News
XIT Ranch
XIT Ranch Headquarters,
image courtesy of Peter Flagg Maxson
Historic XIT General office building to be moved to Texas Tech's Ranching
Heritage Center.
Lenny Sadler, owner, plans to move the building to National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock. Once the locals found out, they began to organize opposition to the move. The owner of the building has agreed not to move the building if $100,000 can be raised to purchase the building by the end of September, and along with $2 million endowment to support the maintenance of the house. The Texas Historical Commission offered a $50,000 emergency grant to the XIT General Office Association. Channing, the county seat of Hartley County, has about 100 residents. The XIT ranch was one of the largest ranches in Texas, and the land that made up the ranch was sold by the State of Texas to eastern investors to raise money to build the 1888 Capitol Building.
The Hartley County Historical Commission is collecting funds to prevent the XIT General office building from being relocated. For more information, please visit www.save-the-xit.com.
XIT Ranch General Office building in the news:
www.amarillo.com/stories/073108/new_news4.shtml
www.amarillo.com/stories/080408/new_10820279.shtml
Preservation Texas urges state officials to immediately stabilize the Governor’s Mansion
Updates on Governor’s Mansion
Preservation Texas is collecting information on the status of the restoration of the Governor’s Mansion and will continue to post any information on this website. Please contact us at info@preservationtexas.org if you would like to receive e-mail updates.
Preservation Texas is working with its partner preservation organizations across the state to ensure that the Governor’s Mansion is fully restored for the benefit of all Texans.
In the news
“Fire-damaged mansion's roof must be fully removed Arson officials hand crime scene to preservationists.” by Gary Scharrer of the Houston Chronicle
To donate
The following organizations are accepting funds:
- Save the Mansion Fund
Heritage Society of Austin, P.O. Box 2113, Austin, TX 78768-2113
- Friends of the Texas Historical Commission
P.O. Box 13492, Austin, TX 78711-3497
- Austin Community Foundation
4315 Guadalupe, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751
- Friends of the Governor’s Mansion
P.O. Box 24447, Austin, TX 78768
Preservation Texas urges state officials to immediately stabilize the Governor’s Mansion from further deterioration caused by fire and water; enlist the professional services of a structural engineer experienced in historic structures to inspect the roof, columns, and load-bearing supports for deficiencies; and address a plan to remediate the deficiencies in a comprehensive planning process.
Preservation Texas insists that the following additional steps are taken:
- Enlist the advice of experienced preservation professionals.
- Survey and document existing historic fabric including decorative details and interior finishes.
- Undertake comprehensive planning on the level that took place for the State Capitol after the fire 25 years ago.
- Hire preservation consultants to provide appropriate historic analysis in a historic structure report to guide the restoration project and develop future maintenance plans for the mansion.
- Develop an education component to educate the general public about the complex preservation issues professionals encounter, lead to a greater appreciation for the Governor’s Mansion’s history, and elevate public support for the restoration of the mansion.
Preservation Texas is dedicated to partnering with our sister preservation organizations to ensure a quality restoration of the Governor’s Mansion by advocating for funding from the Legislature, assisting in private fundraising efforts, and providing professional preservation advice and resources. As a statewide preservation organization, Preservation Texas can draw upon resources in every part of the State ensuring that every county in Texas has a chance to contribute to the restoration of this Texas treasure.
Preservation Texas recognizes deserving award winners
On May 2, 2008, Preservation Texas recognized deserving award winners whose accomplishments inspire us all and encourage us in our efforts to protect the historic resources of Texas. The awards were chosen by an independent jury of distinguished professionals representing a cross-section of disciplines within the field of historic preservation. Their task was to determine significant contributions to preservation efforts across the state. On behalf of Preservation Texas – and the dedicated awards committee so ably chaired by Peter Flagg Maxson - it is our privilege to announce the follow awardees.
Awardees
Clara Driscoll Award
- Concordia Heritage Association and the West Texas Community Supervision and Correctors Department Community Restitution Program, El Paso
- Martha, Bebe and Mary Fenstermaker, Bexar County
Heritage Education Award
- Bexar Land Trust, Inc., San Antonio
Historic Rehabilitation Award
- The Joule Hotel, originally the Dallas National Bank, Dallas
- Roanoke Visitor Center and Museum, 114 North Oak Street, Roanoke
Historic Restoration Award
- Bosque County Courthouse, Meridian
- Lawrence House and Barn, Mesquite
- Nix House, 434 King William, San Antonio
- Oak Court, Dallas
- Wharton County Courthouse, Wharton
Curtis Tunnell Award
- City of Marshall Historic Landmark Preservation Board, Marshall
Truett Latimer Award
- Lawrence Francell, Director, Museum of the Big Bend, Alpine
Houston continues to struggle with balancing development and preservation. “Chipping away at builders’ access; City has been toughening rules on industry not used to it here.”
