Tulsa Preservation Commission

Tulsa Preservation Blog

News, announcements, links, thoughts and musings from TPC Staff.

Next Public Meeting, 2008 National Preservation Conference, June 19

Posted by Amanda DeCort on May 13, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

The final Local Advisory Committee meeting for the 2008 National Preservation Conference will be held on Thursday, June 19, 4:30 - 6:00pm, in the Manchester Room at the Doubletree Hotel Downtown, 616 W. 7th Street.

Anyone who is interested or in any way involved in the conference should make plans to attend! Representatives from the National Trust for Historic Preservation will be discussing conference program highlights, marketing, and volunteer opportunities.

If you plan to attend, please call (202) 588-6100 or email conference@nthp.org by Friday, June 13.

Free Lecture: "Taming the Teardown Trend," May 28

Posted by Amanda DeCort on May 9, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

Make plans to attend "Protecting America’s Historic Neighborhoods: Taming the Teardown Trend", Wednesday, May 28, 6:00pm, at the Harwelden Mansion, 2210 South Main in Tulsa.

Jim Lindberg, Director of Preservation Initiatives in the Mountain/Plains Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will describe the scope and impact of the teardown trend in America. Mr. Lindberg will explain the forces behind it and offer suggestions for how neighborhoods and communities can foster sustainable growth without sacrificing historic character.

Sponsored by Preservation Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, the Kirkpatrick Foundation, Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Historic Places Program, and co-sponsored by the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture and the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa.

This event is free and open to the public. For information and reservations, email info@preservok.org or call (918)583-5550.

Remembering Passenger Rail Service in Tulsa

Posted by Ed Sharrer on April 30, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

Thirty-seven years ago today — April 30, 1971 — the last passenger train serving Tulsa departed for Kansas City, leaving from the Santa Fe Depot on the southeast corner of 1st & Elgin. The next day, Amtrak began operations.

The Santa Fe Depot was built in 1915 as a freight depot. As early as the 1920s, it was commonly referred to as the "Frisco freight depot", since the Frisco and Santa Fe lines shared a passenger depot at Archer and Boston. In July 1959, Santa Fe officials moved their passenger train service from the Union Depot to the former freight depot. The Union Depot closed its doors on May 12, 1967 — 36 years to the day of its grand opening. The Santa Fe Depot continued passenger rail service for the next four years.

The next time you’re in the Blue Dome District downtown, stop by the Santa Fe Depot. A section of rails are still in place on the south side of the building.

Historic Window Contractors Wanted!

Posted by Amanda DeCort on April 29, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

Are you a contractor or craftsman who restores wooden or metal casement windows?

Please send us an email so we can add you to our list. The Tulsa Preservation Commission is frequently asked for assistance by owners of historic homes.

ReGreen Tulsa Replacing Trees in Neighborhoods

Posted by Amanda DeCort on April 28, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

The December 2007 ice storm destroyed or heavily damaged Tulsa’s beautiful tree canopy. The ReGreen Tulsa program is a joint effort of Mayor Kathy Taylor, Tulsa’s Tree Advisory Committee and the local non-profit organization Up With Trees, to reestablish our tree canopy.

The goal is to plant 20,000 trees by December 2010 on both private property and public sites. Many of Tulsa’s neighborhoods, including historic districts, will be the beneficiary of donated trees planted at no cost.

If you would like to get involved with the ReGreen Tulsa program, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/ReGreen.

First Gathering of Modern Tulsa, Thursday, May 8

Posted by Ed Sharrer on April 24, 2008    |  Link to this Entry  |  Email this Entry

Modern Tulsa is a volunteer endeavour focused on enhancing the appreciation of Tulsa’s 20th Century Modern Design and Pop-Culture Heritage. Operating as a committee of the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, Modern Tulsa aims to perpetuate Tulsa’s Modern Heritage via promotion, preservation and education.

Join Modern Tulsa for an evening of food, drink and design on Thursday, May 8, 7:00 - 9:00pm, at 6259 S. Jamestown Avenue. For more information, call 918-583-5550 or visit moderntulsa.net.