Mesquite, Texas – Feb. 28, 2019 – Historic Mesquite, Inc. (HMI) board of directors and staff will welcome a prestigious group of preservationists April 10. The National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN) chose the North Texas area for its annual retreat.
“We are so thrilled to help host this event,” said Charlene Orr, HMI executive director. “I have attended these retreats for over 15 years, and I always wanted to bring one to Mesquite.”
NPPN, an outgrowth of the National Trust for Historic Places Partners program, is a national group of professionals who gather twice per year—once at a spring retreat and again at the National Trust’s annual fall conference. The theme for this year’s retreat is “Preservation North Texas Style: Boots on the Ground.” Last year, the group met in Cincinnati with 50 representatives from 24 states and territories.
Charlene says HMI staff looks forward to highlighting Mesquite. “We will have almost a full day in Mesquite to show peers some of the wonderful things about our community. I hope they can come in, enjoy themselves and give me some tips on making our preservation program more successful.”
Orr collaborated with David Preziosi of Preservation Dallas and Jerre Tracy of Historic Fort Worth, Inc., to submit an application to the NPPN. The group will assemble April 9 at Cambria Hotel in Dallas, a newly completed preservation project. The tour continues in Mesquite April 10 and in Fort Worth April 11. The guests will visit sites such as the Statler Hilton, Fair Park, the Stockyards and Thistle Hill. Mesquite highlights include the Mesquite Arts Center, Opal Lawrence Historical Park and a quick glimpse of downtown.
The mission of the NPPN is to advance the growth and effectiveness of the preservation movement through communication, education, training and a common advocacy agenda.
HMI, Preservation Dallas and Historic Fort Worth, Inc. seek sponsorships for the retreat and donations of small items for goodie bags. For more information on sponsorships or the retreat itself, call Charlene Orr at 972-216-6468.