| |
- Arkansas Preservation Awards
- New Season of Women in Preservation
- Ramble Recap
- New Slate of Officers
- Advocacy Week Registration Open
- PA's New Office
- Save the Date: Arkansas Preservation Conference
- Thank You to our Partners and Sustainers
| | |
From the Executive Director
Greetings, Members and Friends!
I hope this finds you well. Thank you for your support of Preserve Arkansas over the past year. We rely on the generosity of our members and donors to continue the important work of saving Arkansas's historic places, and we are grateful for you.
In January, Preserve Arkansas is excited to recognize Elizabeth and the late Wendel Norton, co-founders of Norton Arts Fine Art Conservation, with the Parker Westbrook Award for Lifetime Achievement. You're invited to celebrate the Nortons along with outstanding projects from throughout the state on Friday, January 30 at the Arkansas Preservation Awards!
Best wishes for a joyful holiday season and happy new year,
| | |
Rachel Patton
Executive Director
| | 2025 Arkansas Preservation Awards | | |
The 2025 Arkansas Preservation Awards are fast approaching! On Friday, January 30, 2026, we will honor Elizabeth and the late Wendel Norton with our most prestigious award, the Parker Westbrook Award for Lifetime Achievement, along with 14 more outstanding people and projects. The Awards will take place in the Still Ballroom of Little Rock’s historic Robinson Center beginning with a reception at 5:45 followed by dinner and the presentation of awards with emcee Gabe Holmstrom.
>> Click here to see the full list of honorees and get tickets!
| | | Elizabeth and the late Wendel Norton will receive this year's Parker Westbrook Award for Lifetime Achievement. | | |
Our 2026 season of Women in Preservation returns on Tuesday, February 10 at 3:30 p.m. with Katherine Nash of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. Katherine moved to Arkansas in late 2020 to join the staff of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP), where she manages the Courthouse Grants Program as well as Façade/Preservation Easements. Katherine is also a stained-glass artist and has been a recipient of the Preserve Arkansas Witsell Scholarship to continue her education in that field. After seven years of practice, she has recently been learning how best to repair historic stained-glass windows and build traditional leaded panels (versus copper foil), both of which dovetail nicely with her position at AHPP. She has also established herself as one of only a few glass painters in the state.
>> Click here to register for Katherine Nash’s webinar.
Watch previous Women in Preservation talks on our YouTube channel here.
| |
Katherine Nash has been with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program since 2020, where she manages the Courthouse Grants Program as well as Façade/Preservation Easements. She is also a stained-glass artist. | | This project is generously supported by DEMX Architecture. | | |
On Saturday, Nov. 8, our annual Preservation Ramble traveled up U.S. Highway 65, highlighting the unique communities along its winding route from the foothills of the Ozarks to the Buffalo National River. Stops included the historically African American community of Twin Groves; Marshall, with its Buffalo River Historic Jail and Museum and Kenda Drive-In; and Gilbert, with its collection of early 20th century buildings and the Buffalo River itself. Attendees enjoyed lunch from Big Springs Trading Co. at the Gilbert Schoolhouse and dinner in Leslie at the Red River Cafe.
>> Learn more about our adventure here.
>> View photo highlights here.
| | 2025 Ramble attendees pose in front of the 1938-39 Smith-Hughes Building at Twin Groves, designed by local stonemason Silas Owens, Sr. This building now serves as a branch of the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library System. | | Announcing our new slate of officers! | | We are pleased to announce the following slate of officers for the 2026 year: Ryan Biles, AIA, of Lonoke as President; Lori Filbeck-Hart, AIA, of Springdale as President-Elect and VP of Advocacy; Joy Blankenship of Pine Bluff continuing as Secretary; Bart Stafford of Hot Springs continuing as Treasurer; Jordan Wimpy of Little Rock as VP of Development; Ruth O'Loughlin of Lake Village continuing as VP of Education; and Dr. Matthew Rooney of Monticello as Past President. Please give them a warm welcome! | | |
Registration is open for National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week! Join us March 2-5, 2026, in Washington, DC to speak up for historic preservation and its importance to communities throughout the state. Hosted by Preservation Action and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers with support from the American Cultural Resources Association, Advocacy Week includes policy briefings, tours, networking opportunities, and Congressional office visits. We need your voice to advocate for vital preservation programs and policies that protect our nation's historic places!
>> Learn more and register here.
| |
| Preserve Arkansas's New Office Location | | |
Last month, our office — most recently located at the historic First Presbyterian Church in North Little Rock’s Argenta neighborhood — moved to a brand-new old space: Little Rock’s former VA Hospital, a majestic midcentury structure that sprawls on a hill overlooking the city. The building has recently taken on a new life as The Flats at SoMa, where residents of the funky apartments can enjoy the fantastic city-skyline view. The project, which skillfully utilized state and federal historic tax credits, has brought many new residents to an ever-expanding part of downtown; the owners were kind enough to invite us into a mission-aligned partnership, locating our new office on the first floor.
>> Learn more about the building here.
| |
The historic VA Hospital near downtown Little Rock sees new life as The Flats at SoMa — and as Preserve Arkansas's new home! | | With generous support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preserve Arkansas is pleased to relaunch Arkansas's statewide preservation conference October 21-23, 2026, at Hot Springs. The conference will offer engaging speakers on relevant topics, networking opportunities, fun receptions, and tours. Please save the date, and stay tuned for registration information! | | Thank you to our Partners and Sustainers! | | |
Bray Sheet Metal
MAHG Architecture
Williams & Dean Architecture | Interior Design
| | |
Ms. Christina Aleman and Mr. Adam Smith
Dr. George Betts
Jim and Kathy Boyette
Gary and Ann Clements
Courtney Crouch, Jr. and Brenda Crouch
Courtney and Amber Crouch
Paul Dodds
John C. Edwards
John and Tricia Greer
Gabe and Katherine Holmstrom
Tommy and Christy Jameson
Scott and Amber Jones
Jill Judy and Mark Brown
Bob Kempkes and Mary Matthews
Tim Maddox, AIA
The Honorable Pat and Mrs. Ellen McCabe
Carl H. Miller, Jr.
| | |
John K. Mott, FAIA
Jack Moyer and Elise Roenigk
Justice David and Mrs. Carolyn Newbern
Mark and Cheri Nichols
Leslie Smith Reeves
Emily Jordan Robertson
Aaron Ruby and Veronica Lilly
Rose Schweikhart
Martin and Kara Smith
Solomon Family
Breck and Anne Speed
The Honorable Mark Stodola
Anthony Taylor and Michelle Strause
Ross Toyne
Dr. Charles and Mandy Welch
Darby and Amiee York
| | |
Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 305, Little Rock, AR 72203
Call us at 501-372-4757.
| | | | |
