Tag Archives: Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas

McKuin Receives National Certification in Historic Real Estate Development

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Vanessa_McKuinEarlier this month, Vanessa Norton McKuin, executive director of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas (HPAA) received certification as a Historic Real Estate Development Finance Professional (HHDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC).

HPAA is Arkansas’s only statewide historic preservation organization.

HHDFP Certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete the NDC’s intensive historic real estate development finance training series. The training provides individuals working in the field of community development with instruction in housing development finance, rental housing development finance including problem solving and deal structuring, and the creation and implementation of development programs.

The National Development Council was established in 1969 and is a non-profit organization specializing in economic and housing development training and technical assistance for community development.

Vanessa McKuin is an Arkansas native with family ties in South Arkansas and in the Ozark Mountains. As the Executive Director of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, Mrs. McKuin promotes historic preservation as a community development and revitalization too. Ms. McKuin oversees operations, development, advocacy and outreach for the organization. As the director of the Alliance, Mrs. McKuin served as the lead advocate for the Arkansas Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (Act 498 of 2009), which created a 25% credit for the rehabilitation of historic structures, providing an incentive that leverages private investment for preservation. Mrs. McKuin also serves as the Arkansas Coordinator for Preservation Action, a national non-profit that promotes preservation legislation.

Before joining the Alliance in 2008, Mrs. McKuin managed programs and operations at the New York Preservation Archive Project, a non-profit historic preservation group in New York City. Mrs. McKuin holds a B.A. degree in Art from Hendrix College in Conway and a M.S. degree in Historic Preservation from Pratt Institute in New York City.

The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas is the statewide non-profit organization dedicated to promoting preservation and continued use of historic and culturally significant places in Arkansas. Through public programs, advocacy and education, the Alliance works to assist owners of historic properties with the means and expertise to preserve and restore important structures. More than just saving old buildings, historic preservation creates and maintains vital, sustainable communities and offers unique quality of life benefits.

For more information about the Alliance visit PreserveArkansas.org.

HPAA Announces Seven to Save

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seventosaveThe Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas’s 2013 list of Arkansas’s Endangered Places is comprised of two antebellum houses, a neighborhood school, a grand orphanage with pastoral grounds, a service station shaped like an oil can, a turn of the century commercial building that housed an opera house and two Mid-Century Modern gems.

The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas announced the list in front of the historic William E. Woodruff House in Little Rock on May 23.

“The 2013 list of endangered places highlights distinctive sites throughout Arkansas that represent important aspects of Arkansas’s culture and history. Though each circumstance is difference, each of these places is important to the community where it is located and each is worth saving,” said Vanessa McKuin, executive director of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, a statewide non-profit organization.

“By calling attention to these sites now, we want to encourage local action to rehabilitate and maintain these important places.” said McKuin. “By listing these properties, we hope to bring attention to the places and to encourage local support and involvement in these preservation efforts throughout the state.”

Named to the list were:

  • Hantz & Durst Houses, 1950 & 1951, 855 & 857 Fairview St., Fayetteville, Washington County
  • Ferguson House, 1861, 416 North 3th Street, Augusta, Woodruff County
  • Frith-Plunkett House, c. 1858, 801 Main Street, Des Arc, Prairie County
  • Park Hill Elementary School, 1924, 3801 JFK Boulevard, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
  • Roundtop Filling Station (Happy’s Service Station), 1936, Old Highway 67, Sherwood, Pulaski Co.
  • St. Joseph’s Home, 1910, 6800 Camp Robinson Rd., North Little Rock, Pulaski County
  • Wynne Opera House, c. 1900, 218 S. Front Street, Wynne, Cross County

The Arkansas’s Most Endangered Historic Places list highlights historically and architecturally significant properties throughout the state that are facing threats such as deterioration, neglect, insufficient funds, insensitive public policy, and inappropriate development. The Alliance solicited nominations from residents and organizations across Arkansas.

