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Other
winners
2010
Kane, an 1890s "Folk Victorian" house in
Old Sixth Ward
2337
Blue Bonnet, a 1937 International Style residence
2421
Brentwood, a 1929 Katharine Mott-designed home
201
Main, the former First National Bank Building
Spire
Realty Group for its commitment to preservation downtown
1600
Westheimer, the former Imperial Plumbing Supply Building
3842
N. Braeswood, a 1960 modern office building
4916
Main, the former Weldon Cafeteria
Keck
Hall (Chemistry Building), Rice University
Girl
Scout Troop 12357, San Jacinto Council, for research
and assistance at Glenwood Cemetery
John
L. Nau III for his leadership in preservation
AIA
25 year award: Mies van der Rohe additions to the
Museum of Fine Arts |
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| Members
of Girl Scout Troop 12357 pose near the entrance
of Glenwood Cemetery. The Scouts helped the GHPA
Walking Tours Program research the lives of Houstonians
buried at Glenwood. (Photo by Jim Parsons) More
photos from this project > |
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In the fall of 2002, the leaders
of Troop 12357 of the San Jacinto Council of Girl Scouts
of America decided that historic Glenwood Cemetery would
be a good subject for the girls to study for their local
lore badge. Troop 12357 consists of 23 girls, ages 9 and
10.
The Scout leaders called Glenwood Cemetery, and the cemetery
office referred them to Greater Houston Preservation Alliance.
Thus began one of the most exciting projects GHPA has
undertaken in recent years. Instead of just providing
a docent-led tour of the cemetery, the GHPA volunteers
and the Scout leaders decided to involve the young ladies
in the process.
The GHPA volunteers identified 30 persons or families
buried at Glenwood who made significant contributions
to Houston's history. In choosing the subjects, the volunteers
considered how easy it would be for the girls to find
information (the goal was to make history fun), and emphasis
was given to women of accomplishment. To make history
relevant to the present, an effort was made to find people
whose names are associated with Houston landmarks the
girls would recognize. Each girl was assigned a subject,
and a few took two.
After being rained out on their first attempt, the GHPA
volunteers and the Girl Scouts met at Glenwood at noon
Nov. 15, 2002. The enthusiasm of the volunteers was immediately
apparent — although the event took place on a weekday
when the volunteers are usually busy at their jobs, almost
all of them were able to arrange their schedules to be
present.
The day began with a picnic on the cemetery grounds, accompanied
by a discussion of how Victorian-era Houstonians used
Glenwood as park space and often took picnics there. After
the picnic, the Girl Scouts and the GHPA volunteers began
their walk through the historic cemetery. As each subject
of the Girl Scouts' research was located, the Scout to
whom it was assigned addressed the group with the results
of her research. Along the way, the GHPA volunteers provided
information on historical figures not included in the
Scouts' assignments. The questions asked by the Girl Scouts
during the walk indicated a good knowledge of history
and a keen curiosity.
It was a wonderful day that will be long remembered by
the Walking Tour volunteers.
See more
photos from this project >
Next
winner: John Nau III >
Text: Martha Peterson
Copyright 2003, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance
This
year's sponsors >
GHPA home >
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