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The Jaws of Death

356 Mulberry passes away.

This animated sequence of ten pictures was taken around 2:30 pm, Monday, July 18. This is a view from the south side (two of WLOK's antennas are visible). After this sequence was shot, only the front facade (west side) remained standing. 

Photos by Mike Cromer / freshbits.com

Please!!!! Don't let this happen to another Memphis Landmark!!

356 Mulberry faces wrecking ball...again

Please review the important information below about the pending demolition (again) of this Historic African American Landmark, The Eureka Hotel, 356 Mulberry.

Please note that it has been determined that the Hotel structure can not be moved due to its construction. This has been confirmed. Memphis Heritage has actively been recruiting and referring non-profit organizations that have the capabilities to take the project but as of yet the the owners, Henry and Cheri Rudner have not been willing to work with any of these groups. No official information has been distributed about what the qualifications are for the owners to approve the gift. The owners of the property also own Ampro Industries, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of ethnic hair care products. 

We must do everything possible to help save this irreplaceable piece of Black History.
Please call Deidre Malone, the Carter Malone group (serving as the owners' representative to handle the communication regarding the fate of the Eureka.) 278-0881 or 409-9899. Please call her today an voice your concern about the future of this Landmark!!

Thank you for your support of this effort.
If you have other questions please contact me at 529-9828.
June

June W. West
Executive Director
Memphis Heritage, Inc.
www.memphisheritage.org

Thanks to the DNA for their great coverage of this story!!!

Links:

MHI 2005 Preservation Series:
Great Neighborhoods I:
UPTOWN, DOWNTOWN, & MIDTOWN

Preservation enthusiasts--history buffs--architecture lovers
Did you know that Uptown started as Memphis' first suburb? That South Main condos used to be warehouses? That the gazebo in Cooper-Young is where streetcars turned around? Join MHI as it presents Great Neighborhoods I, the first in a series highlighting the history and evolution of the diverse and historically important neighborhoods that continue to make their mark on our city.

Click here to see the program and details

MHI Helps Save Historic African American Hotel

356 Mulberry Spared the Wrecking Ball at Last Possible Minute

Memphis Heritage helped save a 120-year old house with a forgotten history from the wrecker's ball this month. The red brick Victorian at 356 Mulberry, it turns out, was once an upscale hotel for African Americans.

Henry and Cheri Rudner had recently inherited the property from Cheri's father and they were preparing to demolish the red brick structure, which was just a shadow of its former self. Its upper porch and roof now gone, it had been savaged by hurricane Elvis, and stripped over the years of much of its interior woodwork.

But the Rudners didn't know its true history.

Click here to read more

Also see: Owners to Donate, not Demolish, Memphis' Oldest African American Hotel Preservation Online, National Trust for Historic Preservation, February 2, 2005

 





Memphis Heritage, 
Graceland Present
2005 Calendar

Newman images all copyright (c) 2004 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. All Rights Reserved

Trolley Night unveiling draws crowds to MHI on South Main

Sales said brisk for unique 18-month edition, featuring Elvis memorabilia matched to Don Newman photos

Officials of Memphis Heritage, Inc and Elvis Presley Enterprises unveiled the latest MHI calendar to enthusiastic crowds at Novembers Trolley Night event in downtown South Main. A much anticipated annual publication, this year's calendar is expected to please both fans of Elvis and Memphis history buffs alike, featuring richly detailed photos of Don Newman's Memphis paired with artifacts from the rock legend's life.

The 2005 calendar is sponsored in its entirety by Elvis Presley Enterprises. This unique 18th month wall edition presents vintage Don Newman photographs as they relate to Elvis Presley's life and times. Supplemented by anecdotes, images of artifacts and documents from the Graceland Archive, the calendar offers a glimpse of Elvis’ Memphis, the footsteps of the King of Rock and Roll as he walked the streets so eloquently photographed by Don Newman.  

Read more...

