John Merkle for Excellence in Preservation, Planning and Civic Engagement

Concord, NH - June 11th, 2025: The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance announced several winners of the Preservation Achievement Awards for Small Town Successes, Community Development Investment and Outstanding Leaders. Local resident John Merkle was honored among this year's slate of award winners.

This award celebrates John’s four decades of impressive professional and civic contributions to New Hampshire. 

The firm that he confounded in 1984, TMS Architects, has long been a long leader in Granite State adaptive use and preservation projects, with highlights including the revival of historic Wentworth by the Sea in New Castle, Bridges (or Governor’s) House in Concord, projects at the American Independence Museum, Phillips Exeter Academy and the Music Hall in Portsmouth.  

John’s volunteerism is also legendary. He had been a past president of the New Hampshire chapter of the AIA (or American Institute of Architects), the regional AIA New England and the N.H. Preservation Alliance. On the local level, he has been a major force in bringing key historic preservation tools to his hometown of Exeter. The Chair of the Exeter Selectboard wrote, “John is an integral part of preserving Exeter’s history and educating the public about historic resources within the town.”  John served as chair of the Exeter Historic District Commission, and led efforts to secure certified local government status and the Town’s demolition delay provision. He advanced the ordinance that created the Exeter Heritage Commission, which he also chaired for many years. More recently, he helped guide preservation work at the Castle in the Clouds and the Concord Gasholder and continues on grant review and other committees of the Preservation Alliance.  

Fellow colleagues and volunteers describe him as a role model. They emphasize his smart, thoughtful approach to complex situations and his thoughtful, generous spirit. 

So many others join us in thanking John for his outstanding and invaluable contributions and continuing commitment to positive preservation activity.