In late 2008 David DuBois, CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitor's Center, convened a group to work on a Fort Worth nomination to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2009 Distinctive Dozen Destinations list. When Fort Worth was selected for this prestigious list, Mayor Mike Moncrief and First Lady of Texas Anita Perry led a celebration of community leaders at Thistle Hill.

 

 

With a 2008 vote the HFW board joined preservation organizations around the country in their effort to educate the public about the misunderstood genre of architecture informally called Mid-Century (20th) Modern. As a first step in the educational process, HFW's Yates-Ottmann Building at 1020 Summit Avenue was researched and submitted to the Landmarks Commission for local designation. 
 
Designed by Robert P. Woltz, Jr and constructed by Horace O. Duncan in 1953, the Yates-Ottmann Building is a contemporary interpretation of the International Style, which was introduced around 1925 to the United States from Europe. The building features a flat roof with a wide overhang on the south elevation above the entrance and front reception area.  A ribbed metal facing is applied to the edge of the overhang and wraps around the parapet. With casement windows, turquoise trim and two types of orange-colored brick, the small Yates-Ottmann Building makes a Mid-Century Modern statement on Summit Avenue.

 

Last year when Mary Saltarelli announced that she had been tapped as Preserve Granbury's first executive director, the search was on for her replacement. Libby Buuck, current board chairman of Preservation Texas, quickly emerged to the top of the list.
 
With a master's degree in education, Ms. Buuck has researched and written nominations for Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks and the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, she has been the managing director of the Old Bedford School and has participated in the Preservation Leadership Training program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 
 
At Preservation Texas Ms. Buuck has developed great insight into the daily issues faced by nonprofit preservation organizations throughout the state. "Libby has the ability to hold together fragile organizational opportunities until they solidify," reports Jerre Tracy, HFW executive director and fellow PT board member.

Thanks to the generosity of Melissa and Philip Rogers, on July 9 their smartly-restored home was the site of HFW's Heritage Club party. Their modern masterpiece at 4008 Edgehill Road was built in the 1950's by A.C. Luther (known as "Mr. Ridglea") for his daughter.  Mr. Luther's construction company also built the Ridglea Theater, Ridglea Country Club and much more in Ridglea, Westover Hills and Crestwood.

 

 

Don't miss the 2009 Heritage Club event - join or upgrade at the Heritage Club level - see special offer below

With a recommendation from millwork expert and Winterthur licensee, Brent Hull, Historic Fort Worth partnered with Winterthur, the former estate of the DuPont Chemicals family in Delaware, for the 2008 Showhouse. Designers from Fort Worth, Dallas and California were inspired by Henry F. DuPont's American, European and Oriental decorative arts collections.
 

On October 15 HFW dedicated its Children's Sensory Garden at Thistle Hill and honored the Master Gardeners who planned and installed the garden. The Morris Foundation made the garden a reality.

 

The grounds of Thistle Hill have become a place of quiet retreat for families with a child being cared for at Cook Children's. As the dominant historic resource in the Medical District that is open to the public, Historic Fort Worth always welcomes families into the park-like grounds of Thistle Hill.  The Children's Sensory Garden provides a fun way for parents and their children to experience the variety of textures and scents of the plants within the garden.