Open Forum

There is a historic house in Dallas that has been preserved, owned and managed by a non-museum non-profit organization for many years.  The house's architecture as been preserved, so that it still fits well in the context of its neighborhood.  It is basically a rental venue, with occasional other programs and uses.  Recently it has come under fire from neighbors who do not like its use for wedding parties, and the related issues of parking, noise, etc.  The non-profit is seeking similar types of venues so that they can study better ways to preserve this house, and still earn enough revenue to support it.  Can you all please suggest other places that they might study with the following criteria:

• historic house located in residential neighborhood;
• used primarily as event venue, but might have other programming;
• owned/managed by nonprofit group; 
• could have "friends" membership support group;
• could have endowment to help sustain operations.

Thanks for your help!

------------------------------
Gary Smith
Adjunct Professor Museum Studies
Baylor University
Waxahachie TX
------------------------------

Hi Gary,

There is a similar house here in Farmville, Virginia.

it is an historical mansion that acts as a bed and breakfast for Longwood University. They also have special events like cocktails parties and some weddings.

They have a small parking lot behind their building. The town does not allow non-residential parking in front of the B&B. They tow people if they don't have a residential sticker on their car.

It is in a residential area near the college, mostly single family units with some historic homes turned apartments for students. It has the financial backing and muscle of Longwood which is different than the house your speaking of (I know the house being from Dallas) so it does not have a risk of closing any time soon. 

I hope this helps a bit. 

Personal note, please give my love to Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Caston!

------------------------------
Jennifer Bates
Exhibitions Manager
Longwood Center for the Visual Arts
Farmville VA

Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2015 09:22 AM
From: Gary Smith
Subject: Historic House

There is a historic house in Dallas that has been preserved, owned and managed by a non-museum non-profit organization for many years.  The house's architecture as been preserved, so that it still fits well in the context of its neighborhood.  It is basically a rental venue, with occasional other programs and uses.  Recently it has come under fire from neighbors who do not like its use for wedding parties, and the related issues of parking, noise, etc.  The non-profit is seeking similar types of venues so that they can study better ways to preserve this house, and still earn enough revenue to support it.  Can you all please suggest other places that they might study with the following criteria:

• historic house located in residential neighborhood;


• used primarily as event venue, but might have other programming;


• owned/managed by nonprofit group; 


• could have "friends" membership support group;


• could have endowment to help sustain operations.

Thanks for your help!

------------------------------
Gary Smith
Adjunct Professor Museum Studies
Baylor University
Waxahachie TX
------------------------------