News

PT Announces Call for Nominations for the 2010 Preservation Honor Awards

Founded in 1985, named a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic preservation in 1998, Preservation Texas is a leader in advocacy for the preservation of Texas’ historic resources. The annual honor awards program recognizes accomplishments in historic preservation across the state that inspire us all and encourage us in our efforts to protect the historic resources of Texas. It is our desire to give local communities the opportunity to honor their preservationists and share their accomplishments with others. Applications must be postmarked September 30, 2009

Governor Perry proclaims May 2009 as "Historic Preservation Month"

In his proclamation dated April 29, 2009, the Governor said "Throughout our storied history, Texas leaders and everyday citizens have become heroes, while buildings and tracts of land have been transformed into historical landmarks. This history is important part of our identity, and preservation of our historic sites and places is an important priority for all Texans."

Galveston Historical Foundation Announces a Preliminary Assessment of Damage to its Historic Properties after Hurricane Ike

The Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) announced today a preliminary assessment of the damage to its historic properties due to Hurricane Ike.

“The news is serious, but certainly not as bad as we feared,” said GHF executive director Dwayne Jones, speaking from the foundation's temporary headquarters in the offices of Preservation Texas in Austin. “Most importantly, of course, all our people came through without injury. As for the properties, some fared better than others.”

First reports from the scene indicate the following:

The 1861 U. S. Custom House, GHF's headquarters, was flooded by as much as 8 feet of water, causing damage to files, archives, equipment, systems and inventory. Structural damage seems to be limited to an upstairs door onto the gallery, although the extent of roof damage if any is not yet known.

The 1877 tall ship Elissa, restored by GHF in 1982 and a proud symbol of Galveston, seems to have ridden out the storm with little damage beyond the loss of several of her sails. Large steel piles driven deeply in to the harbor bottom allow the vessel to remain attached to the shore even beyond the estimated 18 foot rise of water on Friday.

The Texas Seaport Museum at pier 22, Elissa's home berth, did not do as well, suffering considerable damage to the brick and wooden pier structure, and a suspected total loss of the wooden workshops which serve the maintenance needs of the ship. The Seaport Museum itself, in the 1990 Jones Building, is suffered little damage. The shrimp boat Santa Maria in her slip at Pier 19 had only minor damage.

The 1857 Italianate mansion Ashton Villa at 24th and Broadway lost two to three windows on the second floor, and had as much as 18 inches of flooding on the first. Damage to furniture on the first floor and windowless parts of the second floor must be extensive.

The 1889 Gresham House at 14th and Broadway, known as the Bishop's Palace and the most visited historic attraction on the island, seems to have weathered the storm with little damage, as it did during the Great Storm of 1900. The bottom floor of the building, which contains offices, a ticket counter, and has been in the process of renovation as a visitors center, is actually a little below grade. It was subject to as much as three feet of flooding.

The city's two oldest residential houses, the 1838 Michel B. Menard House and the 1839 Samuel May Williams house, suffered surprisingly little visible damage.

Garten Verein, the 1880 German dancing pavilion in Kempner Park managed by the foundation, seems to be undamaged.  

The wooden 1859 St Joseph's Church building, the state' oldest German Catholic Church lost one window, but was otherwise undamaged. Its wooden steeple, somewhat truncated in the 1900 storm, still stands.

Damage to the contents of the foundation's warehouse on Mechanic street was extensive, as it was inundated with at least 10 feet of active water. Most of the physical equipment used during Dickens on The Strand, the foundation's popular holiday festival, was destroyed. The foundation's Salvage Warehouse at the Sealy Garage building suffered window damage and flooding of several feet.

The Galveston County Historical Museum, a joint project of GHF and the Galveston County Commissioners Court, showed a flood line below the entrance to the first floor of the 1921 City National Bank building, and barring roof damage, it should be unharmed.

XIT Ranch

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

“As rain falls, Governor's Mansion still missing roof. A temporary cover should be up by now, some experts say.” Mike Ward, Austin American-Statesman

To donate

The Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund
P.O. Box 12878
Austin, TX  78711-2878
Phone: 866.771.5829
www.texasonline.com

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.

• 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.

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