FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Will Wright
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Office: 409-765-3404
will.wright@galvestonhistory.org

Galveston Historical Foundation Taking Applications For The 2011 Sally Wallace Historic Preservation Awards And Nominees For The Heritage At Risk List

Download the 2011 Sally Wallace Historic Preservation Awards Nomination Form

Download the 2011 Heritage At Risk Nomination Form

Galveston Island, Texas, March 18, 2011 – Is there a historic Galveston building that you have seen transformed by the hard work and diligence of a respectful owner over the past 2 years? Do you feel those responsible should receive some positive recognition for their investment in Galveston’s heritage? The Galveston Historical Foundation’s (GHF) Preservation Outreach Committee wants to know about these projects for the 2011 Sally Wallace Historic Preservation Awards being held the evening of May 12th at Menard Hall at 3302 Ave O.

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.

To review the 2010 Award Winners visit our web page at www.galvestonhistory.org/Preservation_Awards2010.asp

Along with asking for nominees to be recognized for their accomplishments in helping to save a Galveston building, GHF is also asking for the community’s input on additions to our annual Heritage at Risk List. GHF has compiled its annual Heritage at Risk List as a way to highlight endangered properties on Galveston Island and to help guide our advocacy programming over the coming year. Since its inception in 2003, GHF’s Heritage at Risk List has brought attention to historic buildings and resources in danger of being lost around Galveston Island.

The Heritage at Risk List currently includes the eastern portion of the Hendley Block (2000 Strand), The Jean Lafitte Hotel (21st St. and Church), the former Falstaff Brewery complex (3300 Church), the Star State Fire Company No. 3 Fire Station (2828 Market), The Robles House (1328 Church), vacant Fort Crockett properties (41-4500 Seawall), Galveston’s Unprotected Historic Neighborhoods, with 2010’s new additions of the Martingano Building (314 18th St.), the William P. Lynch House (3228 Ave P), and the Martini Theatre (524 21st St.).

As an example of the effect of the being included on the Heritage at Risk List, this year we remove the Liberty McKinney/McDonald House at 926 Winnie from our listing. GHF recently purchased the property and will be stabilizing it over the coming months.

The deadline for nominations for both the Historic Preservation Awards and the Heritage at Risk List is April 15th, 2011 at 4pm.

The Sally Wallace Historic Preservation Awards and the Heritage at Risk List will be announced to the public at the awards ceremony May 12th at Menard Hall at 3302 Ave O.

Nomination forms for both the Historic Preservation Awards and the Heritage at Risk List are available at the 1861 U.S. Custom House at 502 20th Street, the Architectural Salvage Warehouse at 908 23rd Street and on the GHF website at www.galvestonhistory.org

For more information on the 2011 Sally Wallace Historic Preservation Awards and Heritage at Risk List, please contact GHF’s Matt Farragher at 409-765-3424 or at info@galvestonhistory.org.