President's Message

The 60th Anniversary of the APTA - What Is Our Future?

2011-11-09T12:25:00.001-06:00

On November 8, 1951, a group of very far-sighted women formed the APTA in order to preserve and maintain Tennessee’s rich cultural heritage. We are one of the oldest historic preservation organizations in the United States. The goals of this initial group are further described in the APTA’s charter and by-laws. Sixty years later the APTA continues to carry out these goals. I wish I had known these women so that I could have absorbed some of their vision for the future. As I look back upon my years as a board member and then President of the APTA I think we have accomplished much. We have a stable organization, we have helped to preserve our sites, and I believe we have become a “preservation player” in this state. We have and are reaching out to other historic and preservation organizations.

But we can’t rest on our laurels and past successes. The APTA has to continue to reinvent itself. As our organization has aged so has our membership. We have lost so many fine and valuable members in recent years. To survive, this organization and the chapters must seek new members constantly. Not only must we sign up new members, we must get them involved in our programs. In line with this goal, we must attract young members. We must embrace the new technologies that come with younger members. The youth are our future.

I am probably preaching something I have brought up before. I don’t want to sound like a broken record. We must set goals for new membership and achieve these goals. I urge our board and all the chapters to start membership campaigns immediately. To accomplish what we need to do in this state we need, in my opinion, at least 3500 members. We are far short of that number. But we need active members who want to participate in the preservation of our history and its structures.
Money is tight and the economy is in a heavy recession. Having said this I believe the APTA is not only a “survivor’ but it is also a necessity. We are a necessary element in the preservation movement in this state. My challenge to each of you is to extend the opportunity to join the APTA to everyone you know. We need them and the preservation movement needs them. With their help the APTA will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2051!

2011-05-16T16:35:00.002-05:00

Spring has arrived and so has the busy season for our sites, the APTA staff and the Board of Directors. Several sites have begun their calendar of events and the board just completed a good working session at the Spring APTA Board meeting. We had a nice turnout for the APTA annual membership meeting at Belle Meade Plantation on May 10th. Many thanks to all who attended these meetings and to our speaker, Doug Jones. Special thanks are in order too for Alton Kelly our “resident auctioneer”. Again this year Alton conducted a fast moving auction that produced a considerable amount of revenue for the APTA. I saw many new faces at the annual membership meeting and hope many more new faces appear at future meetings. The strength of our organization is the membership and we constantly seek new members to become involved in our programs.

As I have mentioned before this year marks the 60th anniversary of the APTA. We have accomplished many things over those years. The APTA has preserved or played a role in the preservation of over 50 historic structures or sites during this time. It is a safe bet to say that some, if not many, of these historic structures or sites would have been lost without APTA involvement. We have run the course and we have done well in the preservation race. We plan to keep on this course.

At the same time, it is my belief that we can do so many other things in the future to help preserve Tennessee‘s past. Over the last couple of years I have promoted improving our organization by 1) networking with other preservation organizations to achieve common goals and 2) look for alternative ways to preserve historic sites to complement ownership of sites and the operation of house museums. I am not saying we should stop doing what we have done by any means. I am submitting that we need to increase the arsenal of options we use to preserve historic sites. I am using this message to briefly set forth several measures we need to explore and utilize to accomplish our organizational goals for the future.

The following preservation measures and techniques are followed by a brief explanation. The purpose of this article is not to provide an exhaustive treatment of all preservation alternatives, but to give our members a checklist of tools for consideration in preserving historic properties.

1. Conservation easements-a written agreement that protects use and conveys a measure of control over use without acquiring title to the property.

2. Life Estate- a form of legal ownership that allows the owner to keep property for life with the title to vest in a person or agency upon his or her death.

3.Options or rights of first refusal-a legally binding agreement that allows a person or organization some rights to purchase property at a future date or upon a future occurrence.

4. Donation of land- a donation of land to a non-profit with 501 (c) (3) tax status, like the APTA, can have beneficial tax treatment for the donor.

5. Property tax exchanges- in some instances an owner of historic property might be willing to exchange the historic property for another type of property or land. If properties exchanged are of equal value capital gains can be avoided under the tax code.

