Keynote Vol. 23, No. 2
Spring 2013
the newsletter of
Preservation Houston
Houston’s Local Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
www.preservationhouston.org
2013 preservation month luncheon
Discover hidden Texas history with PH It’s a tale with all the elements of a Hollywood script — missing diplomatic files, unsuspecting heirs, natural disaster — but it’s the true story of the Texas Legation Papers. During Preservation Houston’s 2013 Preservation Month Luncheon on Thursday, May 23, attendees will hear the dramatic account of the recovery of the Republic of Texas’ lost diplomatic papers — a tale that includes the descendants of both Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin and the unlikely story of how Hurricane Carla helped
Davis to retire after 17 years as PH director
start at $150 per person, or $100 for Preservation Houston members. Bryan and Stevens will sign copies of The Texas Legation Papers, 18361845 before and after their presentation. The book will be available for purchase for $50 ($45 for Preservation Houston members). The National Trust for Historic Preservation has designated May as National Preservation Month with the theme “See! Save! Celebrate!” Preservation Houston is Houston’s Local Partner of the National Trust.
Windows on history
City to host Preservation Fair in May
Preservation Houston volunteer docent Dave Morris discusses the stained-glass windows with visitors to historic Christ Church Cathedral during Preservation Houston’s first Sacred Spaces of Houston Tour on Jan. 13. Two hundred people braved the rain on Super Bowl Sunday to take part in the event. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and South Main Baptist Church also welcomed guests during the tour, which was held in conjunction with the Sacred Spaces of Texas exhibit at Architecture Center Houston.
The City of Houston Planning & Development Department is hosting a half-day Historic Preservation Fair to provide educational tools and resources for protecting the character of the city’s historic districts. Preservation Houston is among the organizations taking part in the event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Ave. Topics to be covered include repairing historic windows, the historic designation process, and planning appropriate repairs, alterations and additions to historic properties. Workshops are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required by noon May 15. To register online, visit www.houstontx.gov/planning/HistoricPres.
history in print
Free author series focuses on ‘Mr. Houston,’ Jesse Jones On Tuesday evening, June 11, Preservation Houston’s History in Print series will feature award-winning author Steven Fenberg discussing his book Unprecedented Power: Jesse Jones, Capitalism, and the Common Good, a fascinating and timely perspective on “Mr. Houston,” Jesse Holman Jones. Once considered the most powerful man in the United States after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jones had slipped into the historical shadows until Unprecedented Power sparked interest in the Houston businessman’s instrumen-
tal role in salvaging capitalism during the Great Depression and militarizing industry to fight and win World War II. In addition to exploring Jones’ singular national contributions, Fenberg will look at the Houston entrepreneur’s role in developing the Houston Ship Channel and downtown Houston, including such landmarks as the Rice Hotel, the Gulf Building and the Metropolitan and Loew’s State theaters. History in Print is free and open to the Please see Print, Page 2
courtesy of houston endowment inc.
Please see Davis, Page 2
share previously untold stories that his studies of the papers have revealed. The 2013 Preservation Month Luncheon will be held May 23 at River Oaks Country Club, 1600 Bryan River Oaks Boulevard. The event includes a reception and book signing at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch at noon. Reserve online at www.preservationhouston.org. Tickets
jim parsons
Preservation Houston Executive Director Ramona Davis announced her retirement at the March 20 Board of Directors meeting. Davis has been executive director since 1996. “For everything there is a season, and that is true in an organization as well as in life,” said PH President Patty Davis Porter. “We are so sad that our own executive director, Ramona Davis, is retiring, but it is a welldeserved retirement after 17 years at the helm. “During the years that she has led the organization, Ramona has developed an outstanding staff of three professionals and together they have increased Preservation Houston’s visibility and influence, never tiring in their efforts to promote the benefits of preservation. As we move into the future, we will continue to build on her legacy of energetically drawing new people into the love of and appreciation for Houston’s heritage. “Ramona has been such a pleasure to work with. I will miss her daily involvement in the organization, and I know I am only one of many who feel the same way. I know
bring these invaluable documents to light. Houston oil executive and Texana collector J.P. Bryan will discuss his role in recovering the documents and making Stevens them available to the public. Kenneth R. Stevens, professor of history at Texas Christian University and the editor of the new book The Texas Legation Papers, 1836-1845, will
Steel framing nears completion on Jesse Jones’ Gulf Building in this late 1920s photo.