September Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PT Welcomes Two New Board Members From the Dallas Area
RALPH C. ATTWOOD
Ralph grew up in El Paso, where he graduated from Ysleta High School. He went on to serve four years in the United States Navy, working primarily with aircraft and completing an eight-month tour on the USS John F. Kennedy. Following his honorable discharge, Ralph began a nearly 40-year career with Southwest Airlines, retiring in May 2022. In retirement, Ralph enjoys traveling with his wife, Anna, and dedicates time to volunteer work with local homeless shelters.
NANCY MCCOY
Nancy is a highly regarded preservation architect with over 35 years of experience adapting historic landmarks such as the U.S. Custom House in New York, the Department of the Interior Building in Washington, D.C., Kansas City Union Station, and Dallas’s Fair Park and School Book Depository. Her work has earned her National Trust Honor Awards, induction into the College of Fellows of both the American Institute of Architects and the Association for Preservation Technology International, and recognition from Preservation Dallas and the Dallas Historical Society. Nancy also co-authored Architecture That Speaks on Texas A&M University buildings and serves as a peer reviewer for the U.S. GSA Design Excellence program.
Preservation Texas to Acquire Historic Texas Hall in Tehuacana
In case you missed it – Preservation Texas is under contract to purchase historic Texas Hall in Tehuacana, one of the most endangered historic landmarks in the state and the birthplace of Trinity University. The purchase includes the 10-acre “College Hill” campus surrounding Texas Hall and several other historic structures. We are grateful to the Still Water Foundation, and Jack Taylor and Peter Maxson for contributing toward this acquisition.
Over the next decade, we plan to restore Texas Hall and transform the campus into the Preservation Texas Institute, a statewide center for preservation education, training, research, and engagement. The Institute will host programs ranging from hands-on building trades training to seminars, workshops, and residencies for historians, architects, and preservation professionals and advocates. Campus facilities will provide space for lodging, dining, classrooms, workshops, exhibition galleries, a Texana library, a two-story auditorium, and a gymnasium.
This is a once-in-a-generation project, and we need your help to bring Texas Hall and the historic campus back to life! Visit SaveTexasHall.org to learn more, get involved, and make a tax-deductible donation toward the project. Your support is essential to making this vision a reality.
Honor Awards Nomination Deadline September 12, 2025
Preservation Texas presents biennial Honor Awards to recognize outstanding individuals in the field of preservation, as well as recent historic preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and infill projects from across the state. The deadline to submit a nomination is this Friday, September 12th at 5:00 PM CST.
Our Honor Awards are divided into two main categories: Individual Awards and Preservation Project Awards, each with several specialized subcategories. Self-nominations are welcome, but require at least two letters of support. Preservation Project Award winners may be featured in Texas Architect magazine, published by the Texas Society of Architects.
Detailed award descriptions, eligibility criteria, and nomination forms can be found at PreservationTexas.org/HonorAwards.
The 2025 Honor Awards ceremony will take place on the evening of Thursday, October 30th, in San Antonio. The event will be held in the auditorium of the remarkable 1924 Scottish Rite Hall, home of the San Antonio Philharmonic.
Preservation Texas Awarded Rescuing Texas History Grant to Digitize Bassett Farms Collection
Preservation Texas is grateful to the University of North Texas Portal to Texas History for a Rescuing Texas History grant valued at $1,000 in digitization services. This grant will support the digitization of a portion of our Bassett Farms Collection, which includes personal papers, photographs, legal documents, and ephemera dating from 1853 to 1976.
The Bassett Farms Collection documents three generations of the Bassett family, who lived on a 2,400-acre farm and ranch near Kosse, which was gifted to Preservation Texas in 2012. These materials reveal the workings of a central Texas tenant farm, the daily lives of the Bassett family, their efforts to develop oil and gas resources, and their polled Hereford cattle operation. The collection also preserves the history of the African-American Freedom Colony located on the property, called Hopewell.
Digitizing this collection complements our ongoing efforts to restore historic structures and cultural landscapes at Bassett Farms as part of the planned Preservation Texas Institute.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2025 Northeast Texas Regional Preservation Summit in Plano
Join Preservation Texas for a day of discussion and networking focused on preservation planning for historic churches and cemeteries in Texas! As suburban growth transforms once-rural landscapes and population shifts leave other areas in decline, these enduring landmarks face both challenges and opportunities. Together we’ll explore strategies for adaptation, interpretation, and renewal to help ensure that these sacred and cultural sites continue to honor the past while engaging new generations.
The Summit will take place at the Nature and Retreat Center in Plano (5901 Los Rios Blvd) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 25th. Registration is $45 for Preservation Texas members, or $55 for non-members, and includes a boxed lunch.
We invite anyone with an interest in saving old churches and cemeteries to learn from fellow advocates and preservation professionals. Gain insight, share experiences, and be inspired as we strengthen our shared commitment to steward these important community landmarks. Visit PreservationTexas.org/NETXSummit25 to learn more and register!
September Lunch & Learn Member Webinar
THE ARCHITECTURE OF WESLEY CLARK DODSON
With Mary Helen Dodson, author of The Architecture of Wesley Clark Dodson
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM CST
Join Preservation Texas for our September Lunch & Learn Webinar with author Mary Helen Dodson as she introduces her forthcoming book, The Architecture of Wesley Clark Dodson. Wesley Clark Dodson (1829–1914) was a leading Texas architect during the Reconstruction era, best known for designing county courthouses and jails during the state’s “golden age of courthouse construction.”
During this webinar, Helen will share the story of her great-grandfather’s remarkable career — from rebuilding his life after the Civil War to designing courthouses, jails, churches, and schools that shaped civic life across Texas. Featuring highlights of his most notable works, including the Parker, Hill, and Lampasas County Courthouses still in use today, this book offers fresh insights into Dodson’s lasting architectural legacy.
Preservation Texas members can register now in their online Preservation Texas account portal, or email us directly for the link!
SAVE THE DATE: Hands-On Preservation Training Workshop at Bonham State Park - November 14 & 15, 2025
Preservation Texas and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department are hosting a unique, hands-on preservation training workshop at Bonham State Park this fall. Led by heritage trades experts Ron Siebler, Rick Wood, and Joseph Janota, workshop participants will learn about historic stone and timber construction methods, understand best practices for repair and restoration of these materials, and apply this knowledge through hands-on repair and replacement of damaged materials on park's historic Pump House – built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1936.
Space will be limited, and preference will be given to Preservation Texas members. Stay tuned for further event details and registration information to come!
Pictured: The CCC Pump House, well, and tower were historically used to provide water for the park.
