Early Bird Registration is Open for the 2024 Historic Log Building Summit
Join Us October 10th & 11th in Nacogdoches!
The 2024 Preservation Texas Historic Log Building Summit will take place on Thursday, October 10th & Friday, October 11th in Nacogdoches. The Summit will kick off with an opening reception and keynote address on Thursday evening at the Fredonia Hotel. On Friday, attendees will hear presentations from a range of professionals on topics involving the stewardship of log buildings.
Early bird discounted registration is $100 for Preservation Texas members and $125 for non-members through September 12th.
In addition, a pre-Summit Field Seminar will be offered on Thursday, October 10th which will give participants an opportunity to visit several log structures in the Nacogdoches area.
Summit Overview
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10th
5:00 p.m. | Networking Reception and Keynote
Join fellow Preservation Texas members and event attendees for food, drink, and networking at the Fredonia Hotel. Historian Michael Moore will deliver a keynote presentation on the “Villa de Austin,” the Texas Historical Commission’s new outdoor educational exhibit at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site. As part of the site’s interpretation, seven log buildings were constructed to represent a one-block sample of how the town might have looked before it burned during the Runaway Scrape of 1836. Moore’s research was instrumental in planning and designing the project which was completed in 2021.
Beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
The “Villa de Austin” at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site. Photo by The Austin Chronicle.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11th
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Presentations
Historians, preservationists, and log building experts will deliver presentations on a variety of topics involving the stewardship of log buildings. Specifically, session topics will include:
Background and historical context of log buildings in Texas
Using dendrochronology (tree rings) to date historic log buildings
A review of how log cabins have been adapted by their inhabitants over 100 years
How to make historic log structures relevant to 21st century museum audiences
Investigation and conservation techniques used to restore a log barn
Reconstruction of indigenous log structures
Adaptive use of historic log buildings for contemporary living
Breakfast pastries and a boxed lunch will be provided. Books about log buildings, preservation, and regional architecture will be available for sale.
The Pickard Cabin at Log Cabin Village in Fort Worth. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith.
Optional Pre-Summit Field Session
Thursday, October 10th | 9:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Participants will begin the day with a visit to Mission Tejas State Park in Weches, where preservation professionals and historians will lead tours and discussions of the historic Rice Log House (1828) and the commemorative log structure (1934) built on the site of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, with a focus on their architecture and construction. A boxed lunch will be provided, during which members of the Cherokee County Historical Commission will share the history of the privately-owned Forest Hill Plantation.
In the afternoon, participants will have an exclusive opportunity to explore the unrestored 1847 log house at Forest Hill near Alto which was included on the 2024 Most Endangered Places List. Participants will engage in discussions about the building’s architecture, condition, and restoration needs.
Registration is $50 per person in addition to the Summit registration fee and is limited to 25 participants. Participants will travel in their own vehicles. Mission Tejas is 40 miles from the Fredonia Hotel, and Forest Hill Plantation is 30 miles from the Fredonia Hotel.
1934 commemorative log structure at Mission Tejas State Park.
Registration & Hotel Information
For more details and to register for the event, visit PreservationTexas.org/LogSummit. Member pricing is for Preservation Texas members only. If you are not a member, we’d love to have you join! If you are unsure of your current membership status, please email hunick@preservationtexas.org.
The Summit will be held at the iconic Fredonia Hotel (200 North Fredonia Street, Nacogdoches). Built in 1955, the mid-century modern-style building was recently rehabilitated and reopened as a boutique hotel in 2017. The project received a Preservation Texas Honor Award in 2019.
ROOM BLOCK
A block of rooms has been set aside for Summit attendees the night of October 10th at a discounted rate of $159 + tax. To make a reservation, call the Fredonia Hotel at 936-564-1234 and provide the group name “Preservation Texas.” Blocked rooms are limited. First come first served!
The Fredonia Hotel. Photo by the Fredonia Hotel.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available for this event! Your support as a sponsor will make it possible for Preservation Texas to deliver this much needed educational program, while demonstrating your commitment to protecting our state’s unique cultural heritage. We would be honored to include you as a partner.
For further sponsorship details, including levels, benefits, and how to pay, click the link below.