6. Historic covenants and restrictions- these are private restrictions that can be placed on properties by owners to preserve and protect the property. The APTA is already the benefited entity and enforcement entity on one property in West Tennessee.

7. Fee simple ownership- this is the transfer of title of property by purchase or gift.

Feel free to contact me or Elliott McNiel for additional information on this subject. I am urging all members and chapters to look at properties in your area with historic significance to see if any of these tools can be utilized to preserve these properties. Several of these options require significant expenditures while others do not. The APTA is in a position to provide some level of technical assistance free of charge to our chapters and members if you need help in using these tools to protect historic properties. I look forward to serving you in 2011-2012. Please let us know how we can help.

I Invite You To Take The Pledge With Me

2010-10-19T12:18:00.006-05:00

Fall is finally here! It has been a long hot summer, but a productive one for our chapters. There has been a flurry of activity at our sites - just take a look at the Events site on our website. Among noteworthy events were the antique wedding dress exhibit at the Woodruff-Fontaine House, the Candle-lit Evening in the Garden at the Buchanan Log Home, the Athenaeum Girl's School, the 25th Annual Fall Fest at Belle Meade Plantation and the Civil War Living History Program at Ramsey House. The Hardeman and Rutherford County chapters sponsored numerous events, a summer market was held at Glenmore, and summer tours educated travelers at the Crockett Tavern and Arlington. This activity clearly demonstrates that we are vigorously carrying out our mission. I always keep reminding others when I talk about APTA, that we are doing something very few others are doing in this state. We are operating historic sites to give the public a feel for and a glimpse into Tennessee's past. I want to thank all our members for continuing to support these important efforts.

As I have been saying for several years, many people like to talk about historic preservation, but very few people contribute time, money and their talents to it. The APTA membership has declined for several years as have memberships in several nonprofit organizations. As I go into my second term as APTA president, it is my intention to reverse this trend in APTA. To continue to carry our our mission, we need to constantly recruit members and get these members involved in our organization. My goal is to double our membership statewide over the next four years. I would like for you to consider making this your goal too. In this spirit I urge each APTA member to recruit at least one new member, either as a chapter member or as an APTA associate member, each year for the next four years. I pledge that I will do the same. Once we recruit new members we must get them involved in our programs to keep their interest. I would very much appreciate it if you will join me in this pledge to increase the strength and visibility of APTA.

A final note, and on that I don't want to overlook, is that in order to be a "player" in the preservation field, the APTA has reached out to other historic preservation organizations in Tennessee and outside the state. I urge our members to participate in other historic preservation organizations as well. The exchange of information and the additional knowledge our members will obtain by joining with others will serve to make the APTA stronger. We are very fortunate in that members of our organization operate their own historic sites and programs that compliment APTA sites and programs. I don't want to exclude anyone, but the Victorian Village project in Memphis, Fiddler's Grove in Lebanon and Falls Mill in Belvidere come to mind. I can't stress enough that everyone involved in the preservation of our state's history is a vital asset if we intend to make an impact in the 21st century.

President's Message- In Memorium

2010-03-21T20:18:00.003-05:00

I want to take this opportunity to advise the members of the passing of one of our former state Presidents, Alice Wright Algood of Columbia, on this past Tuesday. Although all of the APTA members I have met have had some influence or impact on me, the biggest impact was made by two members, now both deceased. Vance Berry helped to "groom" me for the Presidents office and he provided valuable insight into the past and future of the APTA and its day to day operation and goals. Alice Algood made it clear to me that a strong APTA was vital to the preservation effort in this state when some persons doubted the role and future of the APTA. She was very intelligent, forceful, direct and blunt ( in a great sense). She was a true conservative and a renowed member of the GOP in this state. But she also was a great local and state historian and preservationist. She made it clear to me that the APTA needed to play a continuing role in preservation in this state and we did not need to rest on past laurels but make our way and impact in the future. I will personally miss her as a "rock" who could get things done, as well as a true supporter of the APTA. Alice belived in accomplishment and results and I have often thought of her when a tough decision had to be made. We are blessed with many dedicated members in the APTA but no-one was quite like Alice. I think one of the real losses is her memory about history and preservation and the history of the APTA. It was fitting that the the funeral services took place in a lovely historic church, Zion Presyterian Church, near Columbia that has roots back to 1807. It was also very fitting that her coffin was covered by magolia leaves from historic homes in Columbia. We will miss you, Alice.

