November Newsletter
NOVEMBER 7, 2024
PT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
2024 ANNUAL FUND
As the year comes to an end, Preservation Texas has launched an Annual Fund campaign to help sustain and build upon the momentum our members, donors, and sponsors have empowered us to gain in 2024. Many of you will be receiving a campaign letter in the mail soon, so keep an eye out!
Thanks to our supporters, this year we have been able to take significant steps in preserving Texas’s historic places, including advancing our Texas Rural African American Heritage Grants Program, furthering our community outreach, developing educational events and hands-on workshops, establishing new Heritage Lodging and Archaeological Preservation Programs, and increasing our capacity with a new West Texas Program Officer.
Your support is critical to our ability to do this work, which is why Preservation Texas invites you to consider an end-of-year gift to the Annual Fund. Your fully tax-deductible contribution will help us close out 2024 strong and set a solid foundation for 2025. To donate online, visit preservationtexas.org/donate. Checks made payable to Preservation Texas may be mailed to P.O. Box 3514, San Marcos, TX 78667.
Pictured (left to right): Hands-On Adobe Workshop in El Paso, Concord Rosenwald School rehabilitation project groundbreaking ceremony in Mount Enterprise, Undertold Historical Marker dedication ceremony in Kosse.
WEST TEXAS HERITAGE CENTER OPENING SOON IN EL PASO
Preservation Texas is planning for the opening of its West Texas Heritage Center in downtown El Paso in January 2025. Our West Texas Program Officer, Victor Hurtado, is developing an inaugural exhibit focusing on the 1936 Historic American Buildings Survey photographs taken by San Antonio architect Marvin Eickenroht (1898-1969), featuring churches and residences in the West Texas communities of El Paso, Fort Davis, San Elizario, Ysleta, and Socorro.
Pictured left to right: The 1843 Socorro Mission in Socorro and the c. 1855 Gregorio Garcia House in San Elizario, photographed in 1936 by Marvin Eickenroht for HABS.
2024 CENTRAL TEXAS MEMBER FIELD TRIP REPORT
Our Central Texas Fall Field Trip for PT members was held last Saturday in Lampasas. Participants began the day at the historic Keystone Star Hotel for breakfast and orientation. They also got an exclusive tour of the building, which was recently rehabilitated as a private residence after being vacant for 30 years.
Afterwards, participants toured two rarely-open, unrestored buildings in East Lampasas - the Lampasas Colored School and New Hope Baptist Church. These circa 1920 buildings are among the last surviving emblems of the historic Black community of East Lampasas that has now largely disappeared from the area. Additionally, they visited the nearby ruins of the 1855 Moses Hughes Mill and Dam on Sulphur Creek.
The newly formed nonprofit Lampasas Conservancy has plans to save and repurpose these East Lampasas sites, which were included on our Most Endangered Places List in 2023. Preservation Texas extends our thanks to Andy Fish and Boyce Cabaniss of Lampasas Conservancy for hosting our group and sharing their knowledge!
PRESERVATION TEXAS AWARDED $25,000 GRANT FROM DEALEY FAMILY FOUNDATION
Preservation Texas is grateful to the Dallas-based Dealey Family Foundation for a grant in the amount of $25,000 in support of our Northeast Texas Regional Office and programs. The Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of our Tyler-based office managed by Conor Herterich.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER LUNCH & LEARN WEBINAR: Saving the Luther Hotel
With Margaret Doughty and Edith Gower, Palacios Preservation Association
November 20, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
Be inspired by the story of the grassroots fight to save the historic Luther Hotel from destruction against all odds! The Luther Hotel in Palacios was built on the Matagorda Bay in 1903. The first planned demolition date of December 19th, 2022, saw protests, letter writing, phone calling, and petition signing campaigns led by Margaret and Edith's group, the Palacios Preservation Association (PPA). It was one thing to extend the building's life, one temporary restraining order at a time, but another to find a solution to revive the Luther as a beautiful seaside hotel once again. However, the PPA's vision is now becoming a reality thanks to Margaret, Edith, and their community of supporters. Participants will hear the first-hand account of How Two “Little Old Ladies” Saved the Most Endangered Building in Texas.
Current PT members can register to attend this webinar in their Preservation Texas account portal. Once logged in, click "Webinar Registration" in the left sidebar menu. If you are not a member, we'd love to have you join or renew!
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2025 CENTRAL TEXAS REGIONAL PRESERVATION SUMMIT IN SAN MARCOS
Join Preservation Texas on February 6, 2025 at the LBJ Museum on the Courthouse Square in San Marcos for the Central Texas Regional Preservation Summit, focusing on the protection of post-World War II era working-class neighborhoods.
Panel discussions will explore grassroots advocacy and preservation strategies in areas that have traditionally been excluded from preservation programs, the historical development of suburban vernacular architecture, and the cultural significance of these neighborhoods. Topics will include alternative regulatory approaches, managing gentrification and infill proposals, and best practices for documenting historic resources in post-war neighborhoods. Participants will also explore design challenges related to climate change, such as mitigating flood risks in low-lying areas.
Early bird registration is $50, and includes a boxed lunch. The registration rate will increase to $65 after December 31st. We are grateful to the Burdine Johnson Foundation for sponsoring this program.
