Friends, members, and fellow champions of preservation. It is with deep gratitude that I stand before you as the incoming president of Galveston Historical Foundation. For me, this moment is both a professional achievement and profoundly personal.
I was born and raised right here on this island. These streets aren’t just historic corridors to me but a backdrop of my childhood. I grew up walking past Victorian homes, enjoying family outings along The Strand, and hearing stories about the 1900 Storm from my great-grandmother that felt larger than life. Galveston shaped who I am. It taught me about resilience, character, and the power of community. That’s why being entrusted with helping share its history feels like both an honor and a deep responsibility.
As I begin this role, three priorities will guide our path forward.
First, stewardship. We must continue protecting our historic structures, collections, and landscapes with the highest standards. Our job isn’t just to maintain what’s been saved, but to keep it vibrant, accessible, and financially sustainable for generations to come.
Second, education and engagement. Preservation only thrives when people feel connected to it. Growing up here, I know how powerful early experiences with local history can be. We will continue developing programs that reach students, families, and new residents, embracing new technologies and diverse voices to tell a fuller, more inclusive story of Galveston. Ensuring it is one that honors every community that helped shape this island.
Third, resilience and adaptation. Living on the coast teaches you respect for nature and the importance of preparation. Protecting our historic fabric while preparing for environmental challenges is essential. We will work hand-in-hand with city leaders, preservation experts, and community partners so that our history can withstand whatever the future brings.
None of this happens alone. To our dedicated staff, your expertise and passion are the driving force of this organization. To our volunteers, you are the face and heart of our mission. To our donors and members, your generosity turns vision into reality. And to our past presidents and board members, we stand on the strong foundation you built.
Preservation is, at its core, an act of optimism. It’s the belief that what came before us matters, and that beauty, craftsmanship, and shared memory are worth protecting.
I feel a deep responsibility to give back to the place that gave me so much. I’m committed to making sure future generations of Galveston children grow up surrounded by that same rich sense of home and perhaps one day feel called to protect it themselves.
Together, let’s continue telling Galveston’s stories. Let’s protect the landmarks that define our identity. And let’s ensure that when future generations walk these streets, they won’t just see history but feel it.
Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your partnership. And thank you for believing, as I always have, that Galveston’s story is far from finished. It is still unfolding, and I’m deeply grateful to help write the next chapter with all of you. Together, let us look forward with hope and determination, honoring the stories of our past while boldly shaping the future of this remarkable island we call home.
Thank you all for your continued support.
2026/2027 GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Galveston Historical Foundation extends its thanks to the newly appointed members for this fiscal year.
President – Tiffany Vaiani
Vice-President – Alice Gatson
Secretary – Will Wright
Treasurer – Brandon Rogers
Immediate Past President – Alicia Cahill
Past President – Joe Willhelm
Past President – Jeri Kinnear
Business Development – Alex Monteith
Galveston Historic Seaport – Jason Tieman
Development & Membership – Melissa Hernandez
Preservation Outreach – Ania Mantooth
GHF Events Inc – Kelly Morphew
Cultural/Historic Sites – Tommie Boudreaux
Public Policy – Claire Garza
ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last seventy years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, museum development, and heritage tourism. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life, and continues to lead on local, state, and national levels with research-driven programs that build awareness of preservation’s role in cultural identity and stewardship across generations.
