Tag Archives: Rhea Roberts

Monday Musings: Rhea Roberts

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rheaSince becoming Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter Association, Rhea Roberts has led that organization through a planning and rebranding process, expanded programming and outreach efforts, overseen the 50th QQA Spring Tour, and launched a new historic property marker program (new signs are starting to pop up throughout Little Rock).  Tomorrow evening (Tuesday, October 27), the QQA will have its annual meeting and presentation of the Greater Little Rock Preservation Awards. For more information on the awards and other QQA programming, visit their website.

My earliest memory was (age and incident)

I have tons of early memories of playing in the woods and hide and seek at my grandparents’ 1890s farm house.  

When I was in high school and imagined my adulthood, I thought I would be…

Some kind of architect or designer 

Star Wars, Star Trek, Battle of the Network Stars, or Dancing with the Stars?

Star Wars   

 I most identify with the Winnie the Pooh character of…

Rabbit 

The performer I’d drop everything to see is…

Beyonce 

My first paying job was…

After school for the Bandera County Treasurer  

A book I think everyone should read is….

I think everyone should read as much as they can.  I’m a big fan of Letters to My Daughter by Maya Angelou 

My favorite season is…

Summer  

-We are all geeks (or experts) about something. My field is….

Historic Preservation  

QQA’S Rhea Roberts receives Historic Real Estate Development Professional certification

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Orhearn August 11, 2014, Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter Association Rhea Roberts received certification as a Historic Real Estate Development Finance Professional (HHDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC).  HHDFP Certification is a professional credential given to individuals who successfully complete NDC’s intensive historic real estate development finance training series.  The training provides individuals working in the field of housing 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 two HHDFP Certification Program courses were five days in length and concluded with an exam.  Upon successful completion of the courses, the candidate is awarded HHDFP Certification.

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.  NDC has provided training to over 60,000 professionals working in the fields of economic and housing development.  Participants come from diverse backgrounds including city and state governments, public agencies, community-based organizations, professional organizations and banks.

Rhea Roberts has served as Executive Director of the Quapaw Quarter Association since August 2010.  The QQA’s mission is to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education.  Incorporated in 1968, the QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the urban renewal projects of the early 1960s.  Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind preservation in Greater Little Rock.

 

Sen. David Pryor speaks, Mayor Stodola an honoree at Quapaw Quarter annual meeting tonight

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QQAThe Quapaw Quarter Association will host its annual membership meeting on Wednesday, October 2 in the Ottenheimer Theater at Historic Arkansas Museum.  The evening will begin with a 5:30 p.m. reception in the atrium, the membership meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.  Nonmembers of the organization are invited to join at the door.

Board members standing for re-election this year are:
Chuck Cliett
John Herzog
Gabe Holmstrom
Cheri Nichols
Shana Woodard

Following a short business meeting, the Greater Little Rock Preservation Awards will be presented to projects in SoMa, the Governor’s Mansion Historic District, MacArthur Park Historic District and Main Street Commercial Historic District.  Anthony Black will receive the Peg Smith Award for his many years of exemplary volunteer work on QQA projects and programs.  Mayor Mark Stodola will receive the Jimmy Strawn Award.  Since 1980, the QQA has presented its most prestigious award to “someone whose efforts on behalf of the preservation of Greater Little Rock’s architectural heritage are an inspiration to the entire community.”

Senator David Pryor will join the QQA as guest speaker to close out the evening.

The Quapaw Quarter Association’s mission is to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education.

Incorporated in 1968, the QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the urban renewal projects of the early 1960s. Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind historic preservation in Greater Little Rock.

Rhea Roberts serves as the executive director.

QQA Annual Meeting and Awards

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QQA logo 2 colorThe Quapaw Quarter Association will hold its annual meeting tonight and present the Greater Little Rock Preservation Awards.

At 5pm, a reception will begin with the program starting at 5:30pm.  The program will take place at The Joint in the Argenta district.

The featured speaker will be Kim Trent of Knox Heritage in Knoxville TN.  She brings a diverse background to her current role, including experience in journalism, community organizing, community development banking, public relations and non-profit management. She has worked in preservation professionally and as a community volunteer and advocate at the local, state and national level for more than 16 years and is a proponent of preservation-based community and economic development.

Following the annual meeting, which is open to the public, there will be a members only reception at 7pm.  Memberships to the Quapaw Quarter Association will be available for purchase.

Rhea Roberts is the executive director of the Quapaw Quarter Association.

