Keynote Summer/Fall 2012
Vol. 22, No. 3
the newsletter of
Preservation Houston
Houston’s Local Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
www.preservationhouston.org
2012 annual meeting
Discover a Texas treasure at PH’s Annual Meeting Members of Preservation Houston are invited to meet others who share their interest in historic preservation and learn about one of Texas’ biggest restoration projects during the 2012 Annual Meeting at The Parador, 2021 Binz at Almeda, on Thursday evening, October 11. The Board
of Directors for 2012-2013 will also be introduced that evening, and retiring board members will be recognized. A reception with wine, soft drinks and light hors d’oeurves begins at 6:30 p.m. with the program at 7 p.m. Please reply with the number of those attending the Annual
Meeting to rsvp@preservationhouston.org. There is no charge for the event. Free parking is available in the surface lot on Almeda Road just north of The Parador. “We encourage our members to bring guests who are not yet members,” said Executive Director Ramona Davis.
staff members David Bush and Jim Parsons, co-authors and photographers of the new book Fair Park Deco: Art and Architecture of the Texas Centennial Exposition. They will share stories and images of the 1936 exposition
“We hope that everyone will enjoy the evening, meet some interesting people and join Preservation Houston.” PH membership materials will be available, and memberships may be purchased during the meeting. Speakers for the evening will be Preservation Houston
Please see Meeting, Page 3
freedmen’s town
Historic church’s ruins become centerpiece of Fourth Ward park david bush
The Barker Store (c. 1898) is one of four surviving buildings from the Barker community that must be moved because of new development. PH in the community
Varied projects keep PH staff busy
david bush
david bush
Please see Community, Page 3
The surviving walls of Bethel Baptist Church (1923, 1950) will be stabilized and braced from the inside as part of the work on Bethel Park, allowing the removal of exterior braces that have supported the structure since it burned in 2005.
Programs to focus on Texas architecture courtesy of society of architectural historians
One of the most valuable services Preservation Houston offers is one that receives little attention outside the organization. Staff members regularly assist owners and developers of historic properties in researching their buildings and applying for local, state and national designations. Preservation Houston also facilitates communication between property owners, public entities and private organizations to encourage preservation efforts throughout the Houston area. Historic Neighborhood Resources Director Courtney Tardy has researched and written the nomination for St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, 714 Detering Street, to receive a Texas historical marker. When the AfricanAmerican congregation was founded in 1902, its neighborhood in Houston’s West End was a small rural community. “This work gives PH a
City officials and community leaders broke ground on August 24 for the new Bethel Park in Houston’s Freedmen’s Town neighborhood. The park will preserve the remaining walls of historic Bethel Baptist Church, 801 Andrews Street, and adjacent green space. The landmark African-American church burned in January 2005. The building had stood vacant for several years before the fire as Bethel’s dwindling congregation found it difficult to maintain the property. The Rev. Jack Yates, a freed slave, founded the church in 1891 after leaving nearby Antioch Baptist Church, where he had served as pastor since 1868. Bethel’s Gothic Revival sanctuary was constructed in two phases in 1923 and 1950; African-American architect John L. Blount designed the building’s first phase. Bethel Baptist Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Bethel Park is a joint project of the Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority/ TIRZ #14 and the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department.
Buildings of Texas, Volume I is set for release in early 2013.
Preservation Houston is partnering with the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) to produce public programming related to an important new book, Buildings of Texas, Volume I: Central, South, and Gulf Coast, and its companion Archipedia website. The book and website will provide an introduction to the development of the built environment and landscape of central and coastal Texas, outline the region’s geography and history, and examine how economic, geographic and social considerations shaped local architecture. “During 300 years of European settlement and 10,000 years of habitation by native peoples, Texas’ diverse natural landscape and built environment produced an architectural heritage of national and international stature,”
SAH Executive Director Pauline Saliga said. “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,” she said. PH member Gerald Moorhead coordinated the project, was sole photographer and contributed to the text. PH members Stephen Fox and Anna Mod were responsible for significant sections of Buildings of Texas. Fox wrote about the upper Gulf Coast, including Houston, and Mod wrote about central Texas. Preservation Houston plans to host a Please see Buildings, Page 3
Keynote
2 Summer/Fall 2012 from the executive director: RAMONA DAVIS
david bush
At its September 13 meeting, Houston ISD Board of Trustees voted to restore funding to complete the renovation of the historic Settegast Estate Building (1938) as part of the new Carnegie Vanguard High School. The school district originally planned to demolish the building on West Gray Avenue between Genesee and Mason. Preservation Houston supported the Carnegie Parent Teacher Organization’s successful effort to preserve the Art Deco structure. The Settegast building will house art rooms, exhibit areas and a 120-seat theater. HISD is only funding the building’s renovation. The Carnegie PTO has raised $340,000 to equip the facility, including the theater’s lighting and sound systems and seating; the group lacks $10,000 to complete the project. Renovations are scheduled to be completed before the 2013-2014 school year begins. Additional information about the project and the fundraising effort is at www.vanguardian.org. Architects Moore & Lloyd designed the modernistic building as an investment property for the Settegast Estate.
