Item 4 - Backup - Presentation - Preservation Austin — original pdf

Backup

PRESERVATION AUSTIN was founded as the Heritage Society of Austin in 1953. As one of the oldest citywide preservation nonprofits in the United States, we’ve been advocates and stewards of our city’s historic places for generations bearing witness to Austin’s incredible growth. OUR MISSION Preservation Austin exists to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. In the 1970s the Heritage Society’s revolving fund and major loan program supported many of the historic buildings we treasure today: In the 1970s the Heritage Society’s revolving fund and major loan program supported many of the historic buildings we treasure today: ● Bought and sold to preservationists ○ Lundberg Bakery ○ Eugene Bremond House ○ Hirschfeld Moore ○ Walter Tips Building ● Gave major loans to ○ Governors Mansion ($25,000) ○ Elisabet Ney Museum ($50,000) ○ Paramount Theatre ($70,000) ○ Austin History Center ($60,000) ● Saved the Driskill by buying the final $105,000 in stock needed to purchase and preserve it Today we’re focused on supporting legacy businesses, underrepresented heritage, and providing policy solutions to tackle major challenges facing our city. Today we’re focused on supporting legacy businesses, underrepresented heritage, and providing policy solutions to tackle major challenges facing our city. ● 2019 marked a phase of investment in expanded organizational capacity. ● Strategic plan emphasized representing the generational, cultural, and racial diversity of the city we serve. ● Capital campaign and rehabilitation of McFarland-McBee House as headquarters. ● Staff expanded from 2 to 5.5 to support advocacy, programming, and operations. Preservation Austin has applied for and received three heritage grants: Preservation Austin has applied for and received three heritage grants: ● 2022 grant for structural repairs to the McFarland-McBee House ($250K) ● 2023 grant for 2024 Homes Tour ($30K) ● 2026 grant for 2026 Legacy Business Month ($62,135) Process of applying for the heritage grants: Process of applying for the heritage grants: ● 2022 grant for structural repairs to the McFarland-McBee House ($250K) ○ Application/reporting managed by Executive Director ● 2023 grant for 2024 Homes Tour ($30K) ○ Application/reporting managed by Policy & Outreach Planner (communications staff) ● 2026 grant for 2026 Legacy Business Month ($62,135) ○ Application/reporting managed by Learning & Engagement Manager (programming staff) Plans for the grant: ● Legacy Business Month celebrates long-time businesses that shape Austin’s culture. ● October 2026 will mark our fourth year of this program, and 40+ businesses featured to-date. ● Grant funds help us reach new audiences with ads in regional publications, rack cards distributed to area hotels, and a doubled passport run. ● The landmark McFarland-McBee House is now a passport pick-up point, lending to a comprehensive heritage tourism experience. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! BRIDGET GAYLE GROUND LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER bridget@preservationaustin.org