Discover

May is National Preservation Month and members of Historic Tyler Inc. hope you will participate by taking a few moments to have fun and learn more about your community.

The theme of the 2008 Preservation Month, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is “This Place Matters.”

Historic Tyler Inc — the local preservation organization whose mission is to promote the preservation and protection of historic structures and sites through education, involvement, and private and public investment — is hosting a photo contest to illustrate learning about history can be easy and fun.

“It’s our organization’s 14th year to sponsor this contest, and we want you to help us celebrate Tyler’s wonderful and diverse heritage by participating,” said Linda Ridder, executive director of Historic Tyler.

All over America, there’s hardly a city or town where houses and storefronts haven’t been “fixed up” with pride and Tyler is no exception, said Mrs. Ridder, adding, “We know that this place matters.”

Since the National Trust created Preserva-tion Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts in America, it has grown into an annual celebration observed by small towns and big cities with events ranging from architectural and historic tours to fundraising events and educational programs.

Due to soaring popularity, the National Trust extended the celebration over the entire month of May to celebrate the uniqueness of our country’s cities and states and enable more Americans to become involved in the growing preservation movement, said Mrs. Ritter.

As part of the photo contest, Historic Tyler board member Jack Peppard has snapped a series of photographs of historic structures throughout Tyler.

“We did it a little different this year,” he said. “Last year I did little bits and pieces of local architecture.”

This year, photos capture the entire structure, including one home that was built around the time of the Civil War.

“We tried to take pictures of homes that are mostly in the older districts,” Peppard said. “Some have architecture or details that are particularly unique.”

Participants are encouraged to take note of these historic resources and learn more about them.

Contest organizers hope the activity will educate and energize people’s knowledge and appreciation of Tyler’s history.

To enter the photo contest, identify each photograph by its current name or address and submit answers to Historic Tyler, Inc. Attention: Photo Contest, P.O. Box 6774, Tyler, 75711.

Answers may be sent by e-mail to historic@suddenlinkmail.com.

Entries must be submitted by no later than May 27.

The entry with the most correct answers will be awarded a family membership in Historic Tyler, Inc. and $50.

In case of ties, a drawing will be held to determine the winner.

Historic Tyler, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, was founded in 1977 with a mission “to promote the preservation and protection of historic structures and sites through education, involvement, and private and public investment.”

To learn more, visit www.historictyler.org or call 903-595-1960. Historic Tyler is located in the historic Fitzgerald House at 815 Broadway Ave.

With summer break on the horizon, make plans now to preserve historic places not only in Tyler, but in cities you might visit on a spring or summer vacation.

Here’s how:

Explore your family’s history. Show the kids the places where you went to school or where you got married. Take your parents to a place that’s important in your life.

Walk or bike. Getting out of your car allows you to appreciate the buildings and parks in your neighborhood. You’ll also have a chance to catch up with friends and neighbors.

Shop on Main Street. Traditional commercial districts have appealing buildings and intricate detailing on the upper floors. Locally-owned stores are vital parts of your community.

Tour your hometown. Visit a historic site in your area or stop by the local historical society, museum or historical home. Attend some street fairs, festivals or neighborhood tours.

Read all about it. Visit the library or historical society to review books written about local history, and many have more than one.

Surround yourself with history. Attend live performance or movie at a historic theater, or eat at a restaurant in an historic building. If you like the atmosphere, tell the owner or host.

Sleep in a historic place. Stay in a historic inns or Bed and Breakfast. Many of the best are members of the Trust’s Historic Hotels of America. There are several choices in Tyler.

Ask your neighbors about your neighborhood. Talk to people who’ve lived on your street longer than you have. Chat about their memories of the neighborhood and past residents.

Visit some sacred history. Churches are often among a community’s oldest and most beautiful buildings, and cemeteries reveal the fascinating lives those who came before.

Join an organization, perhaps more, dedicated to preservation. Become a member of the National Trust online, or find out about groups in your area.

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(Photo By Historic Tyler Board Member Jack Peppard)