Showing posts with label Texas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas. Show all posts

The 42nd Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour

29.4.16

1893 James S. and Violet H. Waters House – 1116 Church Street/Galveston Historical Foundation
I love touring historical homes and sites of specific interest. Texas has some particularly stunning examples, and this year's Annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour is one that you won't want to miss!

The 2016 Historic Homes Tour provides visitors with a little taste of everything, as well as opening up the East End mansion, the first time it's ever been seen. More information on the special programme is below:

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS

Homes Tour Home Base


Galveston Historical Foundation’s headquarters at the 1940 Sears Building will also serve as the home base for this year’s tour. Enjoy specialty food trucks, restrooms, cold refreshments and a covered area for relaxing during your Homes Tour weekend. While you’re there, be sure to visit GHF’s Architectural Salvage Warehouse for inspiration in your own home! Open daily during Homes Tour from 11 am to 2 pm.

Cocktails on the Coast at Beachtown


Limited to 40 guests, this exclusive Homes Tour event treats you to an evening of great food, drink, music and unmatched view from Beachtown’s Homes Tour showcase home. Held on Friday, May 29th from 5:30 – 8, you will mix and mingle with the property architect, homeowners and other VIPs while supporting GHF’s Revolving Fund projects. $150 per person.

Early Bird Tickets


With nine homes and great special events, it’s easy to find yourself with more to do than you have time for. This year’s Early Bird ticket could be just what you need to make the most of your homes tour experience. These tickets come with a full tour ticket and are limited to 100 per day for $50 each. Tickets are available for both Saturdays of the tour and allow you to enjoy access to three tour homes from 8 – 10 a.m. Get a head start on your homes tour adventure!

Beachtown New Construction Tours


Beachtown prides itself on taking Galveston’s historical architectural heritage into the future. Guests at this year’s Historic homes tour will also be able to tour three homes in different stages of construction. See firsthand the craftsmanship and attention to detail in each of their spectacular homes as Galveston’s rich architectural heritage is continued in this new development.

1905 Charles F. Marschner Building – 1914 Mechanic Street/Galveston Historical Foundation

2016 HOMES ON TOUR

In addition to the eight homes listed below, Galveston Historical Foundation will be presenting select properties as part of its revolving fund program. These rehabilitations in progress show how GHF continues to preserve the islands history through inventive green technologies and stewardship.

COVER HOUSE  JAMES : VIOLET WATERS HOUSE (1893) - 1116 CHURCH STREET

Galveston County Treasurer James Stephen Waters hired architect Henry Collier Cooke of the Nebraska architecture firm Bourgeois Nitchner & Cooke to design this grand Victorian residence in 1893. The most prominent building on the block, the Waters family sold the house in 2012 to new owners who are rehabilitating the property. This house is an Early Bird available house and is featured on the April 30th History on Tap Dinner.

CHARLES AND CATHERINE ALBERTSON HOUSE (c.1870) - 2017 AVENUE N 1/2

Noted as a classic example of post-Civil War construction in Galveston, cotton buyer Charles Albertson built this grand Greek Revival house about 1870 and lived there with his wife Catherine until 1892. Severely damaged by the 1900 hurricane, Ben Blum purchased the property and divided it maintaining his residence in the western portion and moving the eastern section for use as rental property.

LEVY-BOWDEN HOUSE (1883) - 1227 WINNIE

Broker and grocery commission merchant Meyer Levy built this Victorian townhouse in 1883 for himself and his wife, Julia. After the 1900 hurricane damaged the property, Levy sold the house to building contractor Miles Bowden, who repaired the house for his home. The Bowden family maintained ownership of the property until 1969.


HOWARD AND KATE MATHER HOUSE (1887) - 1601 BALL STREET

German immigrant and carpenter Andrew Pfannsteil built this elegant Victorian house in 1887 on lots he had owned and resided on since 1875. The new house, featuring half-timbered bays that resemble a Swiss chalet, replaced the existing house consumed by fire in 1885. The Mathers purchased the new house from Pfannsteil in August 1887 for the sum of $2400. This house is featured on the May 6th History on Tap Dinner.

BENJAMIN BARNES TENANT HOUSE (1888) - 818 CHURCH

Brick contractor Benjamin Barnes constructed this classic Gulf Coast side-gabled house in 1888. Residing at 828 Church, Barnes used this dormered cottage as rental property. In a series of ironic twists of fate, the house is owned today by the descendant of a family who occupied the property more than a century ago.