President's Message January 24, 2010

2010-01-24T10:20:00.002-06:00

The economy has presented a difficult obstacle for historic sites and non-profits in general.It takes a lot of money to maintain and preserve historic properties and our chapters have managed to perform these functions well in difficult times. Please keep our Endowment Trust in mind if you wish to make charitable donations in 2010 as this fund is our "lifeblood" to provide grants to chapters to maintain and repair the buildings located at APTA sites. Also in 2009, our Board approved the creation of a "revolving fund" to enable the APTA to make purchases of historic sites or land if necessary to preserve them from destruction or demolition or detrimental development. We would welcome any donations for this fund also. I anticipate that this role of the APTA will increase as time passes. We are also interested in creating historic easements or covenants to protect historic properties in the future.

I would also like to announce that the APTA has a new Executive Director effective January 18, 2010. Her name is Elliott McNiel and she has an extensive background in non-profit management and a strong interest in historic preservation. I am certain that she will introduce herself to our chapters and members as the opportunity arises. Feel free to call or e-mail her with questions or just to say hello to her.

Let us know if you wish to become active with the APTA or its chapters in 2010 as there is always a need for assistance.Thank you for your interest in and support of the APTA.

President's Message October 29, 2009

2009-10-29T23:40:00.002-05:00

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.

President's Message-August 25, 2009

2009-08-25T22:02:00.002-05:00

As the summer winds down I wanted to remind our members that we are conducting our 2009 historic marking program. The calendar mentions upcoming events but I wanted to mention that photos of our marking events will be featured on this website. All APTA members and interested persons are welcome to these events. We have marked two sites this year, the Cullum Mansion circa 1838 in Carthage and the Isaac McBee house near Strawberry Plains circa 1850. Both sites are excellent examples of mid-19th century architecture. The owners of these properties are very gracious and were wonderful hosts to those in attendance. I also want to thank the Glenmore chapter for hosting the APTA Board meeting last Saturday. If you have not visited this site, please do so when you get a chance. In fact, I urge you to visit all our sites as I learn something new every time I visit a site. Finally, our Executive Director, Martha Sloan has advised that she wishes to step down from this position as soon as a replacement is found so that she can concentrate on other endeavors. She has done a great job and has been a tireless worker for the APTA. She desires to continue on as a member and volunteer, especially with involvement in the marking program. Your efforts to the APTA are very much appreciated, Martha. We look forward to your continued efforts on behalf of the APTA.

Anyone wishing to apply for this position can e-mail resumes to my attention at bnotestine@hotmail.com

President's Message-August 1, 2009

2009-08-01T21:20:00.003-05:00

It has been a busy summer for several chapters. I can thankfully report that our chapters are operating and are generally faring well. Despite the difficult economy, I continue to be amazed how resourceful our chapters are in finding funding sources to continue our preservation programs. In June I visited the Ramsey House and the Crockett Tavern and I apprecate the warm welcome of the folks at those sites. I can truly say that they represent the APTA well in East Tennesse. I also visited Arlington in July. I was fascinated by the fact that the APTA is involved in a large portion of the historic downtown area including preservation of several historic buildings. I urge all APTA members and anyone interested in historic sites to visit these wonderful APTA sites.I have now been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to visit all of our sites.

We are compiling lists of potential grants sources for the area in which each chapter is located. We hope to provide this information by the end of August to the Chapters. The APTA Board is meeting at Glenmore on August 22nd and I urge you to also visit this wonderful property if you have not been there. I want to remind all APTA members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Nationa Conference in the fall. This should be a great event for preservationists in this state. I plan to attend and hope to see you at the convention. The APTA has several historic marking ceremonies scheduled from mid-August through October and we welcome your participation in these events. Scheduled markings are listed on the calendar on this site. As always, let Martha Sloan or myself know if we can be of assistance.

