Twenty-seventh Cambridge Preservation Awards 2022 2023

I’m proud to announce that I was honored by the Cambridge Historical Commission in their Twenty-seventh Cambridge Preservation Awards on May 25, 2023. They bestowed Special Recognition for my books, Necco: An Epic Candy Tale and Necco: The Archive Collection, for their “contribution to the public’s understanding of and appreciation for Cambridge and its multi-faceted history."

I was unable to attend the awards ceremony. However, Alex Piandes, photographer of historic sites for the book, was able to accept the award in my stead. And although my name is on this award, my husband Joe Lacey shares all due credit for this achievement with his book design, photography, and image restoration. I’m grateful to the Cambridge Historical Commission and everyone who made these books possible.

Photographer Alex Piandes accepts the 27th Cambridge Preservation Award award in Darlene Lacey's honor.

Boston Warf Company Building photo by Alex Piandes. Copyright 2022

1940 Necco Wafers from candy jobber book. Courtesy of David and Caroline Llewellyn. From the book "Necco: An Epic Candy Tale"

Necco employee Evelyn Rae is crowned "Miss Candy of 1946" at the National Confectioners Association Convention." From the book "Necco: An Epic Candy Tale"

Necco Cambridge Factory at 244 Massachusetts Ave. Photo by Phil Barber. Copyright 2022.

Feature pages with Necco Wafers. From the book "Necco: An Epic Candy Tale"

Feature pages with Necco Sky Bar. From the book "Necco: An Epic Candy Tale"

Feature pages from the book "Necco: An Epic Candy Tale"