From the Executive Director

Dear Members and Friends,

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the summer. In this issue, I'm delighted to report that House Bill 1555 is now Act 840 of 2021, which doubled the annual allocation for State Historic Tax Credits, extended the sunset, and provided support for personnel who administer the program. You'll also see updates on educational events, advocacy campaigns, the 2021 list of Arkansas's Most Endangered Places, Preserve Arkansas's Sustainer Circle, and the 40th anniversary of Preserve Arkansas.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Kind Regards,
Rachel Patton
Executive Director
Preservation Advocacy
Preserve Arkansas worked with our partners at the Quapaw Quarter Association and the Division of Arkansas Heritage to make much-needed improvements to the State Historic Tax Credit (HTC) during the 2021 Regular Session. The 93rd General Assembly unanimously passed HB1555 in both the House and Senate, sending it to Governor Hutchinson's desk where it was signed on April 22 and became Act 840 of 2021.

This legislation is the culmination of years of advocacy and represents the first increase in the annual State HTC cap since the program was created in 2009.

Act 840 will improve the State HTC by:
  • raising the yearly tax credit limit from $4 million to $8 million
  • extending the sunset from 2027 to 2037
  • allowing administrators to use fees collected to support the program.

We are extremely grateful for our lead bill sponsors, Rep. Joe Jett and Sen. Jonathan Dismang, our co-sponsors and partners, and the support of our members and friends in this effort. Thank you!
Gov. Asa Hutchinson holds Act 840 of 2021 with (left to right) Sen. Jonathan Dismang, Secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Stacy Hurst, Preserve Arkansas Director Rachel Patton, AHPP Federal Programs and Tax Credits Manager Tom Marr, Quapaw Quarter Association Director Patricia Blick, AHPP Director Scott Kaufman, and Dept. of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Chief of Legislative Affairs Leslie Fisken.
Preserve Arkansas announced the 2021 list of Arkansas's Most Endangered Places on May 5 in front of the Woodruff School in Little Rock, a property included on the 2017 Most Endangered list that is now being rehabilitated using historic tax credits to serve as apartments.

The "Threatened Three" were the Pike-Fletcher-Terry House, Little Rock, an imposing Greek Revival residence built in 1840 and the home of three notable Arkansas families that sits vacant and suffering from years of deferred maintenance; War Memorial Golf Course, Little Rock, the City’s oldest municipal golf course, now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, that faces uncertain development plans; and the Dr. Robert George Williams House, Parkdale (Ashley County), the Colonial Revival-style home of a prominent Ashley County physician and civic booster that is now overgrown and deteriorating.

Photos and additional information about 2021’s Most Endangered Places are available here. Learn more in coverage by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, KUAR, and KARK. Register for Preserve Arkansas Executive Director Rachel Patton's talk about the 2021 Most Endangered list on July 7 at noon as part of the CALS Roberts Library Legacies and Lunch series here.
During National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week, Arkansas's team of advocates urged our Congressional Delegation to support full funding for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which is authorized at $150M per fiscal year, and provides crucial funding for State Historic Preservation Offices throughout the country as well as competitive grant programs that preserve Historically Black Colleges and Universities, sites associated with the struggle for civil rights, and underrepresented and rural communities. Released on May 28, the Biden Administration's budget included $151.8M for the HPF - higher than the authorized funding level for the first time - signaling strong support for historic preservation in the future. The Arkansas team also advocated for temporary and permanent enhancements to the Federal Historic Tax Credit to address pandemic-related challenges, add value to the credit, and make it easier to complete small projects. HR2294, the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2021 (HTC-GO) was introduced on April 1 and is gaining bipartisan support. U.S. Congressmen French Hill (AR-2) and Bruce Westerman (AR-4) are co-sponsors of this legislation. Send them a quick thank you note by clicking their names above.
Celebrating 40 Years of Preserve Arkansas
On June 5, 2021, the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas - now known as Preserve Arkansas - turned 40! The organization was founded to save Arkansas's historic places and educate the public about the value of preserving our rich heritage for future generations. Articles of incorporation were signed by Bobby Roberts, Carl Miller, Jr., Kirby Smith, III, Parker Westbrook, and Charles Witsell.