President's Message May 25, 2009

2009-05-25T20:12:00.002-05:00

The annual membership meeting was successful as was the auction. The annual meeting ended up with a profit. Special thanks go to Alton Kelly for providing those in attendance with several fund-raising alternatives to consider. I feel a new drive for the APTA in the 21st century and this was evidenced at the annual meeting. I was especially glad that we have been able to network with other preservation organizations and special thanks go to Patrick McIntyre of the Tennessee Historic Commission and Dan Brown of the Tennessee Preservation Trust who attended our meeting. I have also had the opportunity to meet with Ann Toplovich of the Tennessee Historical Society and Stephen Brown of the Tennessee Preservation Trust. In these tough economic times we are all striving to promote preservation and it is really a plus to combine our efforts to achieve our goals. Our immediate goals are to promote preservation and serve our chapters. If you are interested in starting a chapter in your area, let us know how we can help. No site is necessary. Keep promoting the Preservation of this great state!

President's Message April 19, 2009

2009-04-19T20:07:00.002-05:00

The year has started out well for the APTA despite the slow economy. All non-profits seem to be hurting economically and the APTA would certainly appreciate any contributions the members care to make. Also, be sure to attend the annual membership meeting at the Belle Meade Plantation in May. Our speaker will discuss innovative fund-rasing opportunites for chapters to consider. I am working on two other things that should benefit our chapters and members. We have obtained the services of a lobbyist, Doug Jones, who can assist any chapter with what is happening on Capitol Hill. His phone number is 615-244-6670. Mr. Jones and I visited with several legislators on prerevation issues in March on Legislator's Day.The executive director and I are also working on developing a catalog of grants sources.We are also ready to embark on the 2009 marker program with letters to the successful nominees to go out this month. As always, please let me know if I can assist you in any way.

President's Message January 3, 2009

2009-01-03T21:38:00.002-06:00

I am always amazed about the creative events our chapters develop. A recent one that has come to my attention which I believe is very worthy of notice is the series of Ghostly Dinners hosted by the Maury County Chapter as an on-going event. The cost is $35.00 and includes dinner, tours and Ghost experiences. For information and dinner dates call the chapter president, Linda Gupton at (931)381-4822.

President's Message December 4, 2008

2008-12-04T22:05:00.003-06:00

As this year comes to close, I am thankful for many things despite the gloomy economy. The APTA continues to provide a unique look into the history of Tennessee and although money is tight, our sites and chapters have been innovative in finding ways to fund and operate programs.As we move into 2009, I urge anyone interested in Tennessee history and the APTA to consider the following:

1. The state APTA is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donations to the APTA will be tax deductible. your donations will be used to promote historic preservation in this state.

2. If you are aware of endangered historic sites, let us know if we can help in any way.

3. Remember our historic marking program. We are accepting applications through March 15, 2009.The application form is on this site.

4.We appreciate our members. We hope you will consider membership. The application form is located on this site.

5.The Nashville Chapter has agreed to renovate the APTA office in the Gardners Shed on the grounds of Belle Meade Plantation. The office will be closed due to this process from December 10 through late January or early February. The office phone will be forwarded to the Executive Director. E-mail service will continue uninterrupted. In the interim, the fax number will be (615) 297-2413.

6. The APTA Board approved future e-mailing of the newsletter. Members please provide the Executive Director with your e-mail address.

7. We have opportunities for volunteers and some vacant Board positions. Contact us if you wish to serve the APTA.

Most of all, thank you for your interest in the APTA.I wish each of you a great holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

President's Message- November 7, 2008

2008-11-08T20:33:00.003-06:00

We had a very successful and positive APTA Board of Directors Meeting today and even through the calendar year is coming to a close, the APTA is still involved in several activities before the end of the year. The new Events section of this site will keep all interested persons informed about upcoming events. I urge all chapter presidents to keep the Executive Director infromed as to upcoming APTA events so that we can get items listed on the events calendar. I also want to remind everyone that we are accepting nominations for the 2009 APTA marking program throgh March 1, 2009. The nomination form is available through this website.

The Fayette County Chapter has been re-formed and is in full swing. Likewise, another new chapter is being considered in West Tennessee. If you are interested in forming a chapter please contact us as one of our key missions is to promote preservation throught the State of Tennessee. Contrary to what you might have heard no site historic is necessary for chapter formation.The APTA is also interested in intervening to protect and preserve endangered historic sites so I urge you to keep us informed if we can help.

