Briefly addressing the Heritage Society's annual Houston Heritage Luncheon, Mayor Annise Parker acknowledged that she knows first hand both the value as well as the cost of historic preservation. After all, she and partner Kathy Hubbard live in what the mayor affectionately refers to as their "historic money pit."
That financial challenge does not, she explained, negate the importance of seeing and touching objects of the past in order to understand the present and the future. It was a theme reiterated by keynote speaker and author Andrea White.
The former Houston first lady is writing a book on the history of the 100-year-old Baker Family Playhouse and she shared some of her discoveries — it has been moved six times, for example. The program included Grace Elizabeth Hurley's recorded interview of Virginia Meyers Watt and her memories of playing in the structure.
Key players in the midday scene, taking place in a party tent at Sam Houston Park's Connally Plaza, were luncheon chairs Claudia Wilson Frost, Margaret Justus and Macey Reasoner Stokes. Houston Parks and Recreation director Joe Turner served as emcee and gleefully invited the luncheon gathering to spend the afternoon rollicking in the Baker Family Playhouse.
Considering that offer were Macey and Harry Reasoner, Bill Hobby, City Council members James Rodriguez and Ellen Cohen, Sofia Adrogué, Laura and Roy Nichol, Martha Goddard, Jackie Bostic, Betty T. Chapman, Richard Mithoff and Tricia Dewhurst.
