Letter from the President
Fall 2006
Last spring I shared some of my goals for The Trust with you. They included increased membership, more fundraising activities, increased visibility in the community, and creating a proactive strategy for dealing with some of the pressures brought to bear on our historical environment.
As the year draws to a close, we’ve seen some successes and some challenges. Taken altogether, it’s evident that the Trust is strong, vibrant, and welcomes the support and energy – at whatever capacity – interested parties can contribute.
Successes
- Historic Tours remain one of our most successful endeavors. We added two new walking tours, doubled the number of volunteer docents, and along the way brought in revenue, increased our visibility, and educated people about the importance of our architectural heritage.
- Our annual Preservation Awards event in May had a record turnout.
- On April 9, we had an information booth at Monona Terrace commemorating Madison’s sesquicentennial.
- The City Council designated the Castle & Doyle building, 125 State Street, an official city landmark, approving the Trust's nomination.
- The Membership Committee has a new computer and database that enables better management. We recently topped 300 members!
- The Programs and Tours Committees merged, which allows the new single committee to be more efficient and streamlined.
- Our Web site is updated more frequently, which gives members and other interested parties an up-to-date source for preservation-related information.
Challenges/Opportunities
- Our nomination for local landmark status of the Rennebohm building wasn’t successful, but uncovered a rich history. The building is slated for demolition to make way for the University’s Institute of Discovery.
- The proposed sale of a large number of older properties in the Fourth Lake Ridge Historic District will present opportunities – for preservationists and developers.
- The City of Madison proposes to move two homes that are official city landmarks and that sit on the edge of James Madison Park.
- The Trust sent a letter to the mayor’s office declaring our support for keeping the historic district and historic character of the area intact.
- The sale and proposed conversion into a bar-restaurant of the Woman's Building on Gilman presents room for discussion on retro-fitting a historic property.
- Celebrating and preserving the history of State Street remains a challenge.
- The sale of the Kupfer Iron Works building to the Atwood Community Center presents a great opportunity.
- The development at the intersection of East Washington Avenue and Milwaukee Street, impacting the site of the demolished French Battery Building, offers another opportunity and a lesson.
- Proposed changes in the city’s demolition ordinance is something we are monitoring.
The Mayor's proposed restoration of the old Garver Feed Mill is something to get excited about.
Naturally, our community is changing; it always has, and it always will. The role of preservationists has never been more vital in helping determine what has value in terms of our history, enhancement to our community’s unique charm, aesthetic value, and economic advantage. We do this through all the things I’ve mentioned: education, advocacy, and visibility.
We increase our opportunities for education, advocacy, and visibility primarily through the support and energy of our members. As an all-volunteer organization, your support is our most powerful asset. As a member, you can have a direct impact on your community by contributing your efforts to ours.
Explore our Web site to learn more. Click on Membership on the left side of the page, or call me at 608.441.5435 to learn what you can do to get more involved. There are many opportunities to make a lasting impact – future generations will thank you.
James Westring
President
Madison Trust for Historic Preservation
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