Perfect Timing!
The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables is honored by the City of Coral Gables during National Preservation Month 2023

A.-5. 23-5800 Presentation of a Certificate of Recognition to the
Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables

“It was gratifying to highlight the major issues and projects directly attributed to HPACG’s efforts and advocacy during National Preservation Month,” Karelia Martinez Carbonell, president.

To see images from the ceremony and the certificate please visit https://mailchi.mp/6aaa635d524a/your-gift-means-everything-9343007

Established in 1991, HPACG joins the ranks of the 30-something:
mature, yet youthful. With a solid past and an eye to the future, the group continues its mission of promoting the importance of historic resources and their preservation.

For its young age, HPACG has achieved outstanding success in historic preservation efforts. In carrying out its mission, the HPACG has effectively communicated the value of historic preservation to its membership. Through its promotional activities, HPACG has exhibited leadership in issues of importance to historic preservation, and has established itself as one of the leaders in statewide preservation advocacy.

Taking an active part

The organization has taken an active role in partnering with the City’s historic preservation efforts. Members of the HPACG have been active in supporting applicants for Special Certificates of Appropriateness and Determination of Historic Designation. Moreover, the HPACG disseminates information of the local tax incentives available to owners of historic properties.

A former HPACG board member and past architectural historian for the National Register of Historic Places, observes, “Without reservation, it is highly apparent that the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables has demonstrated superlative achievement in the field of preservation and has espoused the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s ideal to save America’s historic places. The focus of HPACG, throughout its existence, is indicative of its desire to protect properties that convey special sense of time and place.”

Promoting the understanding and importance of historic resources and their preservation. Below are the many milestones attained throughout the years.

1991—The Historic Homeowners Association of Coral Gables is founded
2008—Name changes to the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables
2011—Members of the Board spearhead the
1926 White Way Lights project
2013—Establishes as a Florida State Certified 501c3

2014—Creates George Giving Society [annual giving campaign]
2014—Rebrands
● Launch of New Logo
● Redesign of website
● Creates a Membership Brochure
● Adds social media presence on Facebook [To Date over 1150 Followers]

2015—Creates Award “Friend of HPACG”
2016—Funds and Dedicates the White Way Light Historical Marker

2017—The Board organizes the “LOVE YOUR LANDMARK” CAMPAIGN in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation
2017—Funds and Dedicates the Coral Gables Bridle Path and Riding Academy Historical Marker
2017—Launches “Destination Series” with event at Mar-a-lago, Palm Beach,

2018—Succeeds in funding effort. The City of Coral Gables to fully fund the restoration of the 1926 White Way Lights project.                       The budget is set at $1 Million
2018—Archeological Find! WWL Discovery in Ft Lauderdale Next steps: Working to Reclaim 10 original WWL
2018—Gets national attention in National Trust’s “Preservation” magazine for its efforts to save the historic “La Salle” building. NTHP identifies the historic resource as THREATENED.

2019—Loses fight to save “La Salle” a significant building in Coral Gables history—birthplace of the City
2019—Hosts the first Brutalist Architecture Conference “Beauty & the Brute” in Coral Gables at the University of Miami. Panelists were top names in fields of preservation and architecture.
2019—Hosts, organizes, and guides full day field study for the Association of Preservation Technology
2019—Partners with the City to return restored Arcadian “White Way” lampposts to their original site ar the Coral Gables Country Club

2019 – Launches the Coral Gables Tertulia as a cultural and educational endeavor to present interesting and educational topics that promote the understanding and importance of historic resources and their preservation via a friendly exchange of ideas and information.

2020—Lands on the cover of local publication Gables Living
2020—Successfully nominates the MacFarlane Historic District to the Florida Trust “11 to Save” List
2020—Nominee for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Trustee Organizational Award

2021—Inaugurates “June 3rd Founder’s Day” in recognition of the birth anniversary of George E. Merrick
2021—Partners with the National Traditional Building Conference held at the Biltmore Hotel to organize and lead architectural tours of residential and commercial historic districts in Coral Gables

2022—Celebrates National Preservation Month 2022 by hosting “Preserving Our Patrimony. Preserving Our Planet” — a symposium with National Trust speaker that brought intellectual rigor to the merging of the preservation and environmental movements.
2022—Successfully creates George Merrick’s shadowbox with the Founder’s “Isabel la Catolica” medal that hangs at City Hall.

2022 – Recognizing that the greenest buildings and products are the ones that already exist, launches the Coral Gables Bazaar as a cultural and environmental endeavor to recycle, reuse, repurpose and upcycle treasures of yesteryear.

2023—Receives City of Coral Gables Certificate of Recognition
Ongoing— Continues to support and play an active role in partnering with the City’s historic preservation efforts.

LET’S CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE for preservation of our cultural patrimony and preservation of our planet

HOW?

(1) DUES. Join or Renew http://historiccoralgables.org/join-us/
(2) DONATE. Any amount is appreciated. Donors who contribute $250 or more will be recognized in the George Giving Society. https://www.historiccoralgables.org/donate/

Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor.

YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING. 100%

With your help…HPACG will continue to advance its mission of preservation—in our community and beyond.

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Founded in 1991, Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables (HPACG) is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to promote the understanding and importance of historic resources and their preservation. Want to get to know us better? Please visit our website at www.historiccoralgables.org