Keynote Vol. 24, No. 1
Winter 2014
the newsletter of
Preservation Houston
Houston’s Local Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
www.preservationhouston.org
2014 cornerstone dinner
Good Brick Awards mark 35th anniversary Community Pilllar Award will recognize Hermann Park Conservancy’s work
Please see Awards, Page 2
jim parsons
Preservation Houston will toast the 35th anniversary of the Good Brick Awards for excellence in historic preservation during the 2014 Cornerstone Dinner on Friday evening, February 21 at River Oaks Country Club. Former Good Brick Award recipients Nancy and Walt Bratic are chairing the anniversary event. The awards were first presented in 1979, just one year after Preservation Houston was founded as Greater Houston Preservation Alliance. Since then, more than 200 Good Bricks have been given to recognize outstanding historic preservation projects and the people who make them happen. Award recipients are selected by
Hermann Park Conservancy will receive Preservation Houston’s Community Pillar Award during the 35th Anniversary Cornerstone Dinner on February 21. The award recognizes exemplary leadership in the community and outstanding contributions to Houston’s growth and prosperity through historic preservation. Hermann Park Conservancy was established in 1992 as Friends of Hermann Park to address growing concerns about the park’s deterio-
The 2014 Stewart Title Award is being presented to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department for Bethel Park, which incorporates the ruins of Bethel Baptist Church in the Fourth Ward.
No place like home
historic neighborhood resources
Education essential to preservation of Houston landmarks
jim parsons
A real parade of homes passed through Houston’s East End on January 12 when preservationists Michael Skelly and Anne Whitlock moved six Victorian-era houses to prevent their demolition for new townhouse construction. The historic houses are now safely located on property the couple owns surrounding the former Fire Station No. 2 (1909) on the corner of Sampson and Preston. All the historic buildings, including the fire station, will be renovated for residential use. The largest of the houses will be restored on its own lot, one of the smaller houses will be used as a guesthouse adjacent to the fire station and the remaining four houses will be connected in pairs to form two single-family homes. Past Good Brick Award winner Janusz Design is the architect for the project. According to Cherry House Moving, it was the first time the company had moved six houses at once.
astrodome
Historic designation for the Dome The National Park Service has recognized the significance of the Astrodome by including the iconic stadium on the National Register of Historic Places, the federal government’s official roster of important historic properties throughout the nation. Although listing is an honor, it is important to recognize that inclusion on the National Register does not protect a historic property
Please see Pillar, Page 2
from demolition. One potential benefit of listing is that properties on the National Register may qualify for substantial tax incentives for privately funded development that meets the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Preservation Houston will continue to update its members on Astrodome developments as they occur.
Although much of its work takes place out of the public eye, Preservation Houston’s Historic Neighborhood Resources program (HNR) is making a big difference in the city’s preservation landscape. HNR Director Courtney Tardy works with property owners, civic groups and institutions across Houston to protect and secure historic designation for significant structures and neighborhoods. In the past few years, Tardy has had a direct role in the creation of five of Houston’s 21 city historic districts: Audubon Place, Boulevard Oaks, First Montrose Commons, Germantown and the pending Starkweather Historic District. The process frequently requires a longterm commitment. “Starkweather is a shining example of our work with residents in historic districts,” Tardy said. “It took about five years of work in the Independence Heights neighborhood to arrive at the Starkweather Historic District.” In addition, HNR is working with Preservation River Oaks (PRO), a volunteer-driven group that encourages River Oaks property owners to have their homes designated as City of Houston landmarks.
Tardy’s work with PRO, funded by a grant from the Susan Vaughan Foundation, involves identifying historic homes and completing the paperwork required for their designation. More than 60 homes have been designated over the four years of the partnership. The work in River Oaks has helped T a r d y streamline the process of researching historic structures by building a database of architects Tardy and builders who were active in Houston in the early 20th century — a resource Preservation Houston has been able to use in its work in other historic neighborhoods. In all its work, HNR’s goal is to provide residents and neighborhood groups with the tools they need to understand and maintain historic protections. The goal is to encourage preservation while maintaining a neighborhood’s distinctive character. Please see HNR, Page 3