Historic America. At NBC, Mr. Kennedy covered the White House and the Supreme Court, and was a correspondent for “Monitor,” “The Today Show” and other news programs. In the 1970s he wrote and presented half-hour documentaries for regional PBS, and in the 1980s was presenter and writer of two series for Discovery Channel: “Roger Kennedy’s Rediscovering America” and “The Smithsonian Presents Invention.” Roger Kennedy earned his BA from Yale University and his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. He is an Honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), has won the Silver Medal of the NY Film Critics, a variety of scholarly prizes, and many honorary degrees. Forthcoming in 2008: When Art Worked: the Art of the New Deal Period and Greek Revival America (new edition).