 

Memphis Heritage to Partner with Graceland for 18 Month Calendar

Copyright (c) 2004 Memphis Heritage, Inc. / Mrs. Don Newman. All Rights Reserved

 By Carol Drake

Memphis Heritage is proud to announce that this year’s calendar is sponsored in its entirety by Elvis Presley Enterprises. This unique 18th month edition will focus on vintage Don Newman photographs as they relate to Elvis Presley. Supplemented by anecdotes, images of artifacts and documents from the Graceland Archive, the calendar offers a glimpse of Elvis’ Memphis, the footsteps of the King of Rock and Roll as he walked the streets so eloquently photographed by Don Newman.

Read more...

Mark your Calendar: This year’s calendar release celebration will occur on Friday, November 26th from 7:00 – 9:00 at the MHI headquarters located at 509 S. Main Street (Trolley Night!).  Angie Marchese, manager of the Graceland Archives Department, will be available during the unveiling. Photographs used in the calendar and a few significant Elvis Presley documents will be exhibited at MHI through December. Following this same theme, in March 2005 Graceland will unveil an extraordinary yearlong exhibit using several mural-size Don Newman photographs in conjunction with actual artifacts and archives from the vaults of their repository.

Make Memphis Heritage Your Holiday Gift Giving Place!

As 2004 comes to a close, please remember that your financial donations to Memphis Heritage are tax deductible. If you are looking to make a year-end gift, please call or email MHI and we will provide you with necessary receipts for your taxes. Also, if you are considering a planned giving program, please consider the important role that Memphis Heritage plays in your community.  


Local Landmarks Commission Awards Long Time MHI Historic Properties Survey Contract to Nashville Firm

Since 1986, over 19,000 properties were surveyed by MHI enabling many Historic Neighborhood Areas to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the last eighteen years, Memphis Heritage has been awarded the contract from the TN Historical Commission matched by the local office of Housing and Community Development for the Historic Property Survey Program. The 2004- 2005 contract has just been awarded by the Memphis Landmarks Commission to a firm from Nashville, TN.

The loss of this contract has caused changes in the daily operations of MHI but has given us the catalyst to make adjustments that will assist us in focusing on our primary mission of educating the community about the importance of Preservation. MHI is and will continue to be the heart of the Preservation movement in the Memphis and Shelby Count area.

Memberships will become all the more important as we move into our 30th year celebration during 2005. Dedicated volunteers have always been the backbone of MHI over the years and they will be essential to the successful future for the next 30 years.

A very important program is being planned for the 2005 to help MHI celebrate its first 30 years…..keep watching and be  a part of your historic community….after all:  It’s about Time!

The Preservation Posse has been busy!

Newsflash!   What you have all been waiting for………   The 2005 MHI Architectural Auction is scheduled for Saturday April 2. So save the date. It will be a grand affair in honor of MHI’s 30th Anniversary. You won’t want to miss this long awaited event. MHI members will once again have the first opportunity to buy tickets so send in your memberships. We will post more information on our web site www.memphisheritage.org in the coming weeks including photos of some of our great auction items. If you have items you would like to donate to the auction please call or email June West at 529-9828 or email jwest@memphisheritage.org  Donations are tax deductible.

And the Winner Is ... Preservation in Memphis!

The 2004 Memphis Heritage Preservation Awards were held at the historic Parkview Hotel on September 23, 2004.  The event was co-hosted by the Landmarks Commission and included the Shelby County Historical Commission.  All of these awards made for a long evening, but on the bright side, the length of the ceremony was a by-product of all of the nominations of projects promoting historic preservation in Memphis and Shelby County!  The ceremony also provided an opportunity for the three organizations to recognize their Board or Commission members and showcase their activities and programs. 

Recipients of the Memphis Heritage Awards were as follows:

Virginia McLean – Preservation Planning Award

For outstanding efforts to foster historic preservation activities through the use of the planning process.

Phil Woodard – Kay B. Newman Award

An individual or group of volunteers in the preservation field who demonstrate professionalism, commitment, integrity and achievement in preservation.

Hampton Inns Landmark Program – A.W. Willis, Jr. Award

For leadership in service of a project that benefits the citizens of the community through the enhancement of historic amenities.

Darrel McGee – Anona Stoner Award (Honorable Mention)

Honors individuals or projects in preserving or enhancement of the natural environment within an urban context.

773 University Street (Berg Residence) – President’s Award

Honors the best new residential structure in a Memphis historic district.