The Quapaw Quarter Association’s mission is to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education. The QQA promotes the preservation and enhancement of the historic buildings and neighborhoods of Little Rock.  It is a Local Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

 

Quapaw Quarter Conversations Tonight

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The Quapaw Quarter Association’s monthly Preservation Conversations continue this evening. This month’s focus is a closer look at the houses which were on the 2012 Spring Tour of Homes. The discussion will be led by architectural historian Callie Williams.

The program begins at 5:30pm at Curran Hall, 615 E Capital Avenue. From 5 to 5:30 a reception will take place. After the conversation, guests are encouraged to continue the discussion over dinner at Lulav Eatery, which will be giving a 25% discount to Preservation Conversation attendees on Monday evening.

The Quapaw Quarter Association was incorporated in 1968. It focuses on promoting historic preservation throughout the Little Rock region. Rhea Roberts is the executive director.

Quapaw Quarter Spring Tour this weekend

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The 48th Annual Quapaw Quarter Association Spring Tour takes place this Saturday and Sunday.

P. Allen Smith’s Original Garden Home and the historic YMCA building headline a series of events to be held in conjunction with the Quapaw Quarter Association’s 2012 Spring Tour of Homes this Mother’s Day weekend, May 12-13.

This year’s featured properties fall within an area designated recently as one of the nation’s best places to purchase a historic home by This Old House Magazine. The tour offers participants the opportunity to step inside the restored and renovated homes, stroll through one of the Quapaw Quarter’s charming neighborhoods and meet the locals.

“Judging by the marked increase in real estate activity that we’ve seen in the area this year alone, it’s clear that public perception of the Quapaw Quarter is growing increasingly positive,” said Rhea Roberts, executive director of the Quapaw Quarter Association. “The homes here are architecturally beautiful, the neighborhoods offer quick access to the entire city, and the residents have built tight-knit communities. That’s a rare mix.”

In addition to the garden of P. Allen Smith, who The New York Times tabbed as “The Martha Stewart of the South,” the tour features a handful of privately owned homes along Arch and Gaines Streets, all within walking distance of each other.  Among them are the Charles Thompson-designed Croxson House and the recently rehabilitated Boyle House.

Tickets are available for the Mother’s Day weekend festivities, which include the exclusive candlelight tour, then dinner and gala at the Spanish Revival YMCA building on Saturday, as well as the Sunday afternoon tour from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Proceeds benefit the historic preservation programs of the QQA. For tickets and more information, email mfiser@quapaw.com or call 501-371-0075.

Ticket booths for the Sunday afternoon tour will be located at the intersection of Wright Avenue and Gaines Street, and at the intersection of 21st Street and Arch Street.

SPONSORS

2012 Spring Tour Patrons  – Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation

2012 Spring Tour Sponsors  – Arkansas Democrat-Gazette * Centennial Bank * Community Bakery * Scott Heffington, Crye-Leike Real Estate * Empress of Little Rock * Ritzen Group, Inc. * Ruebel Funeral Home * Summit Bank * The Villa Marre * Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson Architects

2012 Spring Tour Donors  – Arkansas Destinations, Inc. * Ausum Realty * Brad Barnett Insurance Agency * Bray Sheet Metal * Bonnie Montgomery * Boulevard Bread Company * Capital Bar and Grill * Ciao Italian Restaurant * CM Construction, Inc. * Community Bakery * Fresh Market * Grapevine Wines and Spirits * Hortus, Ltd. * Lulav Eatery * Mickey Rigby * Mountain Valley Spring Water * R&E Supply * SBiP’s Restaurant * Stacy Hamilton, Pulaski Heights Realty * The Empty Vase * Tony Curtis Realtors * Tropical Smoothie Café * Waynette Traub

 

Preservation Conversations: Historic Tile

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When one sees a restored building or a building in need of restoration – the quality of tile work is often a key factor in the success.  Little Rock City Hall and the Capital Hotel are two notable examples of restorations which have showcased their historic tiles.  With that in mind, this month’s Quapaw Quarter Association “Preservation Conversation” is on historic tiles.

Bryan Byrd, a ceramic engineer at American Restoration Tile will be giving the presentation.  American Restoration Tile is a custom ceramic tile manufacturing company based here in Little Rock.  It specializes in reproducing the tiles of the past to facilitate restoration of historically significant buildings and residences. We use modern manufacturing technology and decades of ceramic engineering experience to exactly duplicate the sizes and colors of old ceramic tile installations.

Beginning at 5:00, Curran Hall will be open for patrons to enjoy a glass of wine, programs start at 5:30 p.m. and last for one hour.  After the official program concludes, all are invited to keep the conversation going and enjoy a discounted dinner at nearby Copper Grill, 300 East Third Street.

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. Rhea Roberts is the Executive Director.