The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) honored Stephen Stowell, longtime Administrator of the Lowell Historic Board in Lowell, Massachusetts, with the 2026 Daniel L. Becker Award for Municipal Leadership during the Commission Excellence Awards Celebration held Saturday, July 25, at FORUM 2026: Preservation Currents, NAPC’s biennial conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Daniel L. Becker Award for Municipal Leadership recognizes an individual whose exceptional leadership, commitment, and service have advanced historic preservation within their local community and demonstrated the value of preservation in municipal government.
Beginning in 1994, Stowell served as Administrator of the Lowell Historic Board, a multi-agency municipal preservation board responsible for design review and permitting, state and federal reviews, historic resource surveys, and community outreach. While his position in the Mill City was removed as part of recent budget cuts, Stowell’s commitment to Lowell’s historic resources runs deep, rooted in a family connection to the city that dates to the 1850s.
During his tenure, Stowell worked closely with residents, businesses, developers, and community organizations to expand Lowell’s locally designated historic districts from one to eleven. Within those districts, he oversaw the review of projects ranging from business signage and residential improvements to major mill rehabilitation, new construction, and a 6,500-seat multipurpose civic arena.
Stowell’s approach to preservation is grounded in collaboration. In more than three decades as Administrator, only one appeal was filed and only one denial was issued. His colleagues attribute this record to his ability to approach preservation holistically, working with applicants and the community to find solutions that protect historic resources while allowing Lowell to grow and evolve.
His impact extended well beyond regulatory review. Throughout his career, Stowell made community engagement and education central to Lowell’s preservation program. He led tours of the city’s historic architecture, developed building marker programs and a Black History Trail, created a sign grant program that supported local businesses and economic development, and embraced social media as a tool for public education and engagement.
In 2002, Stowell helped launch Doors Open Lowell, an event that invites the public to explore the city’s historic buildings and places and was the first event of its kind in the United States. He also co-founded the Lowell Heritage Partnership, a coalition dedicated to advocating for and caring for Lowell’s built, natural, and cultural heritage.
Through these efforts, Stowell has helped generations of Lowell residents see historic preservation not simply as a regulatory process, but as a source of community pride and connection. His work reflects a guiding belief that the city’s historic places should be understood as part of its living community.
One colleague described Stowell as “Lowell’s preservation conscience,” noting that his commitment to collaboration, education, and engagement has helped create the conditions for Lowell’s preservation successes.
Through more than 30 years of municipal service, Stephen Stowell demonstrated how effective preservation leadership can bring together historic stewardship, community engagement, economic development, and thoughtful growth. His career serves as a model for preservation professionals and local commissions across the country.
Founded in 1983, the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) helps build strong local preservation programs and leaders through education, training, and advocacy. NAPC supports thousands of local historic preservation commissioners, staff members, and preservation professionals nationwide through training, technical assistance, publications, and its biennial FORUM conference.