343 N. Main Street (Evans Taylor Foster Childress Architects) – Paul Gruenberg Award

National Civil Rights Museum Expansion – Honorable Mention

Recognizes the adaptive re-use of a historic building, the new use being a major change from the previous use of the building.

MHI Exectuve Director June West and Kay B. Newman award winner Phil Woodard at the 2004 Preservation Awards. Photo courtesy of Carol Drake

Congratulations to all of our award winners.  We hope to have even more nominees for next year, so keep your eyes and ears open for those people and projects that promote historic preservation.  Who knows—it might be you!

 

  See the full PowerPoint presentation...

 

 

 

2004 Memphis Preservation Awards Ceremony - September 23

The 2004 Memphis Preservation Awards will be presented Thursday, September 23, at 6pm at the historic Parkview (formerly the Parkview Hotel), 1914 Poplar Avenue at Overton Park.  This annual event co-sponsored by Memphis Heritage and the Memphis Landmarks Commission honors noteworthy preservation projects ranging from adaptive re-use of historic properties, to new construction in historic neighborhoods, to  volunteers that support local preservation efforts.  The event is free and open to the public.  For details on the awards and the nominees click here.  For further information, contact Memphis Heritage at 901.529.9828.
Scavenger Hunt!

Another of the many Architecture Month events, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will hold their annual Architectural Scavenger Hunt, Saturday, September 25 with proceeds to benefit Memphis Heritage.  Teams of individuals are given a cluebook and three hours to scour the Memphis architectural landscape to find as many clues as possible.  At 6pm, the teams reconvene for the judging at the "Party After the Hunt" at the AIA offices where the teams can enjoy food, drinks, prizes and fun.  Entry deadline is September 15th.  Read all about it by clicking here.  See you at the HUNT!


Celebrate Architecture!

September is celebrated across the country as "Architecture Month".  Understanding how we respond to our built environment and what elicits these responses coupled with an understanding of our past and commitment to preservation makes our city stronger in the years to come.  The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Memphis and Memphis Heritage have partnered to celebrate architecture in a historical, professional, educational, and design-centered context and have established a variety of events to engage the public in the exploration of architecture.  The schedule of activities and events begins August 26;  Memphis Heritage will host an opening reception Friday, August 27, 6:30pm, at MHI, 509 S. Main.  To learn all the exciting opportunities to participate in this month-long celebration, download our brochure and click here to visit the AIA Memphis site.  You won't want to miss it!
Architecture and Our Youth - A Design Competition

As part of Archtecture Month 2004, AIA Memphis and Memphis Heritage, Inc. are proud to announce the Architecture and Our Youth: 2004 Design Competition for 4th - 12th grade level youth in Shelby County. Participants are asked to explore the buildings and spaces around them through an art medium of their choice. Winners in each division will have their artwork on exhibit along with their written responses to their subject matter, throughout Architecture Month in September.   The exhibit will be held at the Memphis Heritage gallery, August 27 through September 23, with the opening coinciding with the opening reception being held for Architecture Month, August 27, 6:30pm at MHI, 509 S. Main Street.  All entries are due by 4pm August 20; please click here for the full details and entry form.
Historic Central Gardens Home Tour


Mark your calendar to experience the 28th Annual Central Gardens Home and Garden Tour on Sunday, September 12th from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Purchase advance tickets for the Central Gardens tour for $10 at Babcock Gifts, The Cupboard, The Deliberate Literate, Otherlands Coffee Bar, 1910 Frame Works, Las Savell, Le Marche, Market Central, Miss Cordelia’s Grocery, Palladio, R.S.V.P. Stationers and Wiles-Smith Drug Store.  Or, purchase tickets at any home on tour day for $12.  Find more information on at www.centralgardens.org

 
Landmarks Commission lists endangered city treasures

The Memphis Landmarks Commission reviews plans for new construction, additions and alterations in historic districts designated by City Council to ensure compatibility with the existing historic houses and to prevent unnecessary demolitions.  They also keep an eye on historically significant properties that may be endangered.  The following is not an all-encompassing list of endangered properties, but a few places of high importance whose fate is uncertain.  Sadly, many more of our city’s treasures face threats every day through demolition, abusive alterations, or neglect.  Read further...
Announcing the 2005 MHI Annual Historic Calendar:
Now Accepting Sponsorships!

