Farewell from David Bowers, GHF President, 2009-2010

There is so much exciting History in this town that they are writing about it before it even happens!

The Galveston Historical Foundation is the oldest historical society in the State of Texas. As we gather on an annual basis to elect and install our leadership for the next year we do this in the reaffirmation of our mission statement, which is and please join with me:

Galveston Historical Foundation preserves and revitalizes the architectural, cultural and maritime heritage of Galveston Island for the enjoyment and enrichment of all.

As we began this fiscal year last July, we, as individuals and as a City, were in the recovery mode from the most horrific hurricane since the 1900 storm. As an organization, the board of directors and the Steering Committee and staff, continued events that have been the hallmark of GHF.

The 2008 hurricane had one significant aspect on our long range planning for GHF. It forced us to look anew at all of our programs. It allowed us, in these unusual of circumstances, to plan and strategize where we wanted to be in 5 or 10 years. We held several task forces and from the needs of the organization we have forged the preliminary steps for a very ambitious and thoroughly comprehensive capital campaign. The Board, Steering and Staff have quantified financial needs that will set the foundation on a sturdy and strategic basis for future growth.

We took on the green initiative and have made great strides into giving back to Galveston the resources to use green technology in the restoration and reuse of our architectural heritage. This will be one of the most important legacies our leadership leaves for future generations.

Several classes were held in the Spring and we are now having classes this summer highlighting green technology. To put all this green stuff to good use we have the Green Revival house at 3101 Q, a real show stopper for this past Homes Tour. You will recall we moved this 1000 sq ft home from its original site on the 2100 block of M 1/2.

This past September we had our first 5K race through the downtown and historical neighborhoods. It was a wet and rainy race, ideal for joggers!

Over 950 people ran or walked and it was over in less than two hours and we had risen close to $50,000. The Mostyn Law Firm is our much appreciated sponsor for this event and the 2nd annual race will be on Saturday, September 11th.

Another milestone this year was taking title of the 1861 Custom House, our headquarters. It is always nice to own your own home we negotiated an offer, wired the money and I personally recorded the deed. This needed

congressional approval and signature from the President. I want to thank

Congressman Paul's office and the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for their advice and influence.

The annual Day Sails were exciting this year and we also had new sails made by Jim Brink. The new sails take up to 12,000 square feet. The Elissa, the official Tall Ship of Texas continued its Elissa Youth Seamanship Program. GHF acquired the ship in 1975 and had her setting sail again on July 4, 1982. She had last sailed from Galveston September 26, 1886 after delivering unknown cargo to Galveston.

We continue to be in negotiations as to purchase of the Bishop's Palace.

Her honor, Lydia Ann Thomas, spoke at a very successful fundraiser at the Gresham House.

We continue to work with FEMA at the Port of Galveston on restoring the pier and bulkhead at Pier 21. FEMA is continuing work at the Custom House to raise the HVAC system above flood level.

My tenure as President of GHF was fun, lots of work, and it was a job I looked forward to doing. The staff is great to work with, and to each staff member I say thank you. The Steering Committee was dedicated and many times I was impressed how much managerial experience we had at the table when we met, I even told them so on more than one occasion. The third group is the vast numbers of volunteers of this organization, from the Board positions, to all the events we have and to all the committee work that goes on.

Thank you, to all of you. I also thank John Nagy. As I pass into that class of Past Presidents I give you Cheryl Vaiani, your new President of the Galveston Historical Foundation.

David Bowers