The Settegast Estate Building (1938, Moore & Lloyd), 242-256 West Gray Avenue, is being restored as part of the new Carnegie Vanguard High School campus.
Houston’s Orange Crush bottling plant occupied the west end of the building for many years, while the east end was leased as retail space. Along with the recently altered portions of the historic River Oaks Shopping Center (1937, 1948), also on
West Gray, the Settegast Estate Building is one of a handful of streamlined commercial buildings remaining in Houston. Preservation Houston included the Settegast Estate Building in its book Houston Deco and on the website www.houstondeco.org.
book notes
AIA’s guide to Houston buildings gets update
Avenue CDC Executive Director Mary Lawler (left), Northside resident and GO Neighborhoods member Sarah Castillo and Houston City Council Member Ed Gonzalez display one of the new sign toppers for the Near Northside National Register District. near northside
Signs of pride in a local historic district Residents on the Near Northside are showing pride in their neighborhood and its history by installing sign toppers identifying the Near Northside National Register District on street signs throughout the area. The sign toppers were unveiled during a special event on September 22 at the Thomas Street Health Center (formerly Southern Pacific/Sunset Hospital, 1911), 2015 Thomas Street. The new signage is a joint project of Avenue Community Development Corp., GO Neighborhoods and Local Initiatives Support Corp. “My family has lived in this neighborhood for generations and I still live here,” local resident Sarah Castillo said. “I love this neighborhood and am so proud our history is being recognized.” The neighborhood of late 19th- and early 20th-century houses was built by and for railroad workers and includes the former hospital the Southern Pacific Railroad operated for its employees and the former Robert E. Lee Elementary School (1919, Alfred C. Finn), 2101 South Street. The district lies between North Main Street and I-45/North Freeway just outside downtown Houston. The neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. Although the National Register recognizes the district’s historical significance, listing on the National Register does not provide the protections that come with designation as a City of Houston historic district.
The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is releasing the third edition of the AIA Houston Architectural Guide by Stephen Fox on Monday, October 8. The expanded volume includes more than 300 additional buildings, larger photos and new tours. During its initial release, the new edition will be sold only at Architecture Center Houston, 315 Capitol, Suite 120, in Bayou Place. The cover price is $39.95. Local author and historian Louis F. Ahlbach spoke to Preservation Houston members during a special program on July 15 at the historic Magnolia Ballroom. Ahlbach discussed his new book, Buffalo Bayou: An Echo of Houston’s Wilderness, which relates the stories and hidden history around every bend of Houston’s signature waterway. PH thanks director emeri-
courtesy of aia houston
david bush
Writing this column has been a pleasure because there are so many organizations and individuals to thank for their support of Preservation Houston. We are very grateful to the Susan Vaughan Foundation for its continued underwriting of our landmark designation program and for its support of our Walking Tours Program. The Wortham Foundation has provided a grant to the Historic Neighborhood Resources program, and Houston Arts Alliance has renewed it commitment to Preservation Houston for another year. Thanks to these organizations. Our appreciation also goes to everyone who renewed their membership during our summer renewal drive; your contributions play an important part in making Preservation Houston’s work possible. If you haven’t replied yet, I strongly encourage you to continue supporting historic preservation in Houston by renewing your membership today. Along with our members, the volunteers on our Board of Directors serve a crucial role in this organization by generously donating their time, expertise and financial support. I’m pleased to announce that the board’s Executive Committee has confirmed Jane-Page Crump as president elect. Jane-Page is a talented interior designer and successful business owner. She helped make the 2012 Cornerstone Dinner a big success by serving as co-chair with Bill Stubbs. Board officers also elected Kate McCormick to the Executive Committee as VP at Large. Kate is a former Good Brick Award recipient and an attorney. The staff and I got to know her very well during her time volunteering in the office. We’re very happy to welcome four new board members: Mickey Ables, Deborah Keyser, Sarah McMullen and Diane Ofner. I look forward to working with them. Many of our directors are continuing their terms, so Preservation Houston will continue to benefit from their experience and leadership. A complete list of the officers and directors for 2012-2013 is on the last page of this newsletter. The new board will take office at the Annual Meeting on October 11. I’m always sad to see board members complete their terms. Lucky Chopra, Louise Girard, Janita Lo, Louis Skidmore, Jr., Bill Stubbs, Phoebe Tudor, Rick Walton and Mary Ann Reynolds Wilkins are leaving the board but will remain involved with Preservation Houston. The staff and I greatly appreciate the service and support they provided while on the board. I hope all our members can attend the Annual Meeting on October 11. Please come greet the new Board of Directors, thank the directors who are leaving and meet other people who share your interest in historic preservation.
