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Magevney and Mallory-Neely Historic House Museums closed

Editorial by Linda Raiteri

Is it the luck of the Irish or plain old irony that while the city celebrates Memphis in May by honoring the history, art, and culture of Ireland, the circa 1836 Magevney House Museum, entrusted to the city by the descendants of Irish immigrant Eugene Magevney, is closed indefinitely?

Click here to read the full story...

“And they thought it couldn't be done.”

Recently this Historic Four Square was moved 4 blocks east of its original location at the NW corner of Peabody Ave. and Angelus to the NW corner of Peabody Ave. and Rembert. The move is part of a project by Ben Duke, a local developer. Grace St. Lukeâs Episcopal Church now owns the property where the house originally stood.

Photo by Jennifer Tucker, MLC

Tennessee Preservation Trust Releases 'Ten in Tennessee'

Historic Treasures Across the State Threatened by Lack of Funding, Neglect

The Tennessee Preservation Trust has released the annual “Ten in Tennessee” list of the state’s most endangered historic treasures. The list was announced during a news conference held in the old Supreme Court Chamber of the state Capitol on Wednesday, May 25. “As in past years, the list recognizes a wide variety of the special historic places that help make Tennessee unique,” said Executive Director Patrick McIntyre. “Each of us can play a role in helping protect these sites and pass them along to future generations.”

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Magevney and Mallory-Neely Historic House Museums closed

Editorial by Linda Raiteri

Click here to read the full story...

Elmwood Cemetery Presents a Costumed Walking Tour

Their stories are ready to be told. Will you listen?

On Tuesday, June 21st, from 5–8 p.m., Elmwood Cemetery will open its gates to the public for a Costumed Walking Tour.

Click here for details...

A Visionary Speaks

Mayor Riley of Charleston to Address Luncheon September 21

Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. of Charleston, South Carolina, widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America, will speak in Memphis on September 21. Memphis Heritage is pleased to cosponsor this significant urban land use presentation with the American Institute of Architects and Friends For Our Riverfront. The noon luncheon will be held at Bridges, Inc. as part of Architecture Month. Mayor Riley will address his ambitious urban design plan which gave the citizens of Charleston permanent public access to their waterfront through the creation of the magnificent Waterfront Park and stimulated the revitalization of the historic business district.

Click here for more details...

"And they thought it couldn't be done."

Recently this Historic Four Square was moved 4 blocks east of its original location at the NW corner of Peabody Ave. and Angelus to the NW corner of Peabody Ave. and Rembert. The move is part of a project by Ben Duke, a local developer. Grace St. Luke’s Episcopal Church now owns the property where the house originally stood.

Photo by Carol Drake

WKNO Presents a One-of-a-Kind Appraisal Event

Ever wonder if your old whatnots are worth anything? Find out when wkno/Public Broadcasting presents “Treasures In Your Attic: An Appraisal Event” on Saturday, June 25 from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at the Desoto Civic Center.

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Application for demolition of historic homes withdrawn

An Open Letter

In recent weeks, most all of you have spoken to my wife or myself regarding the Planned Development application filed on March 2 with the Office of Planning and Development (OPD) by Mr Homer Branan on behalf of the developer, Mr. Jerry Alexander. This application proposed the demolition of the existing historic homes at 527 and 573 East Parkway South and the implementation of a 16 home in-fill development in their place. The application was to have been considered at the May 12 meeting of the Land Use Control Board and by City Council sometime in June or July.

Click here to continue...

Photo by Mike Cromer

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Architectural Auction a Rousing Success

By Jean Beard

Thanks to the generosity of many donors and the crowd of close to 300 MHI members and the public, the MHI Architectural Auction was a rousing success, raising over $26,000 for MHI. Many thanks also to Jimmy Rout III for chairing the event and to David Early and the newly appointed “Preservation Posse” for their hours of dedicated volunteer service in getting the items and warehouse ready for the big event.

Phil Woodard of Woodard Properties’ United Warehouse on 138 St. Paul Street was the site for the event. Participants enjoyed hors d’oeuvres catered by Just Catering and the sounds of the Rene Koopman Jazz Trio as they placed bids on over 300 silent auction items.

John Roebuck & Associates kept the crowd’s rapt attention as they bid on many unique auction items including the Holiday Inn sign from an early Holiday Inn, a Goldsmith’s sign, and the bar and signs from No. 1 Beale. Thanks to the great planning of Larry and Judy Moss’s team, participants were able to quickly register and check out with their treasures that evening.

Click here to read more...

