By William J. Martin AIA
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Photo: William J. Martin AIA, Katie Wolchko, Loretta Wolchko, Elaine Gold -Historic Preservation Specialist.
Photo credit: Mark Rotundo
On May 7, 2026, Bergen County came together for its biennial awards presentation. The Claire Tholl Award for Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation is one of Bergen County’s most meaningful honors. Established in 1997 in memory of Claire Tholl—an eminent architectural historian, map-maker, and long-time member of the Historic Sites Advisory Board—it recognizes those whose preservation work strengthens the county’s cultural fabric.
Claire’s fieldwork documented 230 early stone houses, 208 of which were placed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 1980, setting a lasting standard for stewardship.
Matthew J. Wolchko, AIA Honored with Bergen County’s Claire Tholl Award for Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation
This year, that legacy finds a fitting heir in Architect Matthew J. Wolchko, AIA. Matt sadly passed away in July of 2025, leaving a symbolic keystone missing from our Bergen County historic preservation community.
Remembering Architect Matthew J. Wolchko, AIA
Matthew J. Wolchko, AIA—Matt to all who knew him—devoted his life to architecture, community, and preserving Bergen County’s historic character. Born in Passaic and rooted in Garfield, he was known for quiet generosity, deep faith, and commitment to the people and places he loved. A devoted father to Katie and Loretta and a parishioner of Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church, he brought humility and warmth to every interaction.
Professionally, Matt spent more than a decade with Parette Somjen Architects, contributing to educational, civic, and institutional projects across northern New Jersey. His affiliations—including the AIA, AIA New Jersey, the Architects League of Northern New Jersey, and the Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board—reflected his technical rigor and respect for the profession.
Historic preservation was where he made his deepest impact.
As Chairman of the Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board, he led with “clarity, fairness, a steady hand, and a wonderful sense of humor.” His leadership raised public awareness, helped municipalities navigate preservation challenges, and kept history, in the Board’s words, “a living, instructive presence in the built environment.”
Matt’s dedication reached beyond his profession. A loyal friend, beloved father, and generous supporter of causes such as Operation Toy Train, his passing left, as the Board wrote, “a symbolic keystone missing from our Bergen County historic preservation community.”
His legacy endures in the structures he protected, the policies he shaped, and the people he mentored. Through his work, Matt helped ensure Bergen County’s heritage will continue to inspire future generations.
Matt’s daughters, Katie and Loretta, attended to accept the award on behalf of the Wolchko family. Architect William J. Martin, AIA, and Historic Preservation specialist Elaine Gold presented the award.
Preserving the Past, Celebrating the Present: Why Bergen County’s Historic Preservation Awards Matter
Every community has stories etched into its landscape—in an old church steeple, worn schoolhouse steps, or a centuries-old home. In Bergen County, these stories are honored through the Bergen County Historic Preservation Commendation Awards, one of New Jersey’s longest-standing tributes to those who protect our shared past.
The program’s purpose is simple and powerful: to recognize individuals, organizations, and communities who keep history alive.
Since 1982, more than 300 awards have honored projects and people that strengthen the county’s historical identity.
The awards stand out for their breadth. They celebrate architectural restorations, adaptive reuse projects, educators, students, historians, cemeteries, monuments, and neighborhood landmarks—all the visible and quiet keepers of local memory.
They also encourage stewardship. By spotlighting exemplary preservation work, the program inspires care for the places that define Bergen County’s identity. In a region rich with Revolutionary War history, immigrant stories, and architectural diversity, that work is especially vital as America approaches its 250th anniversary.
Historic preservation is not just about saving old buildings. It honors the people who built them, the communities that grew around them, and the stories still unfolding within their walls. The Bergen County Historic Preservation Commendation Awards remind us that history is a living inheritance—kept strong, visible, and deeply felt through local dedication.