Established for Anne St. Clair Wright who was a dedicated volunteer preservationist credited with saving the historic district of Annapolis and its buildings from vernacular to grand. The National Trust for Historic Preservation honored her with their highest honor, the Louise duPont Crowninshield Award in 1968. The University of Maryland awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Public Service in 1985. The St. Clair Wright Award encourages students to "demonstrate the qualities of activism and dedication in the field of preservation" for which Mrs. Wright exemplified.