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Historic Preservation
Historic preservation
is a primary cornerstone in the development of the Chisholm Trail Heritage
Museum and community facilities. According to the Texas Historical Commission,
"Historic preservation is an economic engine
for the State of Texas that creates jobs, fosters cultural tourism,
instills community pride, stabilizes and increases property values,
and contributes a sense identity to our towns, cities and rural areas."
In June 2002, the Board of Directors of the Museum purchased the
Knights of Pythias Hall, Jewel Lodge, No. 103.
Constructed in 1903, the Hall is a two-story, 10,000 square foot
Romanesque Revival brick building that served the meeting and ceremonial
needs of the Knights of Pythias organization, a fraternal, charitable
group of Cuero citizens that were awarded a local charter in 1889.
The recipient of the 3.5% architect's fee for the design
of Jewel Lodge, James Wahrenberger, was a renowned architect
of his time and the first Texas architect with a professional
architecture degree. Born on August 9, 1855 in Austin, Texas,
Wahrenberger was the only son of John and Caroline (Klein) Wahrenberger.
His father, a native of Switzerland, had immigrated to Texas in
1836 and settled in Austin. After attending a Philadelphia preparatory
school, he studied mathematics in Zurich, Switzerland. Later in Karlsruhe,
Germany, he studied architecture at the Polytechnic for three years,
graduating in 1876. Within a year he had married Johanna Sequin, a
Swiss native, then returned to Austin in 1878.
The Knights of Pythias Hall contains approximately 10,000 square
feet divided between two floors. The Board of Directors determined
that the permanent collection and displays of the Museum will be
housed on the ground floor of the building, while the second floor
will rehabilitated to serve as multi-purpose community facilities
which will accomodate lectures, receptions, children's summer camp
programs, small conferences, meetings, and other cultural, recreational and
educational activites.
In 2003, renowned preservation architect David Hoffman was hired to
create a comprehensive plan for the restoration and rehabilitation of
the former Knights of Pythias building. In 2004, Hoffman presented
the Directors his completed Restoration Master Plan — divided
into seven-phases, the restoration plans includes: a historical
narrative of the Knights of Pythias organization and the construction
of their "Castle Hall" at 302 North Esplanade in Cuero; a development
philosophy; adaptive use feasibility; analysis of existing conditions;
recommendations for phased development; and cost estimates. Implementation
of the seven-phase Restoration Master Plan began in 2005 and both Phase
One and Phase Two were completed in 2006. Phase Four was completed in 2007.
While historic preservation provides the obvious benefits of rebuilding
communities, improving property values and the creation of jobs, we feel
that our preservation project will also attract heritage tourists and
restore economic vitality to our community's historic downtown district.
Kit Newman, former coordinator of Museum Services for the THC and a Texas
HELP consultant stated, "Many small museums in Texas are as professional
as larger institutions and provide equally beneficial educational opportunities
for their communities. In addition to attracting tourists, these small
museums generate interest in other areas of historic preservation."
One of the primary goals of the CTHM will be achieved with the complete
restoration of this handsome turn-of-the-century structure and will help
to reverse the post-WWII trend of destroying our rich architectural past.
"Texans are proud of the rich and diverse heritage of our great
state and are committed to the continued economic growth that is a
vital part of that heritage. Texans are also learning that historic
preservation is not an alternative to economic growth, but a key
component of it."
The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum played a leading role in Cuero's designation as a Preserve America Community in 2004. When awarded this distinguished designation at the annual Texas Historical Commission preservation conference in Fort Worth, Cuero was honored as one of the first 80 such designations in the nation. The goals and objectives of the CTHM support the ideals and principles of Preserve America by protecting and celebrating our heritage; using one of Cuero's historic assets for economic development and community revitalization; and encouraging local citizens and visitors like to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.
The Preserve America Initiative:
"Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities."
To support the Preserve America initiative, the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, and Transportation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, have identified several of their grant programs that may be used to support heritage tourism and community revitalization projects compatible with Preserve America goals."
