| Details | On the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ike’s historic landfall on the upper Texas coast, supporters of Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) will gather to participate in the Galveston Rebirth Race. On Saturday September 12, 2009, the race will begin at the Mardi Gras Arch in front of the historic Tremont House hotel. Participants in the 5K will run or walk through Galveston’s historic downtown, East-End, Silk Stocking, and San Jacinto neighborhoods.
“Historic Galveston Island has seen its fill of calamities,” says Clay Wade, director of events for GHF. “Its rich architecture remaining stands as a testament to survival of storms, fires and progress.
“The preservation programs of GHF have, for more than 50 years, been the catalyst for its continued existence,” says Wade. “We are very excited to offer this fun, and healthy, new event to our line-up of our other fundraisers. Support of the 5K run/walk will enable GHF to persist in keeping Galveston historic.”
Galveston’s commercial and residential districts contain a diverse mix of historic homes and buildings dating as far back as the early 1800s, including the home of Michael B. Menard, one of the city of Galveston’s founders, built in 1938. Galveston is also home to Ashton Villa, built in 1859 by James Moreau Brown, then one of the richest men in Texas. Bishop’s Palace, built between 1887 and 1892, is another Galveston landmark, named by the American Institute of Architects as the 14th most important Victorian building in America.
“Texans have long recognized that the historic buildings and neighborhoods of Galveston are some of the local places that make the island unique,” says Dwayne Jones, executive director of GHF. “This run will highlight several of our historic neighborhoods and the threatened cast iron buildings downtown, but it is an even larger symbol of our ability to endure and triumph over Hurricane Ike and its consequences. This will be one of a number of local events that recognizes our inner strength as well as Galveston's resilience as a coastal community.”
All proceeds from the Galveston Rebirth Race will go towards supporting GHF and its mission of preservation, community redevelopment, stewardship of historic properties and public education.
Incorporated in 1954, Galveston Historical Foundation is one of the nation's largest local preservation organizations. Over the last 50 years, the foundation has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, public education, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation and stewardship of historic properties. Today, GHF has over 2,000 memberships representing individuals, families, and businesses across Texas, the US and abroad and exerts a profound impact on the culture and economy of the Island.
For more information or to register, go to www.galvestonhistory.org or call 409-765-7834. |
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