NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez and a local organization were recognized for their preservation efforts in the biennial Mississippi Heritage Trust awards.

The City of Natchez received two awards — a heritage award for preservation for the Auburn kitchen dependency restoration and an award for engineering excellence for the creation of the Bridge of Sighs on the Natchez bluff.

Auburn Antebellum Home, the non-profit group that leases the historic property from the city, also received an award for organizational excellence for its efforts to support the site.

Mississippi Heritage Trust Executive Director Lolly Barnes said 30 awards were given out in 2016 across the state for a variety of projects having to do with historic preservation.

“We’re just reaching out to people for a much deserved round of applause for a job well done protecting Mississippi’s rich architectural heritage,” Barnes said.

The awards are given after a panel review of nominations of local projects of note. In Natchez, nominations were given by local residents who sit on the Mississippi Heritage trust board of trustees.

Barnes said Claire Cothren of Waycaster and Associates nominated Auburn.

Community Development Director James Johnston said Waycaster and Associates did the architectural work for the Auburn kitchen dependency restoration, and would likely be involved in the water mitigation project of the main house.

Carter Burns, an attorney who works for Mississippi Department of Transportation, nominated the Bridge of Sighs project.

The bridge was largely funded by an MDOT grant, sourced from the Federal Highway Administration.

The awards are given out on even-numbered years. On odd-numbered years, the trust identifies its list of 10 most endangered historic properties in the state.

“We celebrate the victories and draw attention to historic places that need some help every other year,” Barnes said.

Natchez sites have made the most endangered list a few times in recent years.

In 2009, the trust listed antebellum Arlington as one of its 10 most endangered. In 2015, Melmont was added to the list.

Barnes said the list is in part intended to encourage local governments to intervene in the properties by acting on demolition by neglect laws.

“It takes a lot of political willpower,” Barnes said. “We’re saying, “Hey, they is a chance to make a difference.’”