The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum (CTHM), Preserve America and the Economic Development Administration (EDA)
In 2005, the CTHM was awarded matching funds by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for an "Economic Impact Analysis & Feasibility Study." Full implementation of this project will yield a fresh, vibrant appearance to a once-decaying downtown historic district. Development of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum has attracted other local, state, and federal organizations -- both the National Trust of Historic Preservation and Texas Historical Foundation have awarded planning grants (for architectural planning and construction documents), while the Texas Preservation Trust Fund and Cuero Economic Development Corporation have awarded bricks & mortar funding for mitigation of building endangerment issues and façade restoration.
Implementation of Strategies
"Preserve America promotes the principle that historic preservation and natural resource conservation can be great catalysts for community and citizen empowerment, and our cultural and natural heritage assets can provide the spark and focus for economic development, community pride, and public service." In June 2002, our organization purchased the historic (c. 1903) Knights of Pythias Hall, ideally situated on Cuero's main north / south thoroughfare (US Highways 183, 87 & 77A). The building, listed on the National Register in 1988, is a contributing structure to Cuero's National Register "Downtown Historic Commercial District."
"Preserve America advocates grassroots effort, local collaboration, and the appropriate balancing of conflicting interests." Approximately two-thirds of the building and adjacent property costs were paid with funds derived from board members and individual citizens. A regional private foundation and the Cuero Economic Development Corporation provided the remaining one-third of the cost, enabling the organization to realize full ownership in 18 months. A support membership organization was created in 2002, and in 2006-07 the organization was supported by approximately 308 members, including many local businesses.
"Public-private partnerships are also strongly encouraged." On several occasions, the Museum organization has provided a leadership role in partnering with the Cuero Heritage Museum, DeWitt County Farm Bureau, Cuero Cultural & Heritage Foundation, Cuero Public Library and local Chamber of Commerce to bring exhibits and humanities speakers to Cuero. These programs were funded in part by the Summerlee Foundation in Dallas and Humanities Texas, a state-partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
"Preserve America is intended to help educate citizens about the benefits of heritage preservation and encourage creative partnerships that successfully overcome obstacles or conflicts about competing public interests, but it will not mandate any particular approach to these issues." The mission of the CTHM is, "to preserve the ranching and western heritage of South Central Texas through interpretive exhibits, research and educational programs." In addition, the museum will interpret an important era in Texas' rich ranching legacy and its contributions to American nation-building after the Civil War.
Cuero was designated a Preserve America Community in 2004, one of the first of 80 designations in the nation. The CTHM project advances the principle that each investment dollar should reap multiple benefits; thus, dollars applied to building restoration will create jobs, initiate downtown revitalization, contribute to establishing a cultural & educational institution, and in the long-term, add to the economic well-being of the community and region.
Economic and Community Impact
"Tourism is a major national industry and heritage tourism is fast becoming a significant part of local and regional economies." The CTHM, with professional, well-executed exhibits on local and regional history and the world-class Tinker Collection, will have a "beacon effect," attracting heritage tourism and stimulating the local economy by adding incentive for visitors to consider Cuero as a destination location, staying longer and spending more in our shops and restaurants. Cuero is located on the new national historic trail, "El Camino Real de los Tejas" and within the Texas Independence Trail Region, a component of the Texas Historical Commission's award-winning heritage trails program (a recipient of a Preserve America Presidential Award in 2005). When complete, the Museum will play an important role in attracting heritage tourists to South Central Texas.
"Preserve America is intended to stir interest in learning about our Nation's heritage, recognize and support ongoing local preservation efforts, and encourage people to take advantage of the great cultural and natural assets of our country to improve economic health and quality of life in our communities." The adaptive re-use of the historic Knights of Pythias Hall for the purpose of establishing the Museum and multi-purpose community facilities provides a unique model for communities that wish to preserve quality of life through the preservation of architectural assets and increase learning opportunities for local/regional heritage. The rehabilitation of multi-use facilities on the second floor will provide space for meetings, receptions, lectures, traveling exhibits, children's summer camps and small conferences — expanding opportunities for the overall economic health of our community.
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