Keynote Vol. 23, No. 3
Summer/Fall 2013
the newsletter of
Preservation Houston
Houston’s Local Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
www.preservationhouston.org
Future of the Astrodome is in voters’ hands On Tuesday, November 5, Harris County voters will decide the future of the world’s first domed stadium. Voters will be asked to approve Proposition 2 authorizing the sale of $217 million in bonds to redevelop the Astrodome as an income-producing multipurpose exhibition and entertainment facility. Preservation Houston has joined forces with local and national preservation groups to work alongside Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation to educate the public about Proposition 2. Other members of the coalition include the National Trust for Historic Preserva-
courtesy of ed schipul
Please see Dome, Page 2
Dome proposal will be featured at PH’s Annual Meeting Oct. 22
Preservation Houston is part of a coalition of local and national preservation groups working to save the Astrodome (1965, Lloyd, Morgan & Jones and Wilson, Morris, Crain & Anderson).
PH welcomes Stephanie Ann Jones as its new director
Preservation Houston members will enjoy a spectacular view of the city and learn about the proposed redevelopment of the Astrodome when PH hosts its 35th anniversary Annual Meeting at the new Houston Club on the 49th floor of One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana Street, on Tuesday evening, October 22. The evening begins with Please see Meeting, Page 2
history in print
courtesy of university of virginia press
Explore the architectural riches of the Lone Star State On Tuesday evening, November 12, Preservation Houston’s History in Print series will feature author/photographer Gerald Moorhead and contributors Stephen Fox and Anna Mod discussing their landmark book Buildings of Texas: Central, South, and Gulf Coast. The 704-page volume provides an introduction to the to the development of the built environment and landscape of cen-
Stephanie Ann Jones has joined the staff of Preservation Houston as executive director. Jones most recently served as senior director, events and league relations, for the Houston Symphony. She has almost 20 years of nonprofit experience with a particular specialization in cultural, musical and artistic arenas. “Stephanie brings to us experience, energy and enthusiasm Jones for the cause of preservation,” PH Board President Patty Porter said. “We are all very excited to have her on the team, leading our next chapter in our efforts to promote the appreciation of Houston’s history.” Prior to joining the Houston Symphony, Jones was the director of development for six years at The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. She worked with key donors and members of The Shepherd Society to establish endowed scholarships and advanced training programs for student musicians. Before she came to Rice, Jones was based in Massachusetts, where she
Preservation Houston is continuing its joint landmark designation project with Preservation River Oaks. Under the program, PH Historic Neighborhoods Resources Director Courtney Tardy provides assistance to the owners of historic houses in River Oaks who want to have their properties designated as City of Houston landmarks or protected landmarks. Since 2010, landmark nominations have been prepared for more than 50 historic houses through the joint effort, which is funded by a grant from the Susan Vaughan Foundation. Homeowners interested in designation may contact Courtney Tardy at (713) 510-3994 or cktardy@preservationhouston.org.
Please see Jones, Page 2
Please see Community, Page 3
The authors of Buildings of Texas will discuss their book at History in Print on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
tral and coastal Texas, outlines the region’s geography and history, and examines how economic, geographic and social considerations shaped local architecture. History in Print is free and open to the public. The program will be held in Fondren Hall on the second floor of the Jones Youth Building at St. Paul’s United MethPlease see Print, Page 2
ph in the community
Recent PH efforts focus on landmark designations
david bush
Texas Historical Commission has determined that the former Shell Oil Exploration and Production Research Laboratory, 3737 Bellaire Boulevard, is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Save the date: The Cornerstone Dinner presenting the 2014 Good Brick Awards
|| Friday, February 21, 2014
Keynote
2 Summer/Fall 2013 from the executive director: stephanie ann jones
City unveils a new design for Houston historic landmark plaques
Please see Director, Page 3
For additional information on the plaques, call (713) 837-7963 or e-mail historicpreservation@houstontx.gov.
