Marking a century of commitment to preserving San Antonio's historical gems, the Conservation Society of San Antonio celebrated its 100th anniversary. The organization, launched in 1924 by thirteen women, is hailed as one of the oldest of its kind in the country. In recent festivities, members gathered at the 1904 Lucy Maverick house to commemorate a century's worth of safeguarding San Antonio's architectural and cultural heritage, the San Antonio Report states.
In a statement reflecting on the group's founding, formed in response to a property at risk from a street-widening project, Kathy Krnavek, the current president of the Conservation Society, said, "We've got to work at keeping San Antonio, San Antonio — it’s not like any other place." Keen on maintaining the city's unique identity, the society has successfully intervened in various historical structures' fates, and with an event like A Night in Old San Antonio, which adds to their preservation war chest, they are looking forward to the next century of work, according to the Express News.
The Conservation Society's influence stretches beyond the local, having participated in forming Preservation Action, a national lobby for historic preservation. An impressive portfolio of movements brought the protection of the San Antonio Missions and, through extensive lobbying, their eventual designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015—Texas' only site of its kind. "It’s a milestone to celebrate," described Barbara Johnson, the centennial committee chairwoman and a former president of the society, according to the San Antonio Report.
Indeed, the practical ties between preservation and the city's vitality are echoed through the workings of the Conservation Society. With a roster of over 1,100 members and events, including the long-running 'A Night in Old San Antonio', the society has not only safeguarded landmarks but also fostered tourism and economic benefits for the city. They've looked at more than just bricks and mortar, extending their scope to include educational grants and taking a stand on issues of land conservation. "They were trying to preserve not just landmarks but the appeal of the city and its historic names and scenery and customs," historian Lewis Fisher told the San Antonio Report, reflecting on the society's enduring mission.
As the Conservation Society looks ahead, their agenda remains expansive. Among the achievements laid out in celebration of the centennial was their role in initiating key partnerships, such as working alongside the Historic Westside Residents Association and the San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum. The combined strength of such collaborations is seen as crucial in keeping up with the rapidly growing city while maintaining San Antonio's charming character for future generations. The efforts recognized by the society are also seen through their recent initiatives, encouraging public participation and philanthropy to continue the legacy ignited a hundred years ago, as per their invitation detailed by the Express News.
