San Antonio Conservation Society

The San Antonio Conservation Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the historic, cultural, and natural heritage of San Antonio, Texas. Founded on March 22, 1924, by artists Rena Maverick Green and Emily Edwards, the Society was established to save the 1859 Market House and protect the city's cultural heritage[2][3].

Purpose

The Society's primary purpose is historic preservation, focusing on protecting buildings, waterways, parks, and intangible heritage of San Antonio. This includes educating the public about the city's history and advocating for the preservation of its architectural, natural, and cultural landmarks[1][2].

Achievements

Over its nearly 100-year history, the Society has achieved numerous significant milestones:

• Historic Landmarks Preservation: The Society has saved several downtown landmarks such as the Rand Building, Maverick Building, Casa Navarro, the Aztec Theater, and the Fairmount Hotel. It has also protected properties in La Villita Historic District and the King William Historic District[1][2].
• San José Mission and National Historical Park: The Society played a crucial role in establishing a state park at San José Mission with the Catholic Church in 1941. Later, it contributed to the creation of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in 1978 and the UNESCO World Heritage nomination of the San Antonio Missions in 2006, which led to their inscription in 2015[1][2].
• Public Education: The Society offers free school tours for over 3,000 fourth graders annually to historic sites like Missions San José and Concepción[4].

Organizational Structure

The Society operates with a governance structure that includes a president elected for a one-year term, a Board of Directors, and over 30 committees. It is supported by its members and various fundraising events, including "A Night In Old San Antonio" (NIOSA)[1].

Sister Organization

The San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation is a 501(c)(3) sister organization that supports the Society's mission through tax-deductible contributions[1].

[1] https://cdn.saffire.com/files.ashx?t=fg&rid=NIOSA&f=Conservation_Society_Fact_Sheet_Oct_2017.pdf [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_Conservation_Society [3] https://www.saconservation.org/who-we-are-2/milestones/ [4] https://www.saconservation.org/what-we-do/ [5] https://www.saconservation.org