The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation is a private,

nonprofit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

organization dedicated to the

preservation Preservation may refer to: Heritage and conservation * Preservation (library and archival science), activities aimed at prolonging the life of a record while making as few changes as possible * ''Preservation'' (magazine), published by the Nat ...

of the historic, architectural, as well as

cultural heritage Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations. Not all heritages of past generations are "heritage"; rather, heritage is a product of selection by soci ...

Tucson, Arizona , "(at the) base of the black ill , nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town" , image_map = , mapsize = 260px , map_caption = Interactive map ...

. Through advocacy initiatives, educational programs, architectural resources, and cultural events, the foundation’s goal is to encourage the

community A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as place, norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, tow ...

to learn about and preserve the historic

building A building, or edifice, is an enclosed structure with a roof and walls standing more or less permanently in one place, such as a house or factory (although there's also portable buildings). Buildings come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and fun ...

s that make the Tucson and Pima County unique.

History

Founded in 1985, the organization is committed to honoring and preserving

Tucson , "(at the) base of the black ill , nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town" , image_map = , mapsize = 260px , map_caption = Interactive map ...

's unique architectural treasures and

public spaces A public space is a place that is open and accessible to the general public. Roads (including the pavement), public squares, parks, and beaches are typically considered public space. To a limited extent, government buildings which are open to ...

. During the early 1980s, a growing concern over the continual demolition of historic buildings sparked the conception of a non-profit organization that could actively protect and advocate for Tucson's historic built environment. In March 1985, the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation was established for the purpose of acquiring, maintaining, and preserving endangered historic properties in the Tucson area. The Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission was instrumental in helping organize the Foundation. Judge Norman S. Fenton, the first president of the new non-profit, said: "The Foundation was created by those who felt frustrated at having to stand helplessly by on many occasions and see historical buildings and part of Tucson's heritage destroyed because there was not an appropriate organization available for their acquisition and preservation." Ironically initial funding for the Foundation came from the sale of salvageable materials donated by Frank McClure and Homes Tuttle Ford from the demolition of the

Spanish Revival The Spanish Colonial Revival Style ( es, Arquitectura neocolonial española) is an architectural stylistic movement arising in the early 20th century based on the Spanish Colonial architecture of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. In th ...

Mansion "Avalon House" on Oracle Road. The Foundation's primary goal was to establish a solid financial base that would enable THPF to act quickly, if necessary, to save endangered historic buildings. Although the foundation never fulfilled it intended mission, it did influence the protection and stabilization of many Tucson Historic Properties. Funds from the Foundation were loaned to Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association to preserve the Historic San Pedro Chapel. In the early 1990s, the Foundation became dormant. In 2008 under the leadership of

Demion Clinco Demion Clinco is an American politician, historic preservationist, philanthropist, and business leader from the state of Arizona. Clinco's social innovation included reestablishing the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation in 2008 and launchin ...

the organization was restructured and a new board established. The organization has been able to save Tucson's

neon signs In the signage industry, neon signs are electric signs lighted by long luminous gas-discharge tubes that contain rarefied neon or other gases. They are the most common use for neon lighting, which was first demonstrated in a modern form in Dece ...

, listed numerous building on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

and as Local Historic Landmarks. The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation launched Tucson Modernism Week in 2011 and continues to manage the annual educational program. The foundation has worked to save southern Arizona's early

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

heritage including restoration and screenings of silent films shot in Tucson and southern Arizona including The Mine with the Iron Door and

Ridin' Wild (1925 film) ''Ridin' Wild'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Leon De La Mothe a written by Robert J. Horner and Matilda Smith featuring William Barrymore. The film was shot on location in Tucson, Arizona in 1924. An 8mm print of the Fi ...

. As of 2016,

serves as the Executive Director and Suzy Gershman as the President of the Board. In 2016 the Foundation purchased and saved the Hirsh's Shoes building, located at 2934 E Broadway Blvd in Tucson.

Awards

Each year the Foundation presents awards to recognize the individuals, organizations and projects that work to preserve Tucson's heritage : * The Grand Punch Bowl Award. Each year, the Preservation Foundation Board of Directors honor an individual who has contributed not only to the foundation’s mission, but has made a significant contribution the work of preservation in the Tucson community. The honoree keep the bowl until a new individual is recognized. The historic punch bowl originally served guests for decades starting in 1947 at the Lodge on the Desert. * The Presidents's Award. Starting in 2012 and continuing yearly, the president of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation has recognized a board member for their extraordinary contribution to the organization.

References

External links

Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation

Arizona Preservation Foundation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation Tucson, Arizona Architecture groups Heritage organizations History of Arizona

Tucson , "(at the) base of the black ill , nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town" , image_map = , mapsize = 260px , map_caption = Interactive map ...

Archives in the United States Arizona culture Non-profit organizations based in Arizona 1985 establishments in Arizona Organizations established in 1985