If you want to help promote preservation in this state we have a couple of board positions open and we are always looking for energetic and devoted preservationists to serve. Remember, our by-laws and charter calls on us to receive real and personal property for preservation purposes, to advocate for preservation, to educate the public about preservation efforts, to provide technical assistance and to work with other organizations to accomplish the preservation of the history of this state. We welcome all persons with interests in these areas. We are also a 501 (c) (3) organization so your gifts to the APTA are tax deductible. Please call on us if we can be of assistance.

President's Message-September 7, 2008

2008-09-07T23:53:00.002-05:00

It has been a busy summer for the APTA! In addition to the four historic markings featured on the historic markings page on this site, I have visited many existing APTA sites and I plan to visit them all before the year is out. As I have said to many members during these site visits, I am simply amazed about the beauty and history that permeates all of the APTA sites. I have also realized that the need for the APTA continues to grow. Daily, historic homes and buildings are being destroyed and there are very few nonprofit agencies or entities willing to actually own, operate and preserve historic properties. The APTA's work in not done, it is really just beginning!

I would like mention a few happenings at APTA sites. The Smithsonian Museum on Mainstreet continues at the APTA's Little Courthouse Museum in Bolivar throughSeptember 21, 2008. The Buchanan Log House in Nashville is celebrating its 200th birthday this year. The Memphis APTA chapter and the APTA have been working to ensure that the historic Lee House in Memphis is preserved. The marking of the Dome Building in Chattanooga was a fantasic event and will both give the APTA a presence again in Hamilton County while, at the same time, it will promote public interest in that grand commercial building. I also wanted to mention that a unique program, the Three Stars of Tennessee exhibition in Jackson, will take place from November 1 through 16, 2008. This will be a unique display of Tennessee artifacts and art to beneift the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.

The APTA is now accepting nominations for the 2009 marking program and will continue to accept them through March 1, 2009. The nomination form is on this site. We need the assistance of all our members in carrying out our goals and objectives and I would love to have volunteers with grants skills contact myself or Martha Sloan about forming a grants committee to assist chapters and other sites to obtain financing assistance. Finally, the APTA will continue to seek opportunities to preserve historic properties through acquisition, by gift or by preparing and recording historic conservation easements. If we can be of assistance in any of these areas just contact us.

President's Message- July 13, 2008

2008-07-13T23:49:00.003-05:00

Fellow APTA members- As part of the content on our new website, I intend to write a monthly President's message in an attempt to better inform interested persons about APTA activities and programs.On July 1, 2008 when I took office as the APTA President I was humbled about attempting to fill the shoes of so many fine past presidents since 1951. At the same time,I welcome the challenge to try to carry out the stated goals of the APTA- preservation of historic structures within the State of Tennessee, to promote the understanding of the history of our state, and to edcuate the public about preservation. Since I became a member several years ago I have been enthused about the things the APTA can accomplish in this state in the preservation field. At the same time, I have reached the realization that preservation dollars are scarce and limit the things we can do. In order to move forward to achieve our goals I propose a ten point program for the APTA for the next two year period as follows:

1. Growth of chapter and Associate membership.A special emphasis on attracting young people with preservation interests.

2. Provide better support and technical assistance to the chapters.

3. To increase the number of chapters.

4. To create a "revolving fund" to acquire and preserve, for the short-term, historic structure in danger of destruction.

5. To become more involved in the preservation of historic buildings through the use of historic conservation easements and historic restrictions and covenants.

6. To train volunteers as grantspersons and to seek grants assistance for chapters.

7. To provide centralized legal assistance to chapters.

8. To remain a "preservation player" and use out skills and resources to work in concert with other preservation agencies to preserve historic properties.

9. To create an APTA presence in as many counties in Tennessee as possible through media promotions, historic markings and chapter events.

10. To promote APTA sites through the newly revised website and our new APTA brochure.

I realize this program is expansive. I also realize it will take the efforts of all APTA members to make progress in these areas. But as this state's oldest historic preservation organization, I belive we have the ability to be a leader in the preservation field in Tennessee. I welcome the assistance of all members to carry out this ambitious program. Please contact myslef or Martha Sloan, the Executive Director if you wish to become involved in any of these programs.