The following article appeared in the Houston Chronicle on December 10, 2007.
http://www.chron.com/apps/pluck/login.mpl?url=http%3A//www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5364615.html
“LED billboards will ruin our roadways.”
Karen Huber, Local Contributor
Monday, November 26, 2007, Austin American Statesman
Picture this: You're going 65 mph in traffic when suddenly, ahead on the right, there's a huge billboard lighting up the night sky. What's this? The image is changing . It's a new message ... for a different product. What's it saying now ... ? Distracted?
Yet right now, at a time when driving while talking on a cell phone is a major threat to public safety, the Texas Transportation Commission has proposed a rule that could allow a far greater distraction: giant, brightly lit, shifting-image light-emitting diode billboards along Texas highways.
Each LED sign would be like a little bit of Las Vegas plunked down in the middle of our tranquil Texas landscape.
What would Lady Bird Johnson think? I think she'd say, "What happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas."
For the complete article, please the link to the Austin American Statesman:
http://www.statesman.com/search/content/editorial/stories/11/26/1126huber_edit.html
National Trust for Historic Preservation Accepting Nominations for the 2008 America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places List
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations until Friday, January 4, 2008 for its 2008 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list. The 2008 list will be announced in May. Since its founding, the endangered list has been one of the nation’s most successful tools in the fight to save America's irreplaceable architectural, cultural and natural heritage.
Among the many sites that have been listed are Historic Neighborhoods of New Orleans; Ellis Island in New York Harbor; the Kennecott Copper Mines in Alaska; Bethlehem Steel Plant in Bethlehem, Pa.; the World Trade Center Vesey Street Survivors’ Staircase; and "The Journey Through Hallowed Ground" Corridor in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Each represents preservation challenges facing thousands of communities. Visit the National Trust’s website, http://www.nationaltrust.org/11most/list.asp, to view all the 11 Most Endangered listings.
To ensure that the most threatened sites are chosen, the National Trust uses three primary criteria to determine the 11 finalists: significance, urgency and potential solutions. Complete nominations, letters of support and high resolution photographs must be received by Friday, January 4, 2008. If you have questio
Proposition 4
One of sixteen conditional amendments proposed to voters on the November 6 ballot, Proposition 4 would authorize $1 billion in bonds to pay for maintenance, improvement, repair, and construction projects for nine state agencies including the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. $48 million would go to Texas historic sites and the courthouse program for the years 2008-2009. This includes $17 million to help fund needed repairs at 20 historic sites and $31 million to continue Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program matching grants for cities and towns statewide. For more information please visit
www.proposition4.org .
Julianne Fletcher Retires
The executive committee of Preservation Texas announces the
retirement of Julianne Fletcher, who has faithfully and diligently served PT as
its executive director for three years. "It is Julianne's decision to step
down and take a well-deserved rest and spend more time with her family,"
said PT president Libby Buuck. "We thank her for the energy and
professionalism she has brought to her role during her tenure with Preservation
Texas." Julianne joined Preservation Texas in 2004, having previously
served as the executive director of the New Mexico Preservation Alliance.
Following her appointment as executive director of PT, Julianne and
her husband Joe moved from Santa Fe to Lakeway, Texas. The Fletchers have two
children and one granddaughter. "I intend to give that grandbaby all the
attention she deserves," said Julianne. "I have enjoyed my time with
Preservation Texas especially having the opportunity to get to know so many
wonderful Texans. I want to thank all of those who have helped and
continue to help Preservation Texas move forward." A search committee has
been formed to seek Julianne's successor.
In the interim, Krista Schreiner Gebbia is serving as the
Executive Director. Krista recently moved to Austin from Washington, D.C. where
she worked as an architectural historian with the consulting firm, EHT
Traceries, Inc., and volunteered with the D.C. Preservation League. She also
serves on the Board of Directors of Preservation Action. Krista obtained a
Master’s of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design and a Bachelor’s
of Arts in Art History and Archaeology from the University of Maryland.
Since March, Krista has spent time in the PT office assisting
Julianne with various tasks which has made the transition easier. Julianne
continues to be active with PT.
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