Memphis Heritage is now accepting sponsorships for our annual calendar.  Each year the calendar offers the opportunity for local businesses, organizations, and individuals to show their interest in preservation and restoration through sponsorship in the calendar. Major sponsorship as well as individual sponsorships are available.  The 2005 Calendar will feature photographs from the historic Don Newman Collection available only through Memphis Heritage.  For details, click here...
Gallery Opening: Gary Kessel - June 25 through August 23

Memphis Heritage announces the opening reception of a photographic journey celebrating architecture, both local and far away. The exhibition will be presented at the offices of Memphis Heritage, 509 South Main Street starting Friday June 25 continuing through August 23. The opening will take place during the monthly South Main Last Friday Trolley Art Tour from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.  Mr. Kessel  will be on hand to discuss his works and answer questions.   For additional details.....
2004 Preservation Awards - MHI Accepting Nominations

Memphis Heritage is pleased to accept nominations for the 2004 Memphis Preservation Awards. Since 1976, Memphis Heritage has honored noteworthy preservation projects in Memphis and Shelby County. This year’s Awards ceremony will be held September 23, 2004, location to be announced.  The deadline for nominations is July 23, 2004.  For all the information on the awards and for a nomination form click here. 

Regional Preservation Conference - May 22

The Nine Counties Preservation Alliance, made up of individuals and organizations representing all nine counties in the east Tennessee region, announce the schedule for a Regional Preservation Congress.  The conference will be held on May 22nd and will provide innovative ideas and inspiration for people and organizations working to save East Tennessee's historic places. The Congress is the first of its kind in the region and Maryville College will host this day-long event that will provide workshops, a luncheon and tours for participants. Registration packets are now available and can be obtained by calling (865) 523-8008 or sending an e-mail to info@knoxheritage.org.  The registration fee is $20 and includes the cost of all workshops and the luncheon.  For complete details, click here...

Gallery Opening:  Fred Asbury - April 30 - May 31

Memphis Heritage announces the opening reception of a digital photographic essay entitled “Messages”. The exhibition will be presented at the offices of Memphis Heritage, 509 South Main Street starting Friday April 30 and continue to be on display during the month of May. The opening will take place during the monthly South Main Last Friday Trolley Art Tour from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.  Mr. Asbury will be on hand to discuss his works and answer questions about this creative installation that took over a year to compile.   For additional details.....
Wolf River Harbor Clean-Up

Help make our historic harbor cleaner.  Join members of the Chickasaw Group of the Sierra Club and the Sierra Club Water Sentinels program as we pick up trash and litter along the banks of the Wolf River Harbor Saturday, April 17, 2004, 10:00AM-12:00 Noon.  Trash bags and gloves will be provided.  Participants are advised to wear sturdy shoes that they do not mind getting muddy and clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.  Participants will be eligible for a drawing to win door prizes from Out Doors, Inc.  After the event, please join us at Café Francisco at 400 North Main Street, at North Parkway for snacks and drinks.  Click here for a map of the meeting place location (Base map courtesy of Mapquest.com).  Contact James H. Baker, Project Director, Tennessee Water Sentinels, 901-372-6717 for more details.
Local Preservation Update

Read here about local zoning issues involving Idelwild, Shadowlawn, The Village Historic Districts.  Also, our current zoning regulations are in the process of being revised.  If you have suggestions, such as on land use allowed by right to churches, rooming & boarding houses, PUDs being located within our historic neighborhoods with incongruent setbacks, density & orientation, or other issues that have come up etc., now would be the time to make your voice heard.   You should contact:
Memphis Heritage Annual Meeting Revisits 19th Century
You will not want to miss an opportunity revisit an important part of Memphis’ past at the 2004 Memphis Heritage, Inc. Annual Meeting at the historic Nineteenth Century Club headquarters on Tuesday, March 30.  Located at 1433 Union Avenue, the Rowland J. Darnell house, as it was formerly known, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.  The 1907 house is a rare surviving example of Colonial Revival architecture in Memphis and incorporates many of the features popular in the larger residences at the turn of the century.  The Nineteenth Century Club acquired the house for its headquarters in 1926.
   
