EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – Kevin and Sonya Morgan received the McReynolds Award from the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation for long-term work promoting Historic Preservation in Excelsior Springs and Clay County. 

They received the award April 19 at the annual Missouri Preservation Honor Awards ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.

The Excelsior Springs Community Development Department of the City – with help from Courtney Cole, the Morgan’s daughter – nominated the Morgans.

The McReynolds Award is given annually to individuals or groups making significant achievements in the field of Historic Preservation. The McReynolds awards are among the most important the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation gives annually. 

“The Morgans have a long history of collecting, recording and telling the stories of Excelsior Springs and surrounding landmarks,” support information stated. “Mr. Morgan is a skilled photographer who has documented the events, people and buildings of the area for several decades.”

His work can be viewed at www.kevinmorgan.com and on his Facebook page. He studies and shares information about the Native Americans from this area based on artifacts he has discovered over the years. 

“Mrs. Morgan has a passion for the history and stories of the community of Excelsior Springs,” support information stated.

Cole said her mother committed endless hours to researching and documenting city history and served on the Historic Preservation Commission for over 20 years, sometimes as president. Sonya Morgan is an Excelsior Springs City Council member and serves as council liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission. 

"Kevin and I are humbled to receive this prestigious award for doing something for preservation while having fun,” Sonya Morgan said. “A lot of people have helped contribute to the historic preservation of Excelsior Springs. We are a National Main Street program community and have more good things to come in our historic downtown. We would love to have you visit."