Deco save puts HISD school in ‘Vanguard’ of local preservation
The third edition of the Houston Architectural Guide will be available in early October.
tus Bart Truxillo for underwriting the event. Also in July, Preservation Houston member Anna Mod, author of Building Modern Houston, was in New York City to present a program on Houston’s 20th century architecture for Docomomo US (Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement). The organization works to increase public awareness and appreciation of the Modern movement.
Save the date Join Preservation Houston in celebrating the best of local historic preservation during The Cornerstone Dinner on Thursday evening, February 28, 2013. In addition to presenting the 2013 Good Brick Awards for excellence in historic preservation, PH will recognize Beth Madison with the Community Pillar Award. Madison served on Preservation Houston’s Board of Directors and is a community volunteer and philanthropist who quietly supports many Houston organizations.
Keynote
Summer/Fall 2012 3
2012 spring luncheon
Author Steve Berry thrills crowd at PH’s Spring Luncheon
The first events produced under Preservation Houston’s new name featured New York Times best-selling thriller writer Steve Berry, who spoke at the Spring Luncheon on Wednesday, May 23. That afternoon, Berry also conducted a writers’ workshop for 45 aspiring authors at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. PH and Berry’s own History Matters Foun-
dation co-sponsored the events to promote the preservation of Houston’s cultural heritage. Berry’s works are set in historic locales, so PH selected The Parador on Almeda Road as an appropriate setting for the luncheon. The special events facility, housed in the former Third Church of Christ, Scientist (1928), received a Good Brick Award in 2001 after the landmark
building was renovated and adapted for its new use. Preservation Houston is grateful to Deborah Keyser for providing the use of The Parador for the luncheon. Berry was in Houston during a cross-country tour promoting his most recent book, The Columbus Affair, which debuted at No. 5 on the New York Times list of best-selling fiction.
Phoebe Tudor, Minnette Boesel and Clayton Erickson
David Carter and Benito Guerrier
Fran Peterson, Charles Ofner and Beth Madison
all: Karen Dressel/LastNightPics
Louis H. Skidmore, Jr., Elizabeth & Steve Berry and Penny Jones
Community continued from Page 1
Buildings continued from Page 1 program after the first volume is released in early 2013. The 704-page book includes 950 buildings and more than 350 photographs, illustrations and maps. The cover price is $85. Buildings of Texas, Volume I: Central, South, and Gulf Coast was funded by Houston Endowment Inc. and The Brown Foundation. University of Virginia Press is planning a Fall
2016 release for Buildings of Texas, Volume II, which will cover the Dallas-Fort Worth area, West Texas, the Plains and Panhandle. The Society of Architectural Historians was founded in 1940 to advance the knowledge and understanding of the history of architecture, design, landscape and urbanism. Buildings of Texas is the latest addition to SAH’s planned 60-volume series Buildings of the United States. Sixteen volumes have been published since the project began in 1993.