Dome
continued from Page 1 tion, Houston Mod, Houston Arts & Media and American Institute of Architects, Houston Chapter. Preservation Houston has developed preservationhouston.org/dome to provide up-to-date information leading up to the election. Preservation Houston members will continue to receive e-mails as details about the planned renovation are released. Proposition 2 will read: The issuance of $217,000,000.00 Harris County Astrodome Redevelopment Bonds and the levying of an additional separate ad valorem tax in payment thereof, which is anticipated to increase tax rates within said county. A vote “for” Proposition 2 means the Dome will be pre-
served and repurposed. A vote “against” Proposition 2 means the Dome will be demolished. There are no alternate plans. Harris County officials have created a political action committee to raise funds for the campaign to gain voter support to save the Dome. Former county judges Jon Lindsay and Robert Eckels and former Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Irma Diaz Gonzalez are co-chairing The New Dome PAC. “It’s an honor to be one of the leaders of this effort to save the Astrodome and bring together a coalition of local and national groups. They have the resources and expertise that will make this a success for all of Harris County,” Lindsay said. “This coalition has the ability to reach out to the residents of Harris County and revitalize the Dome, making it a world stage again.”
Jones
It’s an honor
continued from Page 1 served as executive director of the Cultural Organization of Lowell, a nonprofit cultural advocacy organization. She was the primary liaison between the cultural community, regional arts patrons, the Lowell Cultural Council and the City of Lowell. Jones officially started her role at Preservation Houston on July 10. She replaces Ramona Davis, who retired in May after 17 years of service.
Leadership Society Many thanks to our newest members: Dorothy & Mickey Ables Bobbie & John Nau Kate McCormick & Champ Warren
Gifts in honor of david bush
Welcome to a year of 35th anniversary celebrations for Preservation Houston! We have stood for history in progress since our founding in 1978 as Greater Houston Preservation Alliance — and with your continued support as members, donors and advocates in the community, we will continue to provide educational resources about the benefits of preserving and repurposing our historically significant buildings and homes to create a more interesting and dynamic city. As the new executive director, I can assure you that we are now ready to move into our next chapter in history. With the creation of a Leadership Society, we hope to craft a future of stability for our organization. “Houston is In recognition of our my forever 35 years of home and preservation a city for which advocacy, we to have I hold tremen- hope 35 members dous pride, of this group who give passion and $3,500 or commitment.” more in annual support to Preservation Houston. Together, we can achieve this important goal — if you are interested in joining this bold and ambitious group, as either an individual or on behalf of a corporation, please feel free to contact me for more information about membership in the Leadership Society. Nancy and Walt Bratic, passionate preservationists to the core, have graciously agreed to chair our 35th Anniversary Cornerstone Dinner at the River Oaks Country Club on Friday, February 21, 2014. Please save the date for that exciting and memorable evening, where we’ll be presenting the 2014 Good Brick Awards. This year, we’ll be expanding our celebration of the Good Brick winners with a Good Brick Tour on May 2-4, 2014. Stay tuned for details as the year progresses — we think it will be a wonderful way for people in the community to experience the best of preservation! The new Pier & Beam group of next-generation preservationists is leading the way for some meaningful work in our neighborhoods. Under the capable leadership of Claire Cormier Thielke and our longtime Architecture Walks docent Dave Morris, this group promises to undertake significant advocacy and volunteer projects that will help us pave the way for the future. For those of you who haven’t yet met me, I do hope to have the opportunity to visit with you soon. To provide you with a little background information, in 2003 my career path led me to Lowell, Massachusetts, where I learned from another “cando” community what can happen when a group of professional preser-
The City of Houston has adopted a new design for the plaques identifying local historic landmarks and protected historic landmarks. The new plaques may be purchased for $67.50 each from the City Historic Preservation Office.
image courtesy of the city of houston
There are many ways to help us mark PH’s 35th anniversary year
Longtime Preservation Houston board member Phoebe Tudor, center, received the “Mayor’s Citizen Award for Historic Preservation” from Mayor Annise Parker, right, and City Council Member Ellen Cohen during a special presentation on June 23. Tudor also formerly chaired both the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission and the Julia Ideson Library Preservation Partners. She and her husband, Bobby, received a 2008 Good Brick Award for renovating their home in the Broadacres Historic District.
Meeting
continued from Page 1 a reception at 6 p.m. followed by the business meeting at 6:30 and the program at 7. During the meeting, incoming President Jane-Page Crump will introduce the 2013-2014 Board of Directors and recognize retiring board members. Representatives of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation will then share the plans for “The New Dome Experience,” the proposed repurposing of the Astrodome that will be on the November 5 ballot.
continued from Page 1 odist Church, 5501 Main Street in the Museum District. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. The program begins at 6:30. Free parking is available in the St. Paul’s surface lot on the northeast corner of Fannin Street and Binz; the church is also a short walk from MetroRail’s Museum District Station.
