OUR MISSION

Founded in 1972, Preservation Dallas is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of our city’s history and culture.  

Chaired by Claudia Worme, Michelle Walker

AN EVENING WITH ART AND ARCHITECTURE, CELEBRATING THE WORK OF FRANK WELCH

By Matt Weinstein, Michelle Walker | On Wednesday, April 3rd, Preservation Dallas is thrilled to host "An Evening of Art and Architecture, Celebrating the Work of Frank Welch." The event, which is being presented by real estate agent Michelle Wood of Detwiler+Wood Group of Compass, will be held in the stunning Janus House at 11515 Hillcrest, which was designed by Welch in 1985. We are also pleased to announce that The Janus House will be the winner of a 2024 Preservation Achievement Award, in the new Legacy Architect category.

The home—which spans over 6,300 square feet, and sits on spectacular creekside acreage—was beautifully remodeled in 2021 by Stacy Jacobsen of SJ Studio, and retains many of its original features alongside artful modern updates.

The evening will feature two speakers: Dallas architects Marc McCollom, who oversaw technical aspects of the recent remodel, and Bentley Tibbs, who worked closely with Frank Welch, and will speak about Welch's career and body of work. The event will run from 6pm to 9pm, with the speakers' program at 7pm. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Several home design companies whose work is featured in the home's renovation and décor—including The Hudson Company; Farrow & Ball Paint; Bulthaup Kitchens; and De La Vega Designs—are sponsoring the event.

The house will also be beautifully appointed with artwork from Dallas-based sponsor Talley Dunn Gallery; antiques from JF Chen showroom in Los Angeles; and a special commissioned painting from artist and Preservation Dallas board member Erika Huddleston. Displayed artwork will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Preservation Dallas.

Chaired by Megan Horan

Chaired by Morgan Harrison, AIA

SUCCESS!

By Carolyn Howard, Emma Hauck | A section of the City Preservation Ordinance popularly known as the “3,000 square foot” rule has been rescinded by the Dallas City Council. Since 2010, the ordinance allowed developers to demolish homes in historic neighborhoods that were 3,000 square feet or less without any review by the City’s Landmark Commission. The ruling caused a disproportionate number of homes in low-income areas to be demolished. The 10th Street historic neighborhood lost 30 homes. The opportunity to rehabilitate these houses was lost. This loss affected the entire neighborhood and its schools, churches, retail and service businesses as well as property values. We are excited that such a destructive rule has been rescinded and are optimistic about the implications for future restoration work.

SUCCESS IS CLOSE

The historic Aldredge House on Swiss Avenue has been welcoming guests for over 100 years. In 1974, the Aldredge family gave the house to the Dallas County Medical Society Alliance Foundation and now offers Living History Tours and rental space for non-profits.

It is the Special Use Permit (SUP) from the City of Dallas that allows the Alliance to raise the funds that maintain this 1917 treasure. The City Planning Commission unanimously approved this SUP request for another five years, longer than the initial three-year request. The City Council will be asked for final approval on April 10.

CALL TO ACTION

The City of Dallas is considering an expansion of the Lakewood Conservation District. A conservation district is intended to preserve the character of a neighborhood which in turn allows for protection of a home owner’s investment. A conservation district does not prevent new construction or expansion. Any features of an existing home are grandfathered. The long-term benefits for homeowners in a conservation district far outweigh the extra considerations that might be experienced in remodeling or building a home.

The approval of this expansion is extremely important, not only for the Lakewood area, but also for similar neighborhood groups who are waiting for the outcome. There are many residents who support the expansion, but there are also citizens who are fighting it based upon assumptions that are simply not true or misplaced fear of the government forcing them to do something to their home. Advocacy and action are needed. Simply email us at eh@preservationdallas.org, and find out how you can help.

HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS HOME TOUR

Saturday, May 4

Chaired by Claudia Worme

ANNUAL PRESERVATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Tuesday, May 21

Kalita Humphreys Theater 

3636 Turtle Creek Boulevard  

Dallas, Texas 

Chaired by Erika Huddleston

Photo courtesy of Carolyn Brown

GAIL THOMA PATTERSON HISTORIC BUILDING MARKER PROGRAM

Chaired by Rachel Hardaway and the Education Committee

By Donovan Westover, Victoria Clow | On February 6, Preservation Dallas unveiled plaques in downtown Dallas' Pacific Plaza. This plaza is the most recent to receive interpretive markers that highlight historic buildings surrounding downtown parks. The Marker Program honors our Past President, Gail Thoma Patterson, who passed away in 2009.

Gail's family wanted to continue her legacy. The markers are part of a series throughout downtown Dallas including Main Street Garden and Ferris Plaza. The markers connect people who live, work and play there with the wonderful story of the city's urban fabric. The Education Committee is working on their next park markers location.

Special thanks to the Patterson Family, Phoenix 1 Construction, Dallas Park and Recreation and the Park Board as well as the Downtown Dallas Parks Conservancy (formerly Parks for Downtown Dallas).

Pictured L to R: Cody Patterson, Robbie and Carrie Patterson Gillespie, Victoria Clow, Carl and Marilynn Thoma

CONSTELLATION OF LIVING MEMORIALS

By Victoria Clow | Preservation Dallas received a grant from the Summerlee Foundation, with the assistance of Constellation of Living Memorials/Friends of Warren Ferris Cemetery, to conduct archaeological survey work and restoration at the Western Heights Cemetery. This is part of a broader project conducted by Constellation of Living Memorials to restore cemeteries and transform them into havens of native biodiversity. Preservation Dallas’ Brinn Flores and Palmer Bradshaw are supervising the effort at the Western Heights Cemetery in Oak Cliff, with the assistance of two Dallas College student interns, Jessica Gabriel, and Oleander Leins. 

The team is completing the cultural documentation of the cemetery and assisting with the conservation of the gravesites under the guidance of Victoria Clow, President of Preservation Dallas, and Vann Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator at Western Heights Cemetery. You might recall that Western Heights was part of the 2021 Fall Tour of Historic Cemeteries and is the final resting place of the famous highwayman Clyde Barrow.

NEW FACES AT PRESERVATION DALLAS

EMMA HAUCK

Emma is the Preservation Associate who assists with administrative tasks and event programming, including the upcoming Preservation Achievement Awards. She graduated from Rhodes College with a B.A. in Greek and Roman Studies and earned her M.S. in Library Science from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Emma has a real appreciation for historic preservation and research.

BRINN FLORES

Brinn is the Cultural Resources Specialist working this Spring at the Western Heights Cemetery. Brinn is leading a small student team tasked with surveying the cemetery, conserving the headstones, and conducting historical research and oral histories.

Brinn is a recent graduate of Austin College with a degree in Anthropology and minor degrees in Theatre and Political Science.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Victoria Clow, President

Norman Alston, FAIA

Rachel Hardaway

Morgan Harrison, AIA

Greg Johnston, AIA

Steve Lucy, PE

Ron Siebler

Edward Stone

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Russ Anderson

Chris Bowers

Noelle Brisson

Nick Brooks

Charles Brower

Sheniqua Cummings

Candace Evans

Jason Harper

Mary Pat Higgins

Erika Huddleston

Juanita Nañez

Fred Peña, RA

Dale Sellers

Nancy Shelton

Jamie Slagel

Jay Taylor

Michelle Walker

Claudia Worme

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Carolyn Howard

Legacy Corporate Partners

Corporate Partner Members