On behalf of the Linden Heritage Foundation, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of our recent event, “Downtown Linden Live – Music on Main Street.”  To have over 100 people of all ages show up in July heat is amazing!

The response to our third event exemplifies the spirit of optimism that is in the air and that the citizens and friends of Linden support opportunities to gather in our beautiful, historic downtown, socialize, and listen to live music.

Judging by the popularity of “Downtown Linden Live,” we plan to host more events in the future, so check our Facebook page or website, www.lindenheritagefoundation.org for news.

Better yet, join us in our mission to preserve the architecture and cultural heritage of Linden by becoming a member (info on website) and joining one of our committees.  We take our charge very seriously, but we also have fun!  Since its inception, our group has secured a place for the 1939 Firehouse on Preservation Texas’ 2016 List of Most Endangered Places and obtained competitive grant funding from Texas’ prestigious Preservation Trust Fund toward professional planning work on the Firehouse restoration.  We have much work ahead of us, and we need your help.

Many thanks to the following individuals who donated time and talents for our event:  Johnny and Janet Points, Phil Cox, and friends for sharing their musical gifts; Bob Swisher, city manager, for logistical support, and Ben Wood of The Cass County Sun for publicity and photos.

Several individuals performed special songs with the band including Jerry Arnold, Cathy Cox, Jim Barron, Brett Peek and John Knapp.  Johnny played in Mickey Gilley’s band at Gilley’s in Pasadena before it burned. Later he played with Loretta Lynn.  Johnny and Janet play with another group of musicians on Tuesday night at Don Juan’s Mexican Restaurant in Hughes Springs from 6:00 to 8:00.  They accept no pay for this but have blue donation buckets around and all donations go to St Jude’s Hospital for which the band as raised over $40,000.00.

The band includes – Johnny Points – keyboard and vocals -Janet Points – vocals – Phil Cox – lead guitar – Donnie Lowry – drums – Randee Turner – bass guitar – Scott Venable – rhythm guitar – Janice Turner and Vickie Carver –  vocals..

Again, please consider becoming a member of the Linden Heritage Foundation—we need you!  A quote from William Murtagh, first keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, best sums up our mission:

“It has been said that, at its best, preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future.”  God bless and here’s to the future of Linden!

Sandra Westbrook Skoog

Linden Heritage Foundation

Vice President for Marketing and Development

sandra.skoog@lindenheritage.org

 

Additional artwork was recently added to the old Linden Ice House and Sweet Shop at the corner of Houston and Smithland.  Recall an earlier posted article on this website –“Linden’s Ice Co. and Sweet Shop: Frozen in Time”– for a full history of the building.  Chad Buice—a schoolteacher, artist, and musician living near Atlanta, Georgia—has recently returned to Linden to complete his work.  Photos follow.

 

2018 PRESERVATION TEXAS SUMMIT
Nacogdoches, Texas – Wednesday, August 8th thru Friday, August 10th

As a person interested in preserving the Architectural and Cultural Heritage of Linden, great presentations are lined up for you at Preservation Texas’ 2018 East Texas Regional Meeting in Nacogdoches!

For more information including registration and Summit schedule, and the line-up of speakers and tours focusing on small town heritage issues, see http://www.preservationtexas.org/etxmeeting/.

It is a relatively short drive to Nacogdoches and well worth your time to learn from the experts on a range of preservation issues relevant to ongoing efforts of the Linden Heritage Foundation http://lindenheritage.org/.

Full registration for the three-day event is just $100 for members and $125 for prospective new members (includes a one-year personal membership). Day passes for the tour on August 8th ($60/$75) and the educational sessions on August 9th ($50/$65) are available as well.

Register online at https://pt.z2systems.com/np/clients/pt/eventRegistration.jsp?event=631& .

Participants are invited to stay at the recently rehabilitated Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches, a midcentury modern landmark in downtown Nacogdoches located within walking distance of all venues, where a reduced room rate of $109 is available.  Reservations can be made by calling the hotel at 936-564-1234.  Note that the tours on August 8th and August 10th will begin and end at the Fredonia Hotel.

The Linden Heritage Foundation

presents

Downtown Linden Live — “Music on Main Street”  

Johnny & Janet Points, Phil Cox And Friends

Friday, July 13, 2018

6 P.M. — UNTIL?

109 N. Main Street, Linden

Bring Your Lawn Chairs and the Whole Family.

Stay to Dine Downtown!

www.lindenheritage.org

AUSTIN, Texas—The Texas Historical Foundation, a 64-year old preservation organization, has announced a grant to the Linden Heritage Foundation.  THF board member Hank Seale recently presented the check to LHF President Joe Lovelace.

Established 2015, the Linden Heritage Foundation is the only nonprofit organization in Cass County for the protection and promotion of cultural resources and the adaptive use of local historic sites as tools for cultural enrichment and economic development. The donation will provide funds to assist in professional preservation planning services to restore the 1939 Linden Firehouse in a way that retains the structure’s National Register of Historic Places eligibility.

The Linden Heritage Foundation is working with Mark Thacker, AIA, who is preparing Plans & Specifications (P&S) for rehabilitation of the Old Linden Firehouse to a Period of Significance 1939-1961.

Lovelace said, “A unique fact about the Old Linden Firehouse is that it did the most of any other structure during its life of service to protect the other heritage assets of the town of Linden – and to answer calls to other cities in our region.”

Final P&S must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and be approved by the Texas Historical Commission, a primary grant funder.

THF President Bruce Elsom said, “The Texas Historical Foundation is committed to preserving and protecting Texas history, and we understand that resources are particularly scarce in small communities. That makes THF especially proud to partner with this town of only 2,000 inhabitants to help save this important icon.”  

Since 1954, the Texas Historical Foundation has supported preservation and education projects around the state. The group’s main efforts include its award-winning Texas HERITAGE magazine and a preservation grants program. For more information, or to join the Foundation, use the on-line membership form found on the organization’s website, www.texashistoricalfoundation.org.