March Newsletter
PT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jesús Najar Hired as Architectural Programs Manager
We are pleased to announce that Jesús Najar has accepted a full-time position with Preservation Texas as our new Architectural Programs Manager. He will also serve as the Central Texas Program Officer. Jesús has over fifteen years of local, national and international experience managing preservation programs in the private, government, and non-profit sectors. Having served as South Texas Field Officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Project Manager for the Texas Historical Commission’s Historic Sites Division, and most recently, as Project Manager at Virginia Commonwealth University, Jesús will be instrumental in advancing our mission and broadening our impact.
Based in San Marcos, Jesús will serve as a first point of contact for members and stakeholders in the Central Texas region, and importantly, he will oversee all aspects of the rehabilitation and restoration of Preservation Texas properties statewide. Jesus will begin working with PT on April 15th.
Our current Central Texas Program Officer, Samantha Hunick will remain a full-time employee of Preservation Texas in a new role as Programs Coordinator. This is a critical position involving comprehensive administrative support, event planning, research, database management, and communication coordination aimed at furthering PT's mission.
Willis Winters Is the New President of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has elected Willis Winters, FAIA as the new President of Preservation Texas. Willis succeeds Charles John, AIA who served as President for the past two years. PT would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Charles for his exceptional leadership and dedication during his tenure!
Willis brings a wealth of expertise to his new volunteer role as President with a distinguished career as an architect under his belt, as well as a passion for historic buildings and sites. Willis retired as Director of the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department in 2019, and now lives in Mineral Wells where he has established a consulting practice focused on preservation architecture and park planning. Willis also devotes much of his time to research and writing about architecture and history.
Board of Directors Visits San Ygnacio
In conjunction with their January meeting, PT's Board of Directors and staff had the chance to visit San Ygnacio, a small town near Laredo situated on the bank of the Rio Grande. The origin of San Ygnacio is tied to a fortified Mexican colonial house (Treviño-Uribe Rancho) which was built there in 1830 to protect its inhabitants from Comanche raids. Today Treviño-Uribe Rancho is a National Historic Landmark owned by The River Pierce Foundation, and the San Ygnacio National Register Historic District boasts the state’s most intact collection of sandstone structures built during the Mexican Texas period.
PT would like to express our deepest thanks to Michael Tracy and Chris Rincon of The River Pierce Foundation for their hospitality during this visit!
Rehabilitation of San Agustín Cathedral in Laredo Recognized with Preservation Texas Honor Award
The 2023 Preservation Texas Honor Award for the San Agustín Cathedral was presented at the cathedral on January 25, 2024. Constructed in 1872, the San Agustín Cathedral is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and contributes to the San Agustín de Laredo National Register Historic District. It was previously included on our Most Endangered Places List in 2019.
Bishop James A. Tamayo, First Bishop of Laredo, and other Diocese of Laredo clergy and staff attended the Honor Award ceremony along with representatives from Able City and JC Stoddard Construction, the firms that oversaw the $9.9 million rehabilitation project. Visit preservationtexas.org/honorawards to learn more.
Preservation Texas Accepting Donations to the Luther Hotel Fund
Preservation Texas has agreed to serve as the Fiscal Sponsor for the Palacios Preservation Association (PPA), a dedicated group of grassroots advocates who have saved the 1906 Luther Hotel in Palacios from demolition. Their story was recently featured in Texas Monthly: How Two “Little Old Ladies” Saved the Most Endangered Building in Texas.
The PPA and its partners are now faced with the remarkable opportunity to acquire and restore this historic hotel on the Matagorda bayfront! Preservation Texas is accepting donations to the Luther Hotel Fund on behalf of the PPA, whose goal is to raise $2 million toward rehabilitation expenses. Donations can be made online at preservationtexas.org/luther or checks may be made out to Preservation Texas with a memo Luther Hotel Fund and mailed to Preservation Texas, P.O. Box 3514, San Marcos, TX 78667.
PT PROJECT UPDATES
Rehabilitation of Former Kosse City Hall Building Begins
Preservation Texas has hired contractor Shorty Sanchez of Waco to begin the exterior rehabilitation of our c. 1915 commercial building in downtown Kosse (about 45 minutes southeast of Waco). This building will be redeveloped as a visitor orientation center, office, and library for our future Center for Rural Heritage at Bassett Farms Conservancy.
Phase one, which is limited to the front facade, is expected to be complete by the end of the month. This work has been funded in part by a grant from the Texas Historical Foundation. Subsequent phases will address the rear facade and interior finishes. Fundraising for this project is ongoing and donations can be made by check or online at preservationtexas.org/kosse.
Phase one rehabilitation work in progress at the future PT Center for Rural Heritage Orientation Building.
Rehabilitation of 1939 Linden Fire Station Begins
Preservation Texas acquired the endangered 1939 Linden Fire Station in Northeast Texas to save it from demolition in 2022, and rehabilitation work is now underway! The first phase of the project is being done by Andrei Moore Construction of Texarkana. It will address the exterior envelope of the building, including the reinforcement and repair of the walls. Later phases will include a new roof, installation of historically accurate windows and exterior doors, and finally, rehabilitation of the interior. Upon completion, the building will be made available for rent.
The total project is expected to cost in excess of $150,000. Fundraising for this project is ongoing and donations can be made by check or online at preservationtexas.org/linden.
Phase one rehabilitation work in progress at the 1939 Linden Fire Station.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Statewide Historic Preservation Conference
Preservation Texas will be an exhibitor at the Texas Historical Commission’s annual Real Places Conference in Austin April 3rd-5th, 2024. Stop by and see us!
Registration for this event is still open. Visit thcfriends.org/real-places-conference for more information.
