Posted Friday, August 25, 2006
2005-2006 Highlights of OIRF
Executive Director, John Giuliano provides a summary of OIRF highlights from the 2005-2006 season.
A lot has been happening since our Annual Member meeting last April. Here is a brief overview to bring you up to date on how your Foundation has been working to preserve the architecture and heritage of Key West by providing programming and grant funding to eligible nonprofits and individuals while restoring, preserving, and managing the Foundation Collection, the Oldest House Museum & Gardens and the Mallory Square Museum.
In April we thanked Fran Marchbank for her dedicated service as Executive Director as she transitioned back to the Board of Directors while we welcomed John C. Giuliano as the new E.D. John’s 20 years of experience as a non-profit administrator and fundraiser has been a great asset to the Foundation.
Also elected to the Board of Directors at the last annual meeting, were: Bill Brown, George Born, John McCall, Paula Newhouse and Emily Riley. David Salay was elected to a second term. They joined current members: Michel Appellis, Woody Cornell, John Eicher, Julie Garber, Dick Moody, and Dave Swezey.
Serving as Foundation Officers this year were Paul Rothaus, President; Diane Brady Rhoades, Vice President; Roy Hogberg, Secretary, and John Coutret, Treasurer. The Board leadership and members did a wonderful job during an extremely hectic and busy year.
Four hurricanes later, both museums in the Foundation’s care have undergone continuous repairs and restoration work. Both museums were hurricane proofed at the beginning of the season resulting in greatly reduced damages to both buildings.
At the Oldest House Museum & Gardens fallen trees and debris were removed; roofs and ceilings were fixed; the white picket fence surrounding the property was righted, fixed, power-washed and painted; all of the Garden Buildings were also washed and repainted; all of the meandering brick pathways were power-washed, and new foliage was planted. This was in addition to the improvements to the Garden restrooms and other structures which were completed earlier in the summer and the entire site has been the location for many weddings and events since the storms and it is looking marvelous. Additional repairs and restoration projects continue at the Oldest House Museum, including the stabilization of the building foundation and repairs to the ship model room.
The Oldest House Museum continues to operate thanks to our staff of volunteer and paid docents: Ruth Munder with 32 years of service, George DeCoster - 20 years, Audrey Kessler -17 years, John Gallagher - 7 years, and our newest member of the team Allan Ferguson. We are in need of additional staffing at the museum, so please contact the office if you are interested in helping out.
The projects to restore the Mallory Square Museum were begun and put on hold due to damage from Hurricane Wilma to that building’s foundation and the subsequent dealings with the insurance company. When restoration is complete, the former 1889 Mallory Steamship Ticket Office building will reopen to present the history of Mallory Square and Key West’s maritime life. The Museum and grounds with views of Mallory Square and the Gulf of Mexico will also be available for private rentals as is the Oldest House Museum & Gardens.
On the programming front, this year’s Historic Preservation Grant Awardees, thus far are AME Bethel Church - Bell Tower Project, Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys, Inc. – Two Residential Projects.
Also, the Nancy Ordway Jameson Scholarship was awarded to Key West High School graduating senior George Peterson and students are preparing applications for this year’s award.
The Foundation also produced a rescheduled Fantasy Fest Fundraising Viewing Party at the Oldest House Museum & Gardens this Saturday, December 10th. This annual buffet dinner, open bar and the best parade viewing on Duval Street raised significant income from attendees and due to our neighbor the Grand Café donating much of the catering expenses.
The 46th Annual Key West House and Garden Tours kicked-off with the Holiday Tours December 29th & 30th. The addition of a holiday gift bonus house offered glimpses of six wonderful private homes. Two Tours per month followed from January through March and the annual Tours concluded with a wonderful docent thank you party in the Gardens of the Oldest House Museum. The Tours grossed $96,140.00 this year. $93,145 was last year’s gross amount raised. Thanks again to Woody Cornell, Paula Newhouse and all of the volunteers!
The 44th Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest was held at the newly rebuilt sunset pier at Ocean Key Resort & Spa. There was record breaking participation and trophies and ribbons were awarded to all winners and participants.
Foundation publications, Old Island Days Brochure and the Pelican Path Self Guided Tour of Historic Key West, were produced and are continuously distributed around the island and sent upon request throughout the world.
Membership renewals and letters to prospective members have been sent out and the response has been amazing. New giving levels and benefits have been established and all members receive an acknowledgement letter and membership card.
Old Island Restoration Foundation
The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization and raises funds through the production of the Annual House & Garden Tours and fundraising events; by offering memberships; and soliciting donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and governments.