Follow us on social media to see photos from the Preserve Arkansas files on "Throwback Thursday," and stay tuned for an announcement about our 40th anniversary celebration this fall!
In honor of our 40th anniversary this year, Preserve Arkansas established the "40 for 40" Sustainer Circle, with the goal of creating a 40-member group of dedicated preservationists who pledge to support our organization with donations of at least $1,000 each year. We are especially thankful for our Charter Members, listed below. We still have a few spots available to reach our goal of 40 - will you help us? If you're interested, please contact Rachel Patton at rpatton@preservearkansas.org or 501-372-4757.
40 for 40 Sustainer Circle
Charter Members
Ms. Christina Aleman and Mr. Adam Smith
Ted and Leslie Belden
Jim and Kathy Boyette
Gary and Ann Clements
Courtney Crouch, Jr. and Brenda Crouch
Courtney and Amber Crouch
Fred Dietrich, D.D.S.
Paul Dodds
John C. Edwards
John and Marjem Gill
Dr. Ethel Goodstein and David Murphree
John and Tricia Greer
Gabe and Katherine Holmstrom
Stacy and Howard Hurst
Tommy and Christy Jameson
Scott and Amber Jones
Jill Judy and Mark Brown
Bob Kempkes and Mary Matthews
Tim and Cyndi Maddox
The Honorable Pat and Mrs. Ellen McCabe
Frances McSwain and Ray Wittenberg
Carl H. Miller, Jr.
John K. Mott, FAIA
Jack Moyer and Elise Roenigk
Mark and Cheri Nichols
Emily Jordan Robertson
Aaron and Veronica Ruby
David, Rayman, and Lafe Solomon
Bart and Alix Stafford
Mark Stodola
Anthony Taylor and Michelle Strause
Ross Toyne
Dr. Charles and Mandy Welch
Ms. Laura Ann Winning
Darby and Amiee York
Sustainer Circle Garden Party, May 2021. Pictured left to right: Rep. Tippi McCullough, Rep. Denise Ennett, Rep. Andrew Collins, Quapaw Quarter Association Director Patricia Blick, Preserve Arkansas Director Rachel Patton, Downtown Little Rock Partnership Director Gabe Holmstrom, Secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Stacy Hurst, and Sen. Jonathan Dismang.
Preservation Education
Dollars & Sense

Preserve Arkansas hosted a Dollars & Sense of Historic Preservation workshop on May 27 at the Events Center at Fairview Park in Camden. The program, which is designed to emphasize the economic potential of historic building rehabilitation and provide tools and information for participants, featured presentations about the National Register, grants, historic tax credits, Main Street Arkansas, Opportunity Zones, local resources, and more.
Women in Preservation
The "Women in Preservation" virtual speaker series features women from a variety of backgrounds who are working to save Arkansas's historic places. The series continues on July 13 at 3:30 p.m. with Dr. Ruth Hawkins and Paula Miles. Dr. Hawkins, director emeritus of Arkansas State University Heritage Sites, led restoration and development of the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum, Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, Historic Dyess Colony, Southern Tenant Farmers Museum, Lakeport Plantation, and Historic Kays House. Ms. Miles worked alongside Hawkins for 32 years and retired in 2020 as assistant director of ASU Heritage Sites. Register here for the webinar. Women in Preservation is generously supported by DEMX Architecture.
Virtual Mid Mod Arkansas
Preserve Arkansas will feature four El Dorado homes on its next virtual “Mid Mod Arkansas” tour. Tour videos will premiere on Facebook and YouTube on September 21 and 23 at 6:00 p.m. The first video, appearing on September 21, will include the Henley and Riley houses designed in 1960 by celebrated Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones, who spent most of his childhood living in El Dorado. The second video, appearing on September 23, will highlight the Gillham-Wilson and Clark houses designed in 1957 and 1960, respectively, by Charles Ripley. Stay tuned for more info!
Volunteer for Block on Rock!
The Stone's Throw Brewing Block on Rock Birthday Bash returns on July 31. Join us from 4 to 10 p.m. for local brews, food trucks, and live music in the 700-800 blocks of Rock Street in Little Rock's MacArthur Park Historic District. Proceeds benefit Preserve Arkansas. We need volunteers to staff entry gates! Sign up for a 2-hour shift here.
Need some preservation flair?
We have new t-shirts! Our "Love Where You Live" shirts were designed by Little Rock artist Layet Johnson. The design is printed on Comfort Colors 100% ring spun cotton shirts in sizes small to 2XL. Shirts are $25 ($27 for 2XL) and available on our website.
Pictured above: T-shirt art by Little Rock artist Layet Johnson.
Thank you to our Capital Partners!
Preserve Arkansas is the only statewide nonprofit advocate for the preservation of Arkansas's historic and cultural resources. Our organization works to build stronger communities by reconnecting Arkansans to our heritage and empowering people to save and rehabilitate historic places. Become a member today!