Editing West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc.

{{Infobox Organization 
|name=West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc.
|image=
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|size=
|caption=
|mission=
|motto=
|formation=[[1967]]
|extinction=
|type= 
|location=
|membership=
|leader_title=
|leader_name=
|executive=[[Richard Brosnaham]]
|board=[[J. Earle Bowden]], ''President''<br/>[[Lucy Rentz]], ''Vice President''<br/>[[Carter Quina]], ''Secretary''<br/>[[Morris Marx]]<br/>[[Matt Currin]]<br/>[[Patsy Langhorne]]<br/>[[Jerry Maygarden]]<br/>[[Collier Merrill]]
|staff=
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|website=[http://www.historicpensacola.org/ www.historicpensacola.org]
}}
'''West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc.''' (WFHPI) is a non-profit organization  dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of the Pensacola area's historic buildings and other material culture. Established in [[1967]] as the '''Historic Pensacola Preservation Board''', it has been managed and supported by the [[University of West Florida]] since [[2001]]. Its operations include the [[T. T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum]] and the [[Historic Pensacola Village]].

==History==
===Background===
The Historic Pensacola Preservation Board (HPPB) was preceded and inspired by stewardship programs established in [[Wikipedia:St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]]. A number of grassroots preservation projects had already been undertaken in Pensacola by volunteers, such as the [[Junior League]]'s restoration of the [[Dorr House]], led by [[Mary Turner Rule Reed]].

===Establishment & growth===
Through the efforts of the [[1967]] West Florida delegation, including State Representative [[Jim Reeves]] and State Senator [[Reubin Askew]], the Historic Pensacola Preservation Board was established by the legislature and signed into law by Governor [[Wikipedia:Claude R. Kirk, Jr.|Claude R. Kirk]] on [[July 5]], [[1967]].<ref>J. Earle Bowden. "Forty years later, history still at home in Pensacola." ''Pensacola News Journal'', November 10, 2007.</ref> It was incorporated as '''Historic Pensacola, Inc.''' on [[May 29]], [[1968]].<ref name="sunbiz">[http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/cordet.exe?action=DETFIL&inq_doc_number=714684&inq_came_from=NAMFWD&cor_web_names_seq_number=0001&names_name_ind=N&names_cor_number=&names_name_seq=&names_name_ind=&names_comp_name=WESTFLORIDAHISTORICPRESERVATIO&names_filing_type= SunBiz.org record]</ref> Charter members included [[Pat Dodson]] (a Republican political ally to Governor Kirk), [[J. Earle Bowden]] and [[T. T. Wentworth]].

The first executive director was St. Augustine's [[Earl Newton]]. Newton orchestrated the acquisition of historic properties through open-space federal grants. Over time the group worked with the [[City of Pensacola]] to establish the [[Architectural Review Board]] and several historic districts.<ref name="baton">"Preservation baton is passed to UWF." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 19, 2001.</ref>

The organization lost its [[Wikipedia:American Association of Museums|American Association of Museums]] accreditation in the 1980s after taking control of the massive [[T. T. Wentworth]] collection, due to the AAM's requirement that at least 80% of all collections be catalogued.<ref name="brosnaham">"Brosnaham assumes helm as Historic Preservation director." ''Pensacola News Journal'', April 28, 2006.</ref>

===Change of management===
By [[2001]], Historic Pensacola was the last historic preservation board still operated by the state. It had garnered a collection of 22 buildings occupying eight acres of [[Downtown Pensacola|downtown]] property and valued at up to $8 million. A state budget proposed by Governor [[Wikipedia:Jeb Bush|Jeb Bush]] threatened to eliminate the organization's $650,000 annual funding.

Facing extinction, Board Director [[John Daniels]] proposed a solution: the non-profit organization would be transferred to the [[University of West Florida]], which would sub-lease the properties from the Florida Department of State. UWF President [[Morris Marx]] endorsed the proposal: "We're really excited about the potential. We can start thinking about all sorts of museum programs, as well as courses in preservation technology, preservation architecture and others. We'll be able to offer students priceless hands-on experience."<ref>"UWF plan could save history council." ''Pensacola News Journal'', February 11, 2001.</ref>

It was presented to the legislature by West Florida delegates [[Jerry Maygarden]] and [[Durrell Peaden]] and passed the House without opposition on [[April 26]], 2001.<ref>"UWF could become overseer of historic Pensacola." ''Pensacola News Journal'', April 27, 2001.</ref> The organization was officially renamed West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. on [[August 29]], [[2001]].<ref name="sunbiz"/>

Under its official name of West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc., the organization also maintains Historic Pensacola Village and the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum.  The Village provides guided and self-guided tours Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

==Assets==
*[[T. T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum]]
*[[J. Earle Bowden Building]]
*[[Museum of Commerce]]
*[[Museum of Industry]]
*[[Tivoli High House]]
*[[Old Christ Church]]
*[[Clara Barkley Dorr House]]
*[[Barkley House]]
*[[Julee Cottage]]
*[[Manuel Barrios Cottage]]
*[[Walsch Building]]
*[[Walton Cottage]]
*[[Moreno Cottage]]
*[[McCullough Building]]
*[[LaValle House]]
*[[Lear-Rocheblave House]]
*[[Pfeiffer House]]
*[[Christ Church Parish School House]]
*[[Coulson House]]
*[[Christie House]]
*[[Fountain Park]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Heritage organizations]]