The annual meeting begins with a “meet and greet” at 6pm.  The business meeting begins officially at 6:30pm and includes Board member and officer nominations and elections.  All Memphis Heritage members are encouraged to attend.  Nominations for officers who will serve a one-year term are....
Victorian Village Update - Historic Victorian Village Envisions Its Future

If the stakeholders in a community get together and imagine their ideal neighborhood ten, fifteen, even 25 years into the future, can their collective vision then become an action plan to make that future a reality?

The owners, residents, and businesses in the Victorian Village area just east of downtown Memphis would like to find out. With the guidance of the city planning specialists and consultants, they met at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral on Poplar Avenue to participate in meetings and focus groups, spaced over two weeks in January.

The Office of Planning and Development chose Victorian Village for this process because it is part of the much larger Medical District, soon to be the subject of comprehensive planning and re-zoning consideration.

The original impetus came from the Victorian Village Velocity Group, a small neighborhood association. Owner-resident Scott Blake, attorney Richard Fields, preservationist Eldridge Wright, and several other residence and business owners started the group.   More...
Architecture Lecture - Recycling Architecture:  Dreams and Inventions

---------------  CANCELLED -----------------------
Architect David Chisholm will present a lecture entitled "Recycling Architecture:  Dreams and Inventions" on Sunday, April 18, 2004, at 2 p.m.  in the Dorothy K. Hohenberg Auditorium at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.  The lecture will deal with the adaptive re-use of industrial architecture and obsolete buildings and how these structures can be brought back to life through the introduction of new programmatic uses.  The American-born Chisholm, who has lived and worked in the Czech Republic since 1993, is a founding partner in the Prague-based firm CMC Architects.  His presentation will focus on six project located in the Czech capital illustrating how architecture has been used to revitalize moribund structures.  The lecture will also include Chisholm's current work on the Court Square Center project, an adaptive re-use of the former Rhodes-Jennings Building and the Lincoln American Life Tower located in downtown Memphis.   More...


Artist Opening: Terry DeWitt - February 27

Art Opening: "South Main and Other Stuff".  Watercolors by Terry E. DeWitt, AIA.  A local architect, Terry's works have been featured in several volumes of Architecture in Perspective published by the American Society of Architectural Illustrators.  Opening will coincide with the Last Friday South Main Trolley Tour and Open House on Friday, February 27, 6pm to 9pm.  Join us at the Memphis Heritage office for this incredible show -- you don't want to miss this one!  Ends April 26.


Public Meeting to be Held - Victorian Village Future

On January 22nd and 29th, 2004, the Center City Commission and the Memphis BioTech Foundation invite you to attend a Design Workshop with Looney Ricks Kiss, Architects regarding future plans for the Victorian Village neighborhood. The Office of Planning and Development is actively engaging the community to solicit input to the Comprehensive Planning and rezoning process for the Medical District, including Victorian Village.  Your participation is needed to help draft recommendations that will ultimately plug into OPD’s planning process. All sessions will be held in the Parish Room of Saint Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral located at 692 Poplar Avenue. 
Read the complete text of the  invitation.....
2004 Preservation Course Looks at Four Squares and Bungalows -
SOLD OUT!!
They are perhaps the most easily recognized and most common early 20th century house types -- they are the great American Four Square and the prodigious bungalow.  The origins, development, evolution and ongoing fascination with the Four Square and bungalow will be the subject of the annual preservation course offered by Memphis Heritage every Monday night in March from 7 - 8:30 at the Junior League of Memphis.  The series is sold out BUT we plan to make it available again in the near future.  Register now to be put on the waiting list. Course details....
Important Preservation Law Needs Your Help!
Section 4f" doesn't sound important -- but it is the strongest federal preservation law on the books, and its loss would be a devastating blow to efforts to protect America's heritage.  -- National Trust for Historic Preservation website
 
Our partners at the National Trust of Historic Preservation, Preservation Action, and the Tennessee Preservation Trust are currently involved in the crucial national effort to save Section 4 (f) of the Department of Transportation Act. Since 1966, this provision has saved many of our nation's historic and scenic areas from being carelessly destroyed or adversely impacted by road construction. But now it is threatened-- all in the name of "streamlining" environmental review processes.  We need you to help too!  Get the details....
Tennessee Preservation Trust Legislative Report

