2025 Margaret Flint Award

Susan Elisabeth Godshall

The New Haven Preservation Trust’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to present the 2025 Flint Award to Susan Godshall in recognition of her exceptional and sustained service to preservation in New Haven. Susan was informed of the honor that same day and expressed her characteristic warmth and humility, writing,

“That’s amazing. I am deeply honored. Everyone who received the Margaret Flint Award is impressive — it’s such an honor to be included among them. I would never in a million years have expected this and I’m so grateful.”

Susan passed away on October 11, 2025, eleven days after learning of the award. She remained engaged in the work of the Trust until the day before her death, continuing to advise colleagues on ongoing projects.

“Susan’s work truly embodied the spirit of this award,” said Rona Johnston, President of the Board at the New Haven Preservation Trust. “Her deep knowledge, unwavering passion, and fierce commitment pushed all of us to strive harder. Preservation is never easy — but Susan was never daunted. She cared deeply for New Haven, and that guided her tireless efforts.”

Since joining the Trust’s Board of Directors in 2003, Susan brought unmatched expertise and energy to nearly every aspect of its mission. She served as Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and a member and chair of the Preservation Committee, advising on budgeting, investments, and policy. She played a central role in negotiations with developers, architects, Yale University, and the City of New Haven. She also helped to administer the Trust’s Historic Structures Fund, which provides financial support for homeowners working to preserve the character of their historic properties. In 2016, Susan was appointed by then-New Haven Mayor Toni Harp to the City’s Historic District Commission, where she served until 2023, advising on proposed changes to structures within the Historic Districts.

Her leadership extended well beyond administrative roles. Susan co-authored The Builder Book (with Jack Tripp), which chronicled New Haven’s early builders and craftspeople and won the 2023 Honor Book Award from Historic New England. She also led the successful nomination of New Haven’s Long Wharf Pier to the National Register of Historic Places, celebrated in May 2025 at the Canal Dock Boathouse with an event honoring Black engineer and contractor William Lanson, who extended the pier beginning in 1810.

Marena Wisniewski, State Register Coordinator for the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, noted that “Susan was a stalwart preservationist — there are many buildings still standing in New Haven because of her efforts.”

At the recent Long Wharf Pier celebration, Michael Piscitelli, Economic Development Administrator for the City of New Haven, reflected that “Susan has been a guiding light for city staff for many, many years after she left city service. She helped us understand both the vision and how to operationalize it and she never hesitated to remind us, ‘Don’t tear everything down.’”

Before her retirement, Susan served as Senior Vice President of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, focusing on economic development, regional cooperation, and government affairs. She was also Administrative Director of Tweed New Haven Airport for fifteen years. Earlier in her career, she worked for the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Yale University, and the City of New Haven, where she served as Deputy Corporation Counsel and played a key role in the 1980–86 restoration of Union Station.

A graduate of Oberlin College and Yale University, she held degrees in both law and architecture. Susan brought a unique combination of intellect, creativity, and civic devotion to everything she undertook. Her colleagues at the Trust remember her for her wisdom, humor, and unwavering dedication to New Haven.