The Sally Wallace Historic Preservation Awards

Download the 2012 Sally Wallace Preservation Award application

The Preservation Outreach Committee is searching for nominations for their annual Sally Wallace Historic Preservation Awards. The Galveston Historical Foundation is asking the public to nominate any project that was completed between now and January 1, 2010. The deadline for applications is April 13, 2012. An awards ceremony is planned as a part of this year’s Historic Homes Tour at Menard Hall (3302 Ave O) on the evening of May 12th.

For the past 3 years GHF has recognized individuals with awards in restoration, rehabilitation, adaptive use, new construction/in-fill, craftsmanship, and community service. The category “Galveston GREEN” was recently added to recognize individuals that incorporate sustainable, environmentally friendly products or technologies into a historic property.

“These awards are the Galveston Historical Foundation’s way of saluting people who are helping preserve the essence of Galveston, investing not only money but also love for our heritage,” said GHF Executive Director Dwayne Jones. “People who win these awards are our heroes. They are among the many who steadfastly support GHF and all its programs designed to retain the historic integrity of Galveston.”

The awards are named after the late Sally Wallace, one of the driving forces behind the Galveston preservation movement for decades and a pivotal figure in saving the antebellum Ashton Villa from demolition. Wallace also was the founder of Hendley Market, one of the first major businesses opened on the city’s historic Strand as the downtown restoration movement began.

In 1969, Wallace was elected President of GHF and was instrumental in the Foundation’s restoration of Ashton Villa. Among many other achievements, Wallace worked to establish the East End Historic District and was among the early advocates of bringing the ELISSA, now the official “Tall Ship of Texas,” to the city’s waterfront.