 Compiled by Tennessee Preservation Trust's Legislative Monitor, Stewart Clifton, this digest of  the large number of bills and budget items which impact historic preservation is required reading for preservationists.  Supported by TPT's Policy Partners, Cornerstones, Inc. of Chattanooga, Knox Heritage, Knoxville, and Memphis Heritage, TPT unites preservation organizations across the great State of Tennessee in our efforts to preserve, restore, and protect our rich heritage.

Full text of the report follows...
Preservation Has a Role in the Life of a City

Paul Goldberger, architectural critic for The New Yorker, acknowledges that "preservation" has come into its own in his insightful column in the current issue of Preservation magazine. The brief article points out the surprising consequence of "modernism" in architecture and warns against the false notion that saving facades while gutting historic structures is commendable.  His piece is a provocative reminder of the role of preservation in the life of cities and important to consider in the light of events in our own city.  Check it out at:  http://www.nationaltrust.org/magazine/archives/arc_mag/jf04.htm
Make Plans for the Statewide Preservation Conference

Interested in learning about ways to protect our state's special historic places? The Tennessee Preservation Trust's Annual Preservation Conference is a great place to start. This year's edition takes place in Nashville on April 15-17, 2004. Historic Union Station, a crown jewel of downtown since its completion in 1900, will serve as conference headquarters. The theme is “Preserving Local Character: Neighborhoods, Town, and Country” and sessions will concentrate on maintaining a sense of community in the age of sprawl.   Read on....
2004 Appointment Calendar Unveiled and FOR SALE
NOW AT 1/2 PRICE!
Memphis Heritage is proud to unveil the 2004 Appointment Calendar now available to the public.  The 75th anniversary of the Orpheum Theatre, one of Memphis' most beloved cultural landmarks, is celebrated within the new 2004 Calendar along with dozens of other historic and contemporary images which illustrate the architectural beauty, diversity and creativity of Memphis.  Read more and order....



Memphis Heritage Wins!!

Hurrah for us, MHI was the official winner of this year’s Holiday Lights Around Downtown Contest! Thirty-seven businesses competed in the holiday lighting decororations competition sponsored by the Center City Commission.  While upper windows of our South Main building twinkled with fairy lights and holly wreaths, our storefront showcased minature houses representing three of our many historic architectural styles all dressed up for the holidays. The public was asked to vote and Memphis Heritage was "the hand’s down champ"!  We will receive a check for $1000 as our prize! All the businesses that participated this year put on a great show and we feel honored and excited to have been selected!   For a closer look....

Whales and Wineracks - Auction Benefit October 18

Unfortunately the revival of The Great Whale Watch on Thursday, October 9, 2003, was more fitting for whales than for people, as it rained steadily during the party! The hearty souls who did attend enjoyed fabulous food provided by Chef Stan Gibson of the University Club and the mellow tones of the Lannie McMillan Trio.

Door prizes were awarded during the evening, and Collins Mikell of the new Crye-Leike Downtown office won the grand prize, a custom designed and fabricated wine cabinet  from the artists at Metal Concepts.  Collins in turn has graciously donated the wine cabinet to be auctioned for the benefit of the National Ornamental Metal Museum, AIA Memphis and Memphis Heritage, Inc. The auction will be during the Museum’s annual Repair Days on Saturday evening, October 18, 7:30 p.m.  For more details....
Orpheum Steps up as Lead Sponsor for 2004 Calendar
Memphis Heritage is proud to announce that the Orpheum Theatre will be the lead sponsor for the 2004 Memphis Heritage Calendar which will make its debut at a gala reception on November 12 at the historic theatre.  “The Orpheum is a major architectural and cultural landmark in downtown Memphis and a historic centerpiece of the arts scene in the Mid-South,” said June West, executive director of Memphis Heritage. “We are absolutely thrilled to have the Orpheum as our overall calendar sponsor, and we look forward to partnering with them and our other sponsors in producing an outstanding calendar for 2004.”  Read more....
2004 Architectural Auction Preparation Begins