Meeting continued from Page 1 celebrating the 100th anniversary of Texas’ independence from Mexico and discuss the ongoing efforts to preserve the only intact collection of Art Deco exhibit buildings from America’s golden age of world’s fairs. Fair Park in Dallas has been designated a National Historic Landmark and continues to host the State Fair of Texas every year. The Annual Meeting will be the authors’ first public presentation for Fair Park Deco,
courtesy of tcu press
presence in the broader community and supports Texas Historical Commission’s efforts to document underrepresented subjects and untold stories,” Tardy said. Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission has approved the designation of Germantown as a City of Houston historic district. The new district, also known as Grota Homestead, is northwest of downtown Houston. Courtney Tardy and intern James Andras conducted an architectural survey of the neighborhood to assist homeowners’ efforts. The district includes a collection of historic houses in a variety late Victorian and early 20thcentury styles. Houston City Council will vote on the new district in the weeks ahead. Programs and Information Director David Bush is working with the Barker Historical Society in far west Houston
to find a permanent home for four historic buildings, including a late 19th-century general store and early 20thcentury church. The structures are all that survive of Barker, Texas, a rural community formerly located on the site of the Barker Reservoir. The historical society was forced to move the buildings to a temporary location after the owners of the property where the structures had stood decided to sell the land for development. Preservation Houston is also co-sponsoring the course “Houston 100 Years Ago: The Setting for the Rice Institute” with the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University. Jim Parsons, PH’s special projects director, and PH members Betty Trapp Chapman and Mike Vance will present five lectures examining Houston in 1912, the year Rice Institute was founded. Topics include the city’s economic, cultural and architectural development.
which is being released by TCU Press at the Texas Book Festival in Austin on October 27 and 28. Fair Park Deco was funded in part by a grant from The Summerlee Foundation. Signed copies of Fair Park
Deco will be available for purchase at River Oaks Bookstore, 3270 Westheimer Road, in November. The price is $40. Bush and Parsons are also the co-authors of Preservation Houston’s 2008 book Houston Deco as well as Hill Country Deco, which was released in 2010 by TCU Press. Signed copies of both books will be available for purchase at the meeting. Preservation Houston is grateful to new board member Deborah Keyser for providing the use of The Parador for the Annual Meeting.
Keynote
4 Summer/Fall 2012
Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 2012-2013 Board of Directors Officers
Patty Porter President Lynne Bentsen Treasurer
Jane-Page Crump President-elect
Madeleine Hamm Secretary
Eileen Hricik VP at Large
Larry E. Whaley Vice President
Nancy Ames VP/Special Events
Patricia Laurent VP at Large
Al Calloway VP/Communication
Kate McCormick VP at Large
directors
Mickey Ables Neal D. Carlson David Cottrell III
John Cryer III Bill Franks Diane Gendel
Benito Guerrier Elizabeth Husseini Penny Jones
Deborah Keyser Nancy McGregor Manne Sarah McMullen
Diane Ofner Chip Werlein Bradford A. Wyatt
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 Boulevard Oaks Ladies Club Bud Light / Silver Eagle Distributors Canyonlands Corp. Charles W. Ligon, AIA, Architects 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 Gensler Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects, Inc. Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. Madeleine M. Hamm / Design Communications HarrisonKornberg Architects HawesHillCalderon, LLP Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc.
HBL Architects The Heritage Society Jerry Hernandez / Russo Services, Inc. Historic Magnolia Brewery Building HistoryConsultants.net Houston Mod Houston House & Home Peggy Hull, ASID / Creative Touch Interiors 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. Legacy Community Health Services Luxe Interiors + Design Houston Martha Turner Properties Matrix Spencer Architects McCoy Workplace Solutions McLane Group Natalye Appel + Associates Architects Next Generation Advisors, LLC PageSoutherlandPage
Past Era Antique Jewelry Pella Windows and Doors of Houston PGAL REHKA Engineering, Inc. San Jacinto Battleground Conservancy Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc. Daphne Scarbrough / The Brass Maiden Schenk & Company Sibley Kopmeier Appraisal Associates Smith & Co. Architects South MacGregor Civic Club Sterling Structures, Inc. Stern and Bucek Architects Stewart Title 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 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. Preservation Houston is a member of Preservation Texas and Partners for Sacred Places. Greater Houston Preservation Alliance dba Preservation Houston. GHPA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. Preservation Houston online www.preservationhouston.org @preshou Keynote David Bush, editor Jim Parsons, designer Copyright 2012, Preservation Houston. All rights reserved.
Preservation Houston 2012 Annual Meeting Preservation Houston staff members Jim Parsons and David Bush will discuss their new book, Fair Park Deco: Art and Architecture of the Texas Centennial Exposition 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2012 The Parador, 2021 Binz Ave. RSVP to 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