TENANT HOUSE - 1309 15TH STREET

John Stowe and William Selkirk purchased the vacant corner lot in 1901 after the owner died during the 1900 storm. Between 1904-1912 Stowe and Selkirk, of the Galveston Savings & Loan Company, moved four small houses that had survived the great storm onto the lot. Italian immigrant and grocer Giuseppe Negrini purchased the houses in 1925 for use as tenant houses for African Americans.

CHARLES MARSCHNER BUILDING (1905) - 1914 MECHANIC STREET

In 1905, German immigrant Charles Marschner, and his wife, Marie, hired brick contractor Otto Haas to build this two-story building as their residence and business, the Texas Bottling Works. The building, which features a variety of architectural styles including decorative brick work and stepped parapet wall with ball finials, was restored in 1989 and designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1996. This house is an Early Bird available house.


MCDONALD-BLAKE HOUSE (1913) - 1922 AVENUE P

John C. McDonald, a public cotton-weigher, and his wife Minnie  built this Craftsman-influenced house in 1913. After John’s sudden death in 1914, Minnie used the house as rental property until 1919 when she sold it to real estate agent Thomas Blake and his wife, Anne. The current owners purchased the property from the Blake’s daughter in 2013. In 2015, GHF recognized the rehabilitation of the property with a Sally Wallace Preservation Award. This house is an Early Bird available house.

REHABILITATION IN PROGRESS: “THE FAIRMONT” (1915) - 3624 AVENUE R 1/2

Henry Hildebrand, president of the Anchor Milling Company of Galveston, built this two-story house in 1915 to use as rental property. The original insurance record for the house noted that the entire building was shipped from Michigan “ready to nail together.” The manufacturer of the kit house, called The Fairmont, was the Aladdin House Company. Located in Bay City, Michigan, the company slogan was “Homes Built in a Day.” Founded in 1906 by brothers, Otto and William Sovereign, the business manufactured houses until 1981.

HOMES TOUR SPECIAL EVENTS

Seats are limited at all special events with pricing, times and reservations available at www.galvestonhistory.org.

April 30 and May 6 – History on Tap Dinners

Enjoy a specially created dinner, cooked by an award winning chef, in a Homes Tour home. Tour home owners will lead you on a special tour of the property while you enjoy a one of a kind evening in historic Galveston! $150 per person.

April 30 and May 7 – Antebellum Bicycle Tours

Enjoy a guided tour through historic Galveston as you visit select Antebellum homes and learn the history of the people and community of early Galveston history. The tour will start at the 1838 Menard House. $15 per person.

May 1 – Houston Grand Opera’s “After The Storm” Preview

Free to Homes Tour ticket holders and held at the 1838 Michele Menard House, attendees will enjoy a 15 minute preview of Houston Grand Opera’s new production “After The Storm”. This upcoming play tells the story of Galveston during the 1900 Storm and Hurricane Ike.

May 7 – Rehabilitation In Progress Tour and Lecture

Guests of this tour and lecture will enjoy early access to the 1915 Hildebrand Tenant House beginning at 9 a.m.  Starting at 10 a.m., ticket holders will have the opportunity to learn about this Aladdin built home from author and expert Margaret Culbertson. $20 per person.

May 7 – Mid-Century Modern Tour

Step back into the not so distant past with this special selection of mid-century modern homes on Galveston’s beautiful Harbor View drive. Opened only for this special evening, these homes showcase the unmistakable design of mid-century architecture with some vintage fun, food and drink added into the evening! $50 per person.

May 8 – Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch at the 1880 Garten Verein

Celebrate mom with this re-imagined Mother’s Day tradition. Enjoy a hearty brunch, door prizes, flowers, live music and a few surprises in the beautiful 1880 Garten Verein. $50 per person.

Adventures in Dallas

6.11.15


If you've been following my Instagram feed, you'll know that for the past week I've been in Dallas! This was my first trip to Texas, and I was excited to visit a city that I've heard lots about!


I stayed at the Hilton Anatole. The hotel is HUGE and it took 10 minutes to walk from my room to breakfast each day. Great for working up an appetite and walking it off! The hotel also has a tonne of art, and many priceless pieces amongst its collection. The quirkiest of them all has to be a piece of the Berlin Wall!

I was in town for some St John business functions, but made time to visit two of the most interesting spots on the tourism list.

The first was the George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Regardless of your political persuasion, the Library and Museum is a must see attraction. The highlight for me was the to scale replica of the Oval Office, and the fact that you could sit behind the Resolute Desk and have your photo taken. Total tourist!