League of Women Voters invites RDC, FfOR to address land bridge concerns

“Talk to us about the land bridge.”

That’s what the League of Women Voters asked Benny Lendermon, president of Riverfront Development Corporation, and Virginia McLean, president of Friends for Our Riverfront to do. Each was given 20 minutes to speak at a public meeting on February 28 at the Central Library on Poplar.

Benny Lendermon spent much of his time talking about everything but the land bridge: what RDC has done for the parks, plans for the Cobblestones, the Beale Street Landing, the “underutilized” Promenade, and more.

Finally, about 17 minutes into his presentation, he said:

“The transformational part of the plan is the land bridge concept - actually having at the proper time when the City of Memphis outgrows its downtown development opportunity, having the opportunity to grow out and connect to Mud Island itself. So, when you do that, not only do you create additional property for development which is needed but you are also solving those connectivity problems with Mud Island River Park.”

Then he went on for another ten minutes about everything else, until the League moderator asked him to wrap it up.

Click here to read more...

Preservation Series 2005 Review

by Marie Zwolinski

Great Neighborhoods I: Uptown, Downtown and Midtown, the Memphis Heritage 2005 Preservation Series class, concluded on March 28. For the second year in a row, the class was a sellout. It was nice to see so many new faces with our regulars this time.

In Uptown, the first session, John Griffin delighted us with old pictures and maps of Greenlaw, the first developed neighborhood in Memphis, and shared his own trials and tribulations in renovating properties there. Many “awwws” were heard between the laughter as we viewed photos of once beautiful buildings in disrepair or gone forever. But, John’s presentation was one of positive energy and hope—that with persistence, creativity, risk, and a bit of luck, buildings can be saved.

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2005 Annual Meeting: Director's Report

(The following are comments taken from June’s presentation at the March 8, 2005 Annual MHI membership Meeting.)

Thank you all for coming to the MHI 2005 Annual Meeting. It means a lot to me personally as well as the director of MHI. Memphis Heritage is a wonderful agency and as you may know this is our thirtieth year.

There were many people that came before me. Several of them are here tonight: Jack Tucker, Jane Kowaleski… Judith Johnson could not be here with us tonight. But there have been many directors before me and I feel honored to be part of this organization. I was a member of MHI for many years before I became active as the director. And I’m thrilled to be here and I thank you all for your support.

It has been a transitional year; it will be a transitional year for Memphis Heritage. As was mentioned earlier, MHI had been doing a historic neighborhood survey for over 18 years and this year that grant was awarded to a company from Nashville. The loss of the survey grant, about $70,000 of our annual cash flow, caused the lay off MH staff. The survey staff helped do ancillary things in the office. We unfortunately do not have the staff members we have had in the past. We do have one wonderful person who works for us ten hours a week named Aaron Frye, who could not be with us this evening. But if you have called the office recently you have probably spoken to him. He is terrific and we’re very grateful to have him.

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Memphis Heritage Announces Election of New Board Members

March 8, 2005 -- At the annual meeting of Memphis Heritage, Inc. held at the Historic Nineteenth Century Club on Union Ave., the membership approved the new nominees to the board of Directors for the non-profit preservation organization. New members were elected to fill recently opened positions on the board.

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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.

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Memphis Heritage, Graceland Present 2005 Calendar

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 18^th 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.

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Memphis Heritage to Partner with Graceland for 18 Month Calendar

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 18^th 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 26^th 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 30^th 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...

Celebrate Architecture - Final Events!

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 partnered to celebrate architecture in a historical, professional, educational, and design-centered context. It's not too late to participate -- several events remain! Click here for the details. You won't want to miss it!

Gallery Opening: Kelly Cox - September 24 through October 26

"Just about anything, even the frankly utilitarian, can be experienced as beautiful and stirring. The photographs in this series are intended as portraits, some of which capture an ineffable Memphis look or feel that evokes for me my own childhood impressions of my hometown. One of the best things about photography is that it is not a verbal exercise. It invokes a wordless level of consciousness perhaps closer to pure being." Kelly Cox

Don't miss the opening reception of this photographic journey featuring Memphis structures. The exhibition is presented at the offices of Memphis Heritage, 509 South Main Street starting Friday September 24 and continuing through October 26. The opening will take place during the monthly South Main Last Friday Trolley Art Tour from 6:00 to 9:00 PM

