SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY CALLS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Event to honor individuals and organizations for structural preservation efforts

San Antonio, TX (November 28, 2007)—San Antonio Conservation Society will host the 49th biennial Historic Preservation Awards on May 16, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pearl Stable. The purpose of the ceremonial event is to honor those individuals and organizations that have attained the highest level of accomplishment in historic preservation and to recognize the elite quality of work performed to maintain structural authenticity. Currently, the Society is calling for nominations to be received by Friday, February 22, 2008 on projects completed within the last three years.

“American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Antonio has enjoyed a long relationship with the San Antonio Conservation Society and supports its efforts to preserve and encourage the preservation of historic buildings and places,” said Chris Shultz, 2007 San Antonio AIA chapter president. “The Society’s goals are supportive of AIA’s Principles for Livable Communities which positively influence the quality of life in our communities.”

Charles John, 2008 San Antonio AIA chapter president added, “The AIA San Antonio applauds The Society’s Preservation Awards Program because it recognizes, rewards and encourages the sometimes arduous effort individuals and organizations go through to preserve our heritage. The Awards also bring public awareness to this effort and its importance to our community.”

Since 1949, the Society has hosted 49 preservation awards events and has awarded 400 individuals and organizations for their excellent work in structural conservation. The awards ceremonies have been held at a number of distinguished San Antonio locations including the Menger Hotel, Steves Homestead Garden, St. Anthony Hotel, Aztec Theater and San Jose Mission. This will be the first time the event will be held at the Pearl Stable, a long-time community cornerstone, that has been rigorously revitalized and rehabilitated with great care to maintain the original design and definitive character of the property. Pearl Stable will serve as an excellent venue of choice for the 2008 Historic Preservation Awards, given the critical conservation efforts that have continued to maintain and develop this historically relevant property.

“The San Antonio Conservation Society is honored to be serving in a community with a number of talented groups and individuals who are dedicated to the preservation and conservation of historical structures,” said Marcie Ince, president of the San Antonio Conservation Society. “This event allows us to celebrate the people in San Antonio who reflect our same philosophy of protecting this city’s great culture and heritage. When we keep the history of this community alive, we are able to educate the public, especially our youth, on those values that are inherent to this region.”

Buildings nominated for these prestigious awards can range in size and shape, but must show respect for the original design intent of the project and for the period to which it is restored. The categories of project nominations include Residential Restoration/Rehabilitations and Non-Residential Restoration/Rehabilitation. Along with the nine awards given to buildings located in Bexar County and the surrounding contiguous area, and one award beyond those counties, the Society hands out the Texas Preservation Hero Awards to individuals who have distinguished themselves in preservation and conservation and a Lynn Ford Craftsman Award to an artisan in the building arts and, on occasion, the Amanda Cartwright Taylor Award.

The premier award of the evening, the Amanda Cartwright Taylor Award, is chosen by former society presidents who only distribute this coveted honor to a nominee who receives more than 2/3 of the group’s votes. Past winners of the Amanda Cartwright Taylor Award include the State of Texas for restoration of the State Capitol, Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Society for the Preservation of Historic Fort Sam Houston and the 2006 recipient, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. While not every ceremony includes this honorable award, those who do receive this award accept the San Antonio Conservation Society’s highest accolade.

The San Antonio Conservation Society is one of the oldest and most active community preservation groups in the United States. Founded in 1924, the Society has strived to protect a number of historical structures that are key to San Antonio’s culture, including efforts in preserving the San Antonio River Bend and the city’s Spanish Colonial missions. The Society was founded by 13 women and has now grown to more than 2,500 members including men and women that concentrate on historical preservation, youth education on Texas heritage and community activism in the strategic development of the city of San Antonio.

For more information on the San Antonio Conservation Society and the upcoming Historic Preservation Awards, nominations and past recipients please visit www.saconservation.org.