Memphis Heritage has launched a drive to collect items for the Memphis Heritage Architectural Auction and in doing so is creating a new group of auction volunteers.  These volunteers will help collect architectural salvage and other donated items for the auction and take the items to the MH storage facility.  Ideally, its members should have strong backs and trucks or other vehicles capable of transporting large found or donated items. Collecting architectural salvage and donated items is a prerequisite for having the auction, and MH must have a dozen or more individuals that are willing to help with this.  Read more....    
Membership Drive Contest Has Incentive

The Memphis Heritage Development Committee announced a new member recruitment contest on Friday, June 27 at the MH grand opening.  The contest will run until December 31, 2003, and at the end of the contest, the MH member who has recruited and registered the most new members will win a 20" x 24" framed photograph from the Don Newman Collection. The winner will be announced on Friday, January 30, 2004, at the Memphis Heritage office during the South Main “Last Friday” trolley open house and can select an image from the Newman collection as the prize.  Details....

2003 Preservation Award Winners Announced!

At the 27th annual Preservation Awards ceremony held Thursday, September 18, at the new Downtown Elementary School, the first new school to be located in Downtown Memphis in over a century, Memphis Heritage Inc. and the Memphis Landmarks Commission saluted the exemplary preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation efforts of the saviours of Memphis' historic homes, commercial buildings, and historic sites.   Get the details....

Don Newman Photographic Collection Unveiled and Available FOR SALE

Memphis Heritage celebrated its “official” grand opening with a special reception at our new location, 509 S. Main Street, on Friday, June 27, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The highlight of the gala evening was the introduction of the Don Newman collection of historic photographs of Memphis and Shelby County.   Read more....

Purchase your own copies of these fabulous photographs; for details, visit our on-line STORE   


All hands on Deck:  Volunteers Needed!

Volunteer docents, “librarians,” and tour guides are needed to help staff the new MH office at 509 S. Main Street.  The office is in the heart of the South Main Street Historic district, and the storefront has been arranged as a retail/public reading area with comfortable seating and a wide selection of preservation-related materials available for use by the public.  At least a dozen full- and part-time volunteers are needed to meet the public, make retail sales, organize and expand the resource library, and answer questions about Memphis Heritage and local architectural sites.  Read more....
Last Friday Trolley Tours - MHI Open House

Memphis Heritage hosts an event during each South Main Street’s Last Friday Trolley Art  Night.

On the last Friday of each month South Main Street comes alive with art, entertainment, shopping, and much more.  The event held every last Friday starts at 6pm and lasts until 9pm. The trolleys are free during this time so you can ride up and down South Main and explore over 15 galleries, retail stores, and restaurants.  One of the reasons for Memphis Heritage's move to the new location in the Historic South Main District was to be able to participate in these great monthly events.  Read more....
Memphis Heritage Moves to New Location
  
In mid-April Memphis Heritage began the exciting process of moving to a home within the South Main Street arts district. It was a move that has been on the drawing board for executive director June West virtually ever since she began working at Memphis Heritage in January 2003, and one that has had the full and enthusiastic support of the MH board of directors.  Read more....




Memphis Hosts State Preservation Conference
by Sarah Hadskey, AIA

Get out your calendar and write this down: Thursday, March 27 through Saturday, March 29, the Tennessee Preservation Trust Fourth Annual Statewide Preservation Conference. Subtitled People, Places, and Things, the conference is an event that Memphis Heritage members and preservationists throughout the state and Mid-South region will definitely want to attend.  The opportunity to gather new knowledge in four separate conference tracts and to visit two of Memphis’s outstanding historic homes will make this one of the most exciting preservation gatherings in Memphis in years.  Read more....


  Annual Meeting Held at the Power House

The 2003 Memphis Heritage Annual Membership meeting will be held on March 25, at 6 p.m. at the Power House, lo­cated on C. E. Patterson Avenue, just west of Central Station in the South Main Street Historic District.  Read more....






  New Director Brings Collaborative Vision to MHI

For more than 10 years June West has made a successful career developing programs to improve the lives of older people. Now she’s preparing to do the same for the old buildings and historic places in Memphis and Shelby County.
Read more....