The Alliance launched Arkansas’s Most Endangered Historic Places in 1999 to raise awareness of the importance of Arkansas’s historic properties to our state’s heritage. Previously-listed places listed include the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, the Donaghey Building in Little Rock, Bluff Shelter Archaeological Sites in Northwest Arkansas, the Westside Junior High in Little Rock, the Woodmen on Union Building in Hot Springs, the Packet House in Little Rock, the Stephen H. Chism House in Booneville, and the John H. Johnson House in Arkansas City.

The Historic Preservation Alliance is the statewide non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural heritage. For more information about the Alliance and becoming a member, contact Vanessa at 501-372-4757, vmckuin@preservearkansas.org, or visit preservearkansas.org.

Arts Center, studioMain present lecture on Bauhas tonight.

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bauhaus

Photograph by Gordon Watkinson
Bauhaus Building – ‘Bauhaus Sign’

The Arkansas Arts Center, the state’s premiere center for visual and performing arts, together with studioMain, presents a special symposium, “From the Bauhaus to Our House,” discussing the history and influence of the Bauhaus movement to be held Friday, May 24, at 5 p.m., in the Arkansas Arts Center Lecture Hall. This symposium is in conjunction with the Arts Center’s current exhibition, Bauhaus twenty-21: An Ongoing Legacy – Photographs by Gordon Watkinson, on view May 24 – September 1, in the Winthrop Rockefeller Gallery.

“The Arts Center is pleased to be hosting such a notable panel of expert speakers,” said Arkansas Arts Center director of education Lou Palermo. “The Bauhaus movement was inspired by a world-changing vision to unite artists and craftsmen, and we will take a deeper look into that vision with the upcoming symposium. We are so excited to be partnering with studioMain to be able to offer this event to our friends and members of the Arkansas Arts Center.”

There will then be an hour break for viewing the exhibit and refreshments, followed by a 7 p.m. discussion with a panel of architectural experts in the design fields. Admission is free and no ticket required. The symposium will feature four of the top speakers in the state to discuss this important movement in architectural history. They are as follows: Dr. Floyd Martin (UALR, Art History), John Greer (WER Architects and Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas), Mia Hall (UALR, Applied Design) and Dr. Ethel Goodstein-Murphree (UA Fay Jones School of Architecture).

This exhibition conveys the lasting philosophies of the Bauhaus, a German expression meaning “house for building” and the name of an important German School principle of architecture and design. The Bauhaus school was founded by Walter Gropius in 1919 and introduced the sleek, functional architecture that is found in many of today’s modern buildings.

The exhibition is comprised of photographs, plans and elevations, and furniture that capture the essence of Bauhaus design and its influence on architecture. By pairing Bauhaus buildings with contemporary examples by leading architects, Gordon Watkinson explores the legacy of such modern ideas as passive solar, radiant heat and prefabricating housing.

May 14 Architeaser

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towerNot only is the Catlett-Prien Tower Building a great example of the International school of architecture, it is also home to the Department of Arkansas Heritage and several of its agencies, including the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program.  Because of this, it is today’s Architeaser feature (as part of Arkansas Heritage Month).  It is also home to the non-profit Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas.

The Tower Building was designed by Dallas architect Harold A. Berry in collaboration with Little Rock architect Frank Eugene Withrow. The Tower Building was Withrow’s first big project.  The building was the brainchild of future Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller.

Construction of the Tower Building began in 1958 and finished in 1960 for a cost of $4 million.  At 18 stories, it would be Little Rock’s tallest building from 1960 until 1968 when the Union Bank Building was completed.

 

Arkansas Preservation Awards tomorrow night

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The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas will present the Arkansas Preservation Awards tomorrow night (January 11) in a ceremony at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion.

The annual Arkansas Preservation Awards recognize preservation efforts across the state over the past year. These achievements range from outstanding examples of rehabilitated structures, revitalized neighborhoods and commercial districts, and lifetime achievement in Arkansas preservation.

Among the award recipients are Bill Worthen, who will received the The Parker Westbrook Award.  That award recognizes significant individual achievement in historic preservation. It is the Alliance’s only award for achievement in preservation over a period of years. The award may be presented to an individual, organiza­tion, business, or public agency whose activity may be of local, statewide, or regional importance.  Worthen recently started his 41st year as director of Historic Arkansas Museum.  Outside of the museum, he has been engaged in many historic preservation efforts.

