In the Spring of 1998, the New England Holocaust Memorial received two prestigious design awards which put it in the company of important American national treasures including the Statue of Liberty, the Jefferson Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The Memorial was selected to receive the Henry Bacon Medal for Memorial Architecture from the American Institute of Architects and the Harleston Parker Medal from the Boston Society of Architects.

The American Institute of Architects' 1998 Henry Bacon Medal for Memorial Architecture

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) selected that the New England Holocaust Memorial has to receive its Henry Bacon Medal for Memorial Architecture. The AIA, the nation's principal association of architects and designers, established the Bacon Award to recognize "architecture whose purpose is to portray, promote, or symbolize an idea of high spiritual concern."

The award nomination noted that: "This memorial is a statement of memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Nazi tyranny and a reaffirmation of the basic human rights of all people." The jury comments also stated: "This memorial is fully integrated formal expression of most devastating event of the 20th century presented in startling fashion in midst of active/busy urban environment. The structure is well fabricated and executed. While it seems to be all exterior markers in space, there is interior that's very powerful. The memorial is a solemn, wrenching presence in center of urban environment, making this historical event a part of everyday experience."

Boston's Holocaust Memorial, dedicated in October, 1995, is only the eighth recipient of the award in its 32-year history. The medal was last awarded in 1996 to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC. Other recipients include: the Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO (1966,) Fosse Ardeatine Caves, Rome (1969,)Le Memorial des Martyrs de le Deportation, Paris (1975,) Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, DC (1984,) Statue of Liberty, New York City (1986,) and Ellis Island Immigration Museum, New York City (1991.)

The Boston Society of Architects 1997 Harleston Parker Award

The Boston Society of Architects has granted its 1997 Harleston Parker Award to Stanley Saitowitz for his design of the New England Holocaust Memorial. The Harleston Parker Award is given to "the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument or structure within the City of Boston or the metropolitan district."

The 1997 Harleston Parker Committee report included the following comments: "The committee was won the memorial's power to move people emotionally and unite residents and tourists through their common humanity. We credited the power not to the text alone, but to the great creativity and vision of the designer. Simple forms and subtle translucencies provide a poetic counterpoint for the chilling strength of its message. The masterful formal abstraction of such concepts of the six million number and mist from below allow a multiplicity of interpretations that intensify and underscore the text's lessons. Drawing strength from its shared context with the Freedom Trail and City Hall, the project simultaneously engages yet distinguishes itself from its surroundings insuring that its message can be experienced on many different levels. The Committee recognized the tremendous skill needed to design so profoundly in memory of such overwhelmingly tragic events.

"The committee regards the New England Holocaust Memorial as a work of great substance and a major addition to Boston's built environment. It is architecture with a soul. It transcends problem solving and challenges its visitors to consider what they value. This is perhaps as great a contribution as a work of architecture can make. Truly, the power to move people emotionally comes primarily from knowledge of historic events. But a most profound beauty is present in this historic re-telling."

Past recipients have included the Harvard Science Center (1976), the Federal Reserve Bank (1981), the Hancock Tower (1983), Wellesley College Science Center (1987),The Park and Garage at Post Office Square (1992), Harvard Law School's Hauser Building (1994) and the George Robert White Youth Development Center (1996).