Category Archives: APL News

Stained glass skylight preservation at the Swenson

Preservation, in addition to all its other attributes, can be perilous! This morning we began the project to stabilize the stained glass skylight above the front entry at the Swenson House. Aided by stained glass restorer Mike McCormick, we set out to clean, straighten and strengthen the beautiful skylight that had sat in place for a while — oh, 101 years.

The stained glass panel was installed in 1910 and sits about 25 feet above the entry.

The stained glass panel was installed in 1910 and sits about 25 feet above the entry.

But first we had to get the panel down to where Mike could work on it. The calendar at the Swenson is open for the next few days, so the work won’t interfere with any parties. Engineering getting the panel down was tricky. Mike brought some extra new rope, handles to attach to each end of the panel, and the idea was that we would just lower it down to the first floor…

W.G. Swenson and the architect, William Preston, designed what can best be described as a light box in the attic that would keep most of the attic dust away and also capture the light coming in from the dormer window in front of the house. The walls are painted silver, to reflect the most light.

The dormer window on the front of the house provides light

The dormer window on the front of the house provides light

Mike McCormick attaches the rope for lowering the panel

Mike McCormick attaches the rope for lowering the panel

Our field service and maintenance expert Max Lambert was at the other end, along with Janine Estrella, secretary of the APL Board. Janine was documenting with her camera. There were so many unknowns about what would happen when we started lowering the panel… how much does it weigh? Is the 100 year old wood frame strong enough? How about the metal holding the glass together? And how about the physics of lowering this panel with the two ropes: could it result in an irreplaceable piece swinging wildly above the front door (possibly going through the front door’s beveled glass)?

The panel was wedged in with wooden shims. Once we got those out, it was time to see if we could lift and fit the panel through the opening for its trip down. The answer: Yes, and it went a bit faster than we expected. The corner of the frame that Max was lowering gave way about halfway down due to the sudden stress of torque after so many years of none. I wound up holding the rope for the other side because Mike was about to be pulled into the hole…

The Abyss: about 14 inches on one side and a slope on the other. That is what we had to stabilize ourselves on.

The Abyss: about 14 inches on one side and a slope on the other. That is what we had to stabilize ourselves on.

One side was down and the other came down to rest slowly. There is some work to do on the south end of the piece where the frame gave way, but on the whole the panel came out pretty well intact. But then we had to get ourselves out of the “light box” and safely out of the attic.

I had to move my posterior along that board to the entrance to the light box, with a hand from Mike to avoid the Abyss.

I had to move my posterior along that board toward the entrance to the light box, with a hand from Mike to avoid plunging into the Abyss.

View upstairs after lowering the panel

View upstairs after lowering the panel

Ready for its makeover. Beginning with a careful vacuuming!

Ready for its makeover. Beginning with a careful vacuuming!

With a thorough cleaning and reglazing Mike will do, the original color of the stained glass will come through beautifully. Oh yeah, we’ve got to get it back up there in a few days!

–Bill Minter
Executive Director

Master of Arts in Historic Preservation

We welcome as a guest columnist Julie Gleeson from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. Julie provides a guest column about the highly-rated preservation graduate program at Goucher. – ed.

Founded as the nation’s first limited residency graduate program in the field, Goucher College’s Master of Arts in Historic Preservation (MAHP) program reflects the breadth of historic preservation itself.  Our students are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds-from architects, planners, historians, and nonprofit administrators already professionally involved in historic preservation to teachers, contractors, archeologists, developers, community volunteers and others with a deep interest in working in the field.

Serving as tutors and mentors rather than traditional lecturers, our faculty meets face-to-face with students during annual summer session held on Goucher’s campus.  Throughout the course of the academic year, they maintain close contact with students utilizing online, interactive classrooms and as well as other forms of written and verbal communication.

Our limited-residency structure means that wherever you are, you’ll have the attention of top professionals from around the nation. For more information about the MAHP program, please visit www.goucher.edu/mahp

A good step for Lincoln – Historic AHS

The building as it looked before the sheet metal was installed over the windows. The planned development district would not restrict what any owner does with the windows, but does stipulate the facade will be basically the same.

The building as it looked before the sheet metal was installed over the windows. The planned development district would not restrict what any owner does with the windows, but does stipulate the facade will be basically the same.

This morning the Abilene City Council gave unanimous approval to a Planned Development District that would incorporate the property on South First Street that is the former Lincoln Middle School. This was the result of several meetings between city and AISD officials, the APL and others. This is the first real protection that the building has ever had against demolition or neglectful misuse.

In 1924 the school opened, replacing two former school buildings on the block. It was intended, through the interpretation of architect David S. Castle, to represent to the world of visitors that passed by on the train or driving on the Bankhead Highway (South First) that Abilene was a community that is committed to education. Today’s action by the Council indicates that commitment is still there, along with an appreciation for our heritage.

Wild West Halloween Ball

It’s getting close! Reserve Saturday evening, October 15th for the Wild West Halloween Ball… Delicious dinner, dancing under the stars to the amazing 17 piece West Texas Jazz Orchestra, all to benefit historic preservation and neighborhood stabilization in Abilene. The Preservation League works hard all year long to preserve the Swenson House, Rosetyme-J.D. Magee home, and work toward downtown and neighborhood revitalization. With your paid reservation we will give a ticket for a child attending the after-school programs of the Alliance for Women and Children to attend the Haunted Abilene event later in the month.

Janine Estrella, Janet Payne and Marty Puls show "Slim" one of the chandeliers that will provide special illumination for the Wild West Halloween Ball, October 15th at the Swenson House.

Janine Estrella, Janet Payne and Marty Puls show "Slim" one of the chandeliers that will provide special illumination for the Wild West Halloween Ball, October 15th at the Swenson House.