The award is named for longtime Arkansas historian and historic preservation advocate.  Previous recipients have been Bobby Roberts of the Central Arkansas Library System; Theodosia Murphy Nolan of El Dorado; Marty and Elise Roenigk of Eureka Springs; Bobbie Heffington, formerly deputy director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage; Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola; and Courtney Crouch Jr. of Hot Springs.

The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas has been a statewide voice for preservation in Arkansas for over thirty years. The Alliance is the only statewide nonprofit organization focused on preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural resources.

Founded in 1981, the Alliance’s mission is to educate, advocate and assist preservation efforts across the state, through educational programs centered on architectural heritage, advocating for preservation legislation, and assisting owners of historic properties with the means and expertise to preserve and restore historic structures.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Alliance’s website.

Learn about local preservation efforts tonight

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This evening at Curran Hall, the Quapaw Quarter Association and Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas will be hosting Preservation Libations.  It will take place from 5pm to 6:30pm.

The purpose of this evening is to learn more about the organizations and to celebrate their work saving places.   The evening is free and open to the public.

While enjoying liquid refreshments, guests can learn about upcoming programs of both the QQA and HPAA and buy tickets to their upcoming events.  Special joint memberships of the two organizations will also be available.

QQA: The Quapaw Quarter Association is a non-profit historic preservation advocacy organization whose mission is to promote the preservation of the historic buildings and neighborhoods of Greater Little Rock. The QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the “urban renewal” days of the early 1960s, making it one of the oldest preservation organizations in the nation.

Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind historic preservation in Greater Little Rock, which now boasts over 250 individually-listed National Register properties as well as 15 National Register Historic Districts. In addition to advocacy on local preservation issues, the QQA’s programs include its online newsletter, the Chronicle; an annual Spring Tour of Historic Homes; public workshops; and an historic house marker program.

HPAA: The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas is the only statewide nonprofit organization focused on preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural resources. Founded in 1981, the Alliance’s mission is to educate, advocate and assist preservation efforts across the state. Through educational programs centered on architectural heritage, advocating for preservation legislation in the halls of the State Capitol and at the local level, and assisting owners of historic properties with the means and expertise to preserve and restore historic structures, the Alliance has been a statewide voice for preservation in Arkansas for three decades.

Historic Preservation Alliance seeking Endangered Places nominations

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The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Most Endangered Places List.  The deadline for nominations is Monday, April 2, 2012.

Every year, many historic properties across the state of Arkansas are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of resources or knowledge of their importance. Each of the endangered resources holds a special place in our collective memory and helps to define who we are as a people, a culture, and a State. Once these unique places are gone, they are gone forever

The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas has maintained a Most Endangered Places List in our state since 1999. By bringing attention to these threatened buildings, sites and places in Arkansas, we seek to raise awareness in communities statewide and to create many success stories from places in peril. This nomination form is your chance to initiate your own story of success.

Properties selected for the Most Endangered Places List will be announced in May during Arkansas Heritage Month and National Preservation Month.

The list of Arkansas’s Most Endangered Historic Places is publicized each year through the announcement of the list in mid-May, which is also Arkansas Heritage Month and National Preservation Month. Press packets are issued to the media in conjunction with the announcement, encouraging TV and radio coverage as well as articles in both statewide and local newspapers. In addition, the Alliance newsletter annually publishes an article about the properties in the list, and information about the list is provided to the Arkansas Historical Quarterly and to the newsletters of local preservation groups and historical societies.

Each year, the Board of Directors of the Alliance appoints a special five-member “Most Endangered List Committee” to oversee the selection of properties for the list and to work with Alliance staff on organizing the announcement of that year’s list.

The composition of this special committee is as follows:

  • A representative of the Alliance Board of Directors
  • A representative of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
  • An architect
  • A historian familiar with Arkansas history
  • An at-large member chosen from the Alliance membership

The representative of the Alliance Board of Directors chairs the committee.