Tennessee Preservation Trust Calls for Nominations

The Tennessee Preservation Trust (TPT) is looking for nominations for the annual State Preservation Awards. TPT is a membership-supported statewide non-profit historic preservation advocacy organization based in Nashville, and represents thousands of heritage supporters though its individual and organizational affiliates. This is the second year of its awards program. "The State Preservation Awards offer an outstanding way to recognize an individual, organization, or project that has made an important contribution to revitalizing our state's historic places," says executive director Patrick McIntyre. Categories for recognition include Legislative/Public Awards for public officials; Preservation Achievement Awards for organizations or individuals; and Restoration Awards. This year's award ceremony will be held at the historic Read House Hotel in downtown Chattanooga on the evening of November 4th. The special guest for the awards will be Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC. Award nominations should be postmarked by October 1st and may be downloaded directly from TPT's website at www.tennesseepreservationtrust.org. Interested persons can also call (615) 259-2289 to request a copy of the application.

Save our Riverfront!

For almost 200 years, the Memphis riverfront has belonged to you and me — but that might not be true next year. On May 18, in spite of overwhelming opposition, the City Council approved the RDC's master plan which calls for turning this land over to private developers. Friends for Our Riverfront (FfOR) is fighting to ensure that the Public Promenade and riverfront are accessible to and available for the enjoyment of all the people of Memphis for all time. We urge the citizens of Memphis to speak out on this issue and protect our riverfront from ill-advised changes that would drastically alter our City.

Come learn about the issues at a public meeting October 6, 6:30pm, Memphis Main Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue. Join in some fun and see the promenade and harbor up close on November 14, "Paddle the Harbor with FfOR", 1:30pm, Memphis Harbor.

For more information and how you can get involved please visit the FfOR website at www.friendsforourriverfront.org or call 901-496-0736. SEE what's proposed. Learn more and take Action. Read the complete FfOR Position Statement.

Volunteers needed to help in the Historic Glenview District

Memphis Heritage is pleased to support a project launched in August 2004 by the Glenview Community Development Partners, Inc., their first painting and minor home repair program. Small loans will be available to qualifying, eligible homeowners from in the Glenview Neighborhood (low to moderate income). In order to continue the effort to revitalize the historic community, they are also offering free house painting for the homeowners that do not qualify for the loan program. Volunteers that are at least 18 years old and have some painting experience are needed for these projects. For further information or to volunteer, please contact Gloria Vinson at 901-725-5275. Thank you for your support of the Glenview neighborhood.

Historic Raleigh Cemetery needs help!

In 1825, Memphis lost its place as the seat of Shelby County to its northeastern neighbor, Raleigh. The two towns would remain rivals until Memphis’ growth boom of the 1840’s and Raleigh’s eventual incorporation into the city of Memphis during its post-World War II expansion. One historic part of Raleigh is a cemetery on Old Raleigh Lagrange and East Street which dates back to the nineteenth century. The Raleigh cemetery is a part of Memphis heritage which now needs maintenance to be preserved. Read how YOU can HELP!

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...

Memphis Riverfront Promenade Named to "Ten in Tennessee" Endangered

Each year the Tennessee Preservation Trust (TPT) seeks nominations from the public for the "Ten in Tennessee," a roster of the state's most endangered historic sites. This successful program highlights the ten most endangered urban and rural places across the state to help garner public support for saving threatened historic resources. "Listing a site will not give the property any formal protection, but the TPT hopes it will increase awareness about these irreplaceable cornerstones of our heritage and inspire local groups and individuals to act before it is too late. A committee made up of preservationists from across the state meets to choose the list. This year's edition was announced at a press conference during National Preservation Week, on Wednesday May 5, 2004.

Memphis Heritage nominated the property on the west side of Front Street down to Riverside Drive from Auction on the north to Union on the south, known as "The Public Promenade". This property was included in the original 1819 plan for the City of Memphis. It was set aside by the city's founders to be public leisure space to ensure that the people of Memphis retained access to the riverfront and is owned by the citizens with the City holding an easement to the property.

Read more about how the Promenade is threatened.....

Endangered Buildings to Find New Life

Recently in the news are several historical buildings who are slated for restoration and adaptive reuse -- once again contributing to the city's economic prosperity. The old Tennessee Brewery (circa 1890) will be resurrected as "Artbrew", a multi-use arts facility. Uptown Square, which transforms the former Lauderdale Courts public housing project to a viable downtown apartment community. The Lawrence Building (1894) at 60-62 S. Main will be converted to high-end condominiums. The historic Kress Building (1927) at 9 N. Main will find new life as part of the Springhill Suites. Flanking Court Square, the original Lowensteins Department Store (later the Rhodes Jennings), Court Annex and Lincoln American Tower buildings are well on their way to new roles as apartments, offices, and retail space. Read all about these exciting projects....