FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2009
CONTACT: Molly Dannenmaier
Director of Marketing and Public Relations,
409-765-7834
molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org

Galveston Preservationist Pat Burns Named GHF’s 2009 Steel Oleander Recipient

Pat Burns, one of Galveston’s leading preservationists, has been selected as Galveston Historical Foundation’s (GHF)’s 16th annual “Steel Oleander.” The award, a cast oleander blossom sculpted by the late Galveston sculptor David Moore, will be given at a luncheon on Friday, May 15. The event, sponsored by GHF, will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Garten Verein Pavilion. Luncheon tickets cost $50 each. Reserved tables for 10 are available for $750. There will also be a reception honoring Mrs. Burns at the Menard House, 1605 33rd Street, on Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m., the evening before the luncheon. Package tickets that include both the reception and the luncheon are $75 per individual or $1000 for a table for 10. To make reservations, call 409-765-7834.

“In accepting this award, Pat Burns joins an impressive roster of preservationists, philanthropists, social activists and educators,” said Beth Shriner, Assistant Director and Director of Historic Properties at GHF. “These women have all had a strong and positive impact on our island, and we feel Pat’s contributions and leadership entitle her to be counted among them.”

The Steel Oleander Award is given each year to salute an outstanding Galveston woman whose community service reflects the ideals and independent spirit of Miss Bettie Brown of Ashton Villa. Frost Bank is the major sponsor of the event, with additional contributions by Stewart Title. Proceeds from the event benefit Ashton Villa.

Mrs. Burns, along with her husband Fred Burns, is responsible for the restoration of two of Galveston’s most important residential landmarks, the 1838 Menard House, the use of which the couple has donated to Galveston Historical Foundation; and the 1856 Hutchings House, which the couple uses as their Galveston residence. Both houses have received extensive media attention for the national significance of their restorations. The Menard House won first place in the annual preservation awards given by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1995. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mrs. Burns’ love of historic preservation was directly influenced by her membership on the board of Galveston Historical Foundation. She and her husband owned a beach house on the West end of Galveston for many years when their children were young. As the children got older she became more active as a Galveston volunteer. Soon she was invited to become a member of Galveston Historical Foundation’s board of directors. During her time on the board, GHF purchased, through its Revolving Fund, the city’s oldest residence, the Menard House, which had been abandoned and deteriorating for years. GHF’s plan was to stabilize this important landmark and find a private buyer who would fully restore it.

Mrs. Burns was unable to get the house off her mind. After months of discussions with her family and members of the Galveston community, she and her husband bought the Menard House in 1994 and spent a year restoring it and purchasing a museum-quality collection of federal period antiques with which to furnish it. Then they donated its use to Galveston Historical Foundation, which has used it as a house museum, an event venue, and a residence for visiting scholars and special guests since 1995. The intensity of the Menard House experience solidified Mrs. Burns’ commitment to Galveston. The native-born, lifelong Houstonian moved to Galveston with her husband in 1996. The couple has since purchased the two buildings just south of the Menard House on 33rd Street and are making plans to renovate them as well.

Besides all her work with Galveston Historical Foundation, Mrs. Burns has been an active volunteer for many years in both Houston and Galveston. She has been a member of the Development Board of UTMB, and has served on the boards of the Methodist Retirement Communities of Texas, Edgewater Retirement Community of Galveston, (president), Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church, and the 1894 Grand Opera House, (president). She was a member of the Bible Study Fellowship for 25 years and class administrator for the last 10. She has served on the Board of the Society of the Performing Arts in Houston. Along with her husband, Mrs. Burns was the honoree at the 2000 Houston Grand Opera Ball.

Mrs. Burns and her husband are past co-chairmen of the National Trust Council in Washington, D.C. She is a past president of Galveston Historical Foundation.

Mrs. Burns (Patricia Whitworth) was born in Houston, one of three children to Clara Louise Lockett Whitworth and Thomas Craney Whitworth. Her family moved frequently when Pat was school-aged. By the time she was a teenager, the family was back in Houston and Pat was a student at Lamar High School where she met Fred. The couple dated for three years before marrying at Bellaire Methodist Church when they were both 20.

Mrs. Burns has three children, Dana Black of Wharton, Texas; Frederick (Rick) Clifford Burns, Jr., of Bellaire, Texas; and Edward Drew Burns of Greatwood-Sugarland, Texas. Her seven grandchildren have brought her particular joy. “They are spectacular,” she says.