I also visited the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Forever associated with the death of President Kennedy, the Museum provides a fascinating insight into the President's visit to Dallas, and the events and aftermath of that tragic day. If like me, you've watched the documentaries and movies about the assassination, visiting Dealey Plaza is instantly familiar. It's almost like walking onto a film set- with the Grassy Knoll, Book Depository and white picket fence all untouched. It was an eerie experience.




During the weekend, I also visited the Number One British Flying School. Located outside Dallas, many British servicemen and women came to the area to train to fly during WW2. Some never returned, and the extensive museum and memorial is dedicated to their memories. Manned by volunteers, it's a hidden gem and one which was fascinating to visit.


The Texan hospitality was wonderful, and it was great to catch up with many friends and new faces during my time in the Big D!

I'm heading to Dallas!

28.9.15

via
Hey y'all! I'm excited to share that I'm heading to Dallas for a week in October/November! I've never been to the city before, and it's been on my wish list for some time. Whilst I'll be attending some functions in the city, I'll have some free time to fill.

Where should I visit? What should I not miss? Any great places to eat, drink and shop? Share your suggestions with me and I'll share them with Political Style's readers before I leave for Texas! Can't wait to hear your suggestions! 

Pottery Barn's City and State Shop

15.10.14


Whenever I travel I love to take home something that will remind me of where I've been. Pottery Barn's new City and State collection has cute trinkets from London, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Texas- there's something for everyone!

These are my favourites:






Laura and George W. Bush's Texas Retreat

18.7.14

AD
I love to look at the homes of politicians, and the current issue of Architectural Digest has a great feature piece on the Texas retreat of former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura.

The 1,600 acre Crawford retreat was once referred to as the 'Western White House,' and its sustainable design was masterminded by architect David Heymann. The theme of indoor-outdoor living is heavily featured, and I love everything about it.

Click here for more photos and the full interview. 

JFK Library Plans Tributes Marking 50th Anniversary of November 22, 1963

20.11.13

--> John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, the official memorial to President John F. Kennedy, will observe the 50th anniversary of November 22, 1963 with a number of events that celebrate the legacy of the nation’s 35th President. Observances will include a ceremony webcasted by satellite from the Kennedy Library’s IM Pei-designed glass pavilion; the presentation of a selection of artifacts from the President’s State Funeral that have never before been displayed; an interactive documentary and website celebrating the vibrant presence of JFK in the world today; and an award ceremony on November 25 during which Jack Schlossberg, President Kennedy’s grandson, will celebrate two young Americans who answered President Kennedy’s call for pioneers of the New Frontier.

“The Kennedy Library seeks to honor the memory of John F. Kennedy every day by serving as a dynamic center for discourse, storytelling, and debate that inspires younger generations to engage fully as citizens of this world,” said Tom Putnam, Director of the Kennedy Library. “Fifty years after his death, we pause to look back at symbolic artifacts from this defining moment in our nation’s history and, looking forward, we hope to draw inspiration from the arts that he championed and from JFK’s timeless words.  By offering our observance and programming to a worldwide audience online, we  pay tribute to our fallen president and to the millions who came together to mourn him.”

“Three years ago, we launched our campaign to mark the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s Presidency,” said Tom McNaught, Executive Director of the Kennedy Library Foundation. “Using new technology and media to reach every corner of the globe, we have sought to inspire today’s youth as President Kennedy did half a century ago. We are grateful for the support of so many, whose generosity has been critical to helping us pass the torch to a new generation and to instill in them the ideals of public service and responsible citizenship.”

--> John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
A Nation Remembers: A Tribute to President John F. Kennedy
November 22, 2013
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. ET

On November 22, 2013, the Kennedy Library will invite the public to join a special live webcast of a musical tribute in honor of the memory of President Kennedy. Award-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor; award-winning saxophonist Paul Winter and the Paul Winter Sextext, which was invited by Jacqueline Kennedy to be the first  jazz ensemble ever to play at the White House; and the United States Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club will each perform musical selections including two from the President’s State Funeral. They will be joined by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick; Elaine Jones, director-counsel emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, and former Peace Corps volunteer to Turkey;  US Naval Commander, Navy SEAL, and NASA Astronaut Chris Cassidy, who just returned from six months on the International Space Station; Richard Blanco, poet for the 2013 U.S. presidential inauguration;; and Sarah Groustra, an 8th grade student from the Edward Devotion School in Brookline, Massachusetts that John F. Kennedy attended as a child, who will all read excerpts from a selection  of President Kennedy’s most historic speeches.