Ramona Davis by Dick Weekley Ramona Davis by Kate McCormick Bill Porter by Jim Parkman Recognize and remember friends, colleagues or loved ones with a dedicated contribution to Preservation Houston. To donate, call (713) 510-3990 or e-mail contact@preservationhouston.org.
Please reply with the number of those attending to rsvp@preservationhouston.org or (713) 510-3990. There is no charge for the evening. Free parking will be provided in the garage beneath One Shell Plaza; enter on Walker. Business attire is appropriate for this event. “We encourage our members to bring guests who are not yet members,” Executive Director Stephanie Jones said. “We hope they’ll enjoy the evening, learn about Preservation Houston, meet our interesting members and join!” Membership materials will be available and memberships may be purchased at the Annual Meeting.
Buildings of Texas is the 16th volume in the Buildings of the United States series, a project of the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH). “Buildings of Texas will heighten awareness of the scope, beauty and historic significance of Texas architecture and educate a broad audience about the history and cultural heritage of the state through its buildings and built landscapes,” SAH Executive
Director Pauline Saliga said. After the presentation, the writers will sign copies of their work. Buildings of Texas will be available for purchase at the event for $85 ($80 for Preservation Houston members). This History in Print program is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Keynote
Summer/Fall 2013 3
2013 preservation month luncheon
Luncheon opens a lost chapter from Republic of Texas history The lost diplomatic papers of the Republic of Texas were the subject of the Preservation Month Luncheon on May 23 at River Oaks Country Club. Almost 150 guests came to hear Houston oil executive and Texana collector J.P. Bryan and Kenneth R. Stevens, Ph.D., history professor at Texas Christian University. The speakers discussed the documents created by the Republic of Texas’ diplomatic mission to the United States beginning in 1836. The papers were considered lost for more than a century until they were recovered from Sam
Houston’s granddaughters’ home in the wake of Hurricane Carla in 1961. Bryan talked of the impact the storm had on his family as well as his role in making the documents available to the public. Stevens shared stories he discovered while editing the book The Texas Legation Papers, 1836-1845 for TCU Press. More photos from the luncheon may be viewed online at www.kimcoffmanphoto.com.
Charles Ofner, Preservation Houston board member Diane Ofner, David Weaver
Preservation Houston board member Patricia Laurent, Becky Galloway, PH incoming President Jane-Page Crump
PH board member Benito Guerrier, Richard L. Patrick
Alexis McKinney, Cope Bailey, Anna Mod, Gerald Moorhead
John Middleton, Rhea Brown Lawson
Dorothy Knox Howe Houghton, Charles Maynard
Astrid Van Dyke, Ramona Davis
Sandy Lynch, PH board member John Cryer
all: kim coffman
Luncheon speakers J.P. Bryan and Kenneth R. Stevens
Community
Director
Texas Historical Commission has determined that the former Shell Oil Exploration and Production Research Laboratory, 3737 Bellaire Boulevard in Southside Place, is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Preservation Houston applied for the determination of eligibility at the request of a potential developer for the property. The building served as a significant research facility from 1947 until 2012. If the building were listed on the National Register and rehabilitated for commercial use, the project could qualify for the 20 percent federal rehabilitation tax credit. Houston City Council voted
vationists, economic development leaders and city officials, architects and developers, cultural leaders, artists, creative businesses and passionate residents could achieve when they came together around the reuse and repurposing of mills and historic buildings. My experience in Lowell demonstrated that through cultural and historic preservation, we could create a thriving and unique community that translated into economic growth, community pride and creativity. Houston is my forever home and a city for which I hold tremendous pride, passion and commitment. I know that we, too, have the opportunity to envision our future by celebrating our past. The pioneer spirit that has afforded us the success that we now enjoy is the very spirit that needs to be recognized and honored as we continue to achieve greatness in the world. Here’s to our next chapter of history in progress!
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courtesy of hester + hardaway
PH staff assisted in the designation of the Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Avenue, as a City of Houston Protected Landmark.
in May to designate the Houston Permitting Center a Protected Landmark. PH staff members researched and wrote the landmark nomination at the request of the City of Houston. The building at
1002 Washington Avenue was constructed in 1919 as a warehouse for the Butler Brothers general merchandise company. PH recognized the adaptive reuse of the building with a 2012 Good Brick Award.