So join the fun… to make a reservation, just email us, or call for more information at 325-676-3775!

Schedule of showings on KTXS-TV of “History in Plain Sight”

Producer-Writer-Director Jay Moore, left, Videographer and editor David Gibson, right.

Producer-Writer-Director Jay Moore, left, Videographer and editor David Gibson, right.

From a release by KTXS-TV:

KTXS is proud to be in partnership with local historian Jay Moore and his Class of ’78 Productions in which KTXS will rebroadcast his acclaimed “History in Plain Sight” Abilene documentaries.

Moore, a history teacher at Abilene High School, has produced these specials through the generosity of the Dian Graves Owen Foundation and with the help of the Abilene Preservation League. These specials have previously run on Suddenlink Cable Public Access Channel 7 and will also continue to run on Suddenlink, as well as KTXS.

Mr. Moore comments, “The history of Abilene and this part of Texas is rich in stories and I have always enjoyed mining these tales and bringing them to the light of day. I believe that knowing local history helps us understand who we are as West Texans.”

“KTXS is thrilled to bring these wonderful documentaries to a greater audience across the entire Big Country. We share Jay’s passion and enthusiasm for the history of Abilene and the Big Country”, says Kyle Krebs, General Manager of KTXS/KTXE/KTES/CW Abilene.

Next Airings will be:
Sunday, Sept. 18 – 12pm-12:30pm – “Who is that Street”
Sunday, Sept. 25 – 12pm-12:30pm – “Abilene Beginnings”

The series has been named a Merit Award Winner by the American Association for State and Local History, which is the nation’s most prestigious award for history projects and organizations.

Preservation Awards Luncheon Thursday

It is looking like an entertaining Heritage Stewardship Awards luncheon, Thursday, June 2 from 11:45 to 1:15. Attendees will be able to vote on the Beautiful House Award, given to one of the five nominees this year of homeowners that do an exceptional job of maintaining and improving their “Beautiful House.”

In addition, we will honor the legacy of Kay and Richard Dillard and their children, who saved the Henry Sayles home at South 7th and Sayles. Our very special guest speaker will be Terry Colley, Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Historical Commission. There’s plenty of parking downtown, one block west of the Elks Arts Center location, in the First Baptist parking lot.

Tickets are $45 per person, available online, and by calling us at 325-676-3775. We hope to see you! Proceeds benefit historic preservation in Abilene.

Before, about 1970; it wouldn't be there now

Before, about 1970; it wouldn't be there now

OK Abilene Entrepreneurs…

There’s a really great little restaurant in San Marcos called the Cool Mint Cafe (photo below). Abilene has hundreds of these 1920s Arts and Crafts bungalows, some near downtown and in areas already zoned for commercial.

A cool restoration of a 20s bungalow

A cool restoration of a 20s bungalow

With the expanded TSTC culinary arts training program, doesn’t it seem like the time is right for a non-chain restaurant to add another reason to come to downtown Abilene? Nothing against the chain restaurants, but they would never do anything like this because of–well, I call it “group think.” This restaurant has been in business for nearly six years, and operates as both a restaurant with market and a base for a thriving catering business. The bottom line is… Abilene has the marketplace and the talent. It’s just waiting for someone to step out there.

Check out the restaurant’s web site

Potential uses for Lincoln property, plus new photos

gargoylessmAt the Preservation League, we have been involved in two tours of the historic AHS-Lincoln property and meeting with AISD officials over the future of the buildings and property. Recently we hosted two officials from the National Trust for Historic Preservation Southwest Office on a visit to Abilene and tour. If you’ve seen Bird’s recent photos on Facebook you’ve seen the most recent photos of the interior. We also have some from a 2009 tour here.

Thanks for your thoughts, we’ve heard from several Facebook friends who ask,

  • “what’s the plan for the building?”
  • “I hope it doesn’t get torn down!”
  • “The happiest years of my life were spent in that building.”
  • “Don’t let them do anything to dear old Abilene High – I graduated in 1932!”

So there is a tremendous amount of good will and interest in preserving the building. We have been gathering and refining ideas for the adaptive reuse of Lincoln for some time. The thing we definitely know now is that the school district will begin the process of considering proposals for the sale of the building. We also know that unlike some buildings in the past, almost no one wants demolition as an outcome. The danger is that someone would get possession of the building and let the elements take their toll in a process that’s called demolition by neglect.

We have come up with a document that outlines some of the leading potential re-uses for the property. We present this as a work in progress, and would welcome your input to further develop it. The full document is available at the link below, and here is a condensed version:

More desirable uses include:

  • Residential, multi-use, conversion of the wings to loft apartments and adding some new construction;
  • A new Central Library for Abilene, possibly including a museum of history;
  • A center of social services and offices for non-profits;
  • Educational

Less desirable uses include:

  • Use as storage space
  • Buy & hold for speculation

Unacceptable to the concept of preservation:

  • Demolition
  • Demolition by neglect

This two-page document is available here. And we welcome comments, which you can make below, or by emailing us.

Views of Franklin

This is a great mosaic. Can it be preserved in any way? We are checking into it.

This is a great mosaic. Can it be preserved in any way? We are checking into it.

Thanks to several of our members, here are some views of the interior of Franklin Middle School. Today’s article in the Reporter-News has news about saving some of the items in the school. A couple of good comments at the bottom. Demolition is set to begin next week. Janine was able to photograph a few items inside, and we’ll post more photos next week. The impressive mosaic next to the office… what’s going to happen to that? Landfill? At least with some photographs there will be some memory.

These are musical notes in the terrazzo, we think, discovered under some carpet which was glued down.

These are musical notes in the terrazzo, we think, discovered under some carpet which was glued down.