Sue Spears-Martin is a native Austinite and veteran community organizer. Sue has been involved with Bethany Cemetery, the city’s first cemetery exclusively for African Americans, since the 1990s. Since then she has been dedicated to safeguarding the site’s rich heritage through preservation and community engagement.

Preservation Austin’s 66th Annual Preservation Merit Awards honor visionary approaches to preserving our city’s unique architectural, cultural, and environmental heritage. By recognizing outstanding individuals, businesses, organizations, and institutions, we hope to inspire others to carry on this important work.

Women have played a pivotal role in shaping the vibrant Austin we know today. These remarkable advocates, often working behind the scenes, laid the foundation for the city’s growth and cultural diversity through their dedication to education, community service, and social justice. One such woman was “Grandma” Camacho.

Preservation Austin is thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its signature Grants Program, which supports the preservation and interpretation of the historic places that mean the most to our community. By providing funding for important projects citywide, the non-profit aims to financially support Austinites as they preserve our shared past.

Preservation Austinis thrilled to announce that Austin City Council designated the Hill-Thompson House as a City of Austin Landmark at their May 28 meeting. The residence, located at 1906 Maple Avenue, was designed by pioneering Black architect John S. Chase, FAIA, for civic leader Irene Hill-Thompson, widow of Oscar Thompson, the first Black student to graduate from The University of Texas at Austin.

The University of Texas at Austin stands as one of the most architecturally and historically significant campuses in the United States. From humble beginnings on a 40-acre tract known as “College Hill” to its current sprawling campus, UT reflects more than a century of academic and architectural ambition. Today, preservation efforts ensure that this legacy remains intact for future generations.

Preservation Austin was thrilled to host our grand opening for the McFarland-McBee House on March 10. The event was a true house warming, offering a chance for our community of supporters to see the newly-rehabilitated house and celebrate this momentous, years-long project. Click through for a recap of an unforgettable evening!

Preservation Austin and Architexas established the JuanRaymon Rubio Preservation Fellowship to champion underrepresented heritage, empower underrepresented voices in preservation, and invest in future leaders. Learn more about our inaugural fellow, Aseel Al-Khdairat.