Around the Courthouse Square: Historic Preservation and Economic Development
Join us November 20–21 for the 3rd Annual Duda Forum on Historic Preservation and Sustainable Development—a deep dive into Texas’s iconic historic courthouses. These landmarks anchor communities across the state, but decades of wear and limited upkeep have put them at risk.
Thanks to the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, more than 100 courthouses have been saved through $400 million in grants. This year’s Forum celebrates those successes while tackling the challenges of keeping these buildings vibrant for future generations.
The event kicks off on November 20 with an evening reception and keynote address at the Travis County Probate Courthouse in Austin by Brantley Hightower, who will focus on his book The Courthouses of Central Texas. The following day will feature a full day of sessions at the Comal County Courthouse in New Braunfels, featuring: Comal County Courthouse Story, Texas Courthouse Preservation Program, and panels to include Historic Importance and Preservation of Courthouses, Technical Challenges with Courthouse Restoration, and Community Impact of Courthouses. After the sessions will be a tour of the Comal County Courthouse. Speakers include preservation professionals, architects, contractors, and elected officials.
The Event Registration is $25
Speakers
Comal County Courthouse Story
Judge Sherman Krause, Comal County
Tere O'Connell, O'Connell Architecture
Texas Courthouse Preservation Program
Susan Tietz, Texas Historic Commission
Historic Importance and Preservation of Courthouses Panel
Judge Jerry Bearden, Mason County
Alexis McKinney, Architexas
Michael van Enter, van Enter Studios
Technical Challenges with Courthouse Restoration Panel
Judge J.D. Clark, Wise County
Jack Pyburn, Lord Aeck Sargent
Dale Sellers, Phoenix I Restoration & Construction
Community Impact of Courthouses Panel
Josie Falletta, San Marcos Main Street
Rush Harris, Marshall Economic Development
Chris Moore, Texas Main Street Program
Tour of Comal County Courthouse
Tere O'Connell, O'Connell Architecture
