Jump to Main Content
 

President's Message: President's Message October 29, 2009

Thursday, October 29, 2009

President's Message October 29, 2009

It has been a busy and productive year for the APTA despite the gloomy economy. The chapter reports I have received indicate that the chapters are active and are focused on our mission to preserve historic properties and educate the public about these properties and historic preservation. Please check out our marking category to see the great sites we have recognized and marked this year. I am simply amazed at the number and variety of historic structures in this state that exist despite the constant reporting of the destruction of historic sites.

Martha Sloan has graciously continued to serve as executive director until a successor is appointed. The Executive Committee is meeting this Saturday to review the duties and qualifications of the executive director and will report to the APTA board about their recommendations. We will publish the position description and will accept applications for the position starting November 2, 2009.

We were successful in selling the Hannum Rhea House in Somerville to very preservation oriented buyers who will renovate and preserve the property in the spirit of our historic preservation covenants and easement which were recorded earlier this year. The historic preservation and easement program is a new initiative of the APTA which will enable us to have input into the destiny of historic properties even though we do not own them or elect to sell the property.

I urge any members who have not been involved actively in the APTA to contact myself or the Executive Director as we have opportunities for you to participate actively in this fine organization in 2010, the 59th year of the APTA!

Finally, I would like to urge all viewers of this site and all APTA members to consider a November or December donation to the APTA Endowment Trust to help build up our trust. The trust is essential to the ability of the APTA to function and to preseve the historic properties owned and/or operated by the APTA. The APTA is a 501 (c)(3) organization and your donations are tax deductible. Please send all donations to the APTA at 110 Leake Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205.

Thank you for your interest in preservation in this state and in the APTA.