Stephanie Ann Jones, Executive Director
Keynote
4 Summer/Fall 2013
Preservation Houston 2013-2014 Board of Directors Officers
Jane-Page Crump President Chip Werlein Treasurer
Patty Porter Immediate Past President
Madeleine Hamm Secretary
Eileen Hricik Vice President
Larry E. Whaley Past President
Nancy Ames VP/Special Events
Patricia Laurent Vice President
Al Calloway Vice President
Kate McCormick Vice President
directors
Mickey Ables Neal D. Carlson John Cryer III
Bill Franks Diane Gendel Benito Guerrier Elizabeth Husseini
Madeleine Hussey Doug Johnson Penny Jones
Deborah Keyser Claire Cormier Thielke Nancy McGregor Manne Philip A. Williams Sarah McMullen Bradford A. Wyatt Diane Ofner
ex officio
Charles D. Maynard, Jr. Legal Counsel
Marlene Gafrick Director, Houston Department of Planning and Development
Bart Truxillo Director Emeritus
business and not-for-profit members 1940 Air Terminal Museum Adept Word Management AIA Houston Chapter Amilee Wendt, ASID / Wendt Design Group Axiom Bailey Architects Bering’s Boulevard Oaks Ladies Club Bud Light / Silver Eagle Distributors Canyonlands Corp. Charles W. Ligon, AIA, Architects, Inc. Cinco Energy Services Cisneros Design Studio Colquitt Court Civic Club Cooke + Skidmore Consulting Corp. Creative Property Restoration Creative Touch Interiors David Cottrell Investments E&C Engineers & Consultants Fretz Construction Company Frost Bank Gensler Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects, Inc. Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. Madeleine M. Hamm / Design Communications
Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc. HBL Architects The Heritage Society Jerry Hernandez / Russo Services, Inc. Historic Magnolia Brewery Building HistoryConsultants.net Hotel ICON Houston Arts and Media Houston Mod Houston House & Home INFILL Planning & Development James Ray Architects Jane-Page Crump / Jane Page Design Group JD Miner Systems, LLC Kirksey Architecture The Lancaster Hotel Landmark Houston Hospitality Group Lanson B. Jones Co., Inc. Lucas/Eilers Design Associates, LLP Luxe Interiors + Design Houston Madison Benefits Group Martha Turner Properties Newberry Campa Architects, LLC Next Generation Advisors, LLC PageSoutherlandPage Past Era Antique Jewelry
Pasternak Custom Homes Peggy Hull Interiors, LLC Pella Windows and Doors of Houston REHKA Engineering, Inc. San Jacinto Battleground Conservancy Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc. Daphne Scarbrough / The Brass Maiden Schenk & Company Seeberger Architecture Sibley Kopmeier Appraisal Associates Smith & Co. Architects South MacGregor Civic Club Sterling Structures, Inc. Stern and Bucek Architects Studio RED Architects SWCA Environmental Consultants Tellepsen Venetian Blind Carpet One W.S. Bellows Construction Ward & Ames Special Events William Reaves Fine Art, LLC William W. Stubbs & Associates Wood Essence Inc. Woodland Heights Civic Association Wulfe & Co. Ziegler Cooper
About Preservation Houston The mission of Preservation Houston is to promote the preservation and appreciation of Houston’s architectural and cultural historic resources through education, advocacy and committed action, thereby creating economic value and developing a stronger sense of community. Preservation Houston is funded in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. Greater Houston Preservation Alliance dba Preservation Houston. GHPA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Contact us Stephanie Ann Jones Executive Director sajones@preservationhouston.org David Bush Deputy Director dbush@preservationhouston.org Jim Parsons Director, Special Projects jparsons@preservationhouston.org Courtney Tardy Director, Historic Neighborhood Resources cktardy@preservationhouston.org Preservation Houston online www.preservationhouston.org @preshou Keynote David Bush, editor Jim Parsons, designer © 2013, Preservation Houston. All rights reserved.
Preservation Houston 2013 Annual Meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, 2013 The Houston Club, One Shell Plaza RSVP: (713) 510-3990 or rsvp@preservationhouston.org
Preservation Houston 3272 Westheimer Road, Suite 2 Houston, Texas 77098-1008 Return service requested
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Houston, Texas Permit No. 712