There will be no physical audience during these performances – simply the backdrop of the sea that the President loved so dearly as the ceremony is broadcast live at www.jfklibrary.org and via satellite by media outlets that wish to cover the event. The ceremony will include a moment of silence at 2:00 p.m., the time that the President’s death was announced to the nation.

--> A Condolence Telegram sent from Mrs. J.D. Tippit to Mrs. Kennedy.  --> John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
A Nation Remembers: A Special Display of Artifacts from the President’s Funeral
Open November 22, 2013 – February 23, 2014

Opening on November 22, 2013, the Museum at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library will present a selection of artifacts from the President’s State Funeral. Items on display – many for the first time – will include the American flag that draped the President’s coffin and was presented to Jacqueline Kennedy; the saddle, sword, and boots from Black Jack, the riderless horse that followed the President’s horse-drawn coffin in the funeral cortege; the Green Beret left by a serviceman on the President’s gravesite; notes handwritten by Jacqueline Kennedy as she planned the funeral; and historic film footage and photographs of the State Funeral and national mourning.


--> John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
An Idea Lives On Legacy Project
Launches November 18, 2013

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Foundation today announced the launch of AnIdeaLivesOn.org, an online tribute to President John F. Kennedy that aims to create a multigenerational conversation about the many ways in which the legacy of our nation’s 35th president lives on today.

Named for President Kennedy’s poignant observation that, “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on,” the project invites the public to participate in the creation of an interactive documentary, putting a modern, human face on the enduring impact of John F. Kennedy. Entries answering the question: “How do the ideals of John F. Kennedy live on in your life today?” can be uploaded as video, audio, photographs or written messages at www.anidealiveson.org, or by using the hashtag #anidealiveson on Twitter.

Stories that will be introduced on the site throughout the week leading up to November 22, 2013 include Congressman John Lewis, comedian Conan O’Brien, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, actor Martin Sheen, House Leader Nancy Pelosi, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, journalist Luke Russert, poet Richard Blanco, among others.

The site is being created in collaboration with The Martin Agency and Tool of North America.

--> John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award Ceremony
November 25, 2013

Congresswomen Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), one of the first two female combat veterans to serve in the U.S. Congress and an emerging leader on veterans’ issues, and Charles Best, Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org, a pioneering online charity that connects individual donors with public school teachers to meet classroom teaching needs, have been named this year’s recipients of the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Awards. The awards will be presented by Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy’s grandson and a member of the New Frontier Award Committee, at 6:00 p.m. on November 25, 2013 during a ceremony at the Institute of Politics at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The John F. Kennedy New Frontier Awards were created by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and Harvard’s Institute of Politics to honor Americans under the age of 40 who are changing their communities and the country with their commitment to public service. The awards are presented annually to two exceptional individuals whose contributions in elective office, community service, or advocacy demonstrate the impact and the value of public service in the spirit of John F. Kennedy.

In remarks delivered on November 21, 1963 at the Dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center in San Antonio, Texas, President Kennedy said:

“For more than 3 years I have spoken about the New Frontier. This is not a partisan term, and it is not the exclusive property of Republicans or Democrats. It refers, instead, to this Nation's place in history, to the fact that we do stand on the edge of a great new era, filled with both crisis and opportunity, an era to be characterized by achievement and by challenge. It is an era which calls for action and for the best efforts of all those who would test the unknown and the uncertain in every phase of human endeavor. It is a time for pathfinders and pioneers.”

--> John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Wendy Davis files her candidacy for Governor of Texas

11.11.13


Wendy Davis

It's official! Wendy Davis has filed her candidacy to be Governor of Texas. To follow her campaign click here.

Wendy Davis to run for Governor of Texas

6.10.13

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The news that we were all anticipating was finally confirmed this week- State Senator Wendy Davis is running to be Texas Governor!

Davis rose to prominence in June this year when she delivered an 11 hour filibuster against a bill that threatened to severely restrict abortion access for women. Her pink sneakers and her fierce determination positioned her as a rising star in the Democratic party, and she consequently raised an impressive sum of campaign funds during a fundraising stop in Washington D.C. over the summer.

During her announcement speech, Davis promised to be an advocate for those who feel they no longer have a voice in the halls of the Texas State Capitol, as well as fighting for more education funding and taking on Texas Republicans who are 'in the pockets of their campaign contributors.'

There is little doubt that Davis will face heavy Republican opposition, and it is likely that she will face Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott in the battle for the Governor's Mansion.

What do you think of Wendy Davis's bid to be Governor?
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