Preservation Houston

What Preservation Houston does

Preservation Houston is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legal name: Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Inc.) founded in 1978 as the city's only citywide historic preservation education and advocacy body. It operates a portfolio of programs including the Good Brick Awards (running since 1979), 40-plus annual docent-led Architecture Walks, the Good Brick Tour (since 2014, with 150+ volunteers), Digital Architecture Walks, the Houston Building Atlas interactive map, Preservation Services for landmark nominations and disaster recovery, the Pier & Beam next-generation membership group for ages 21–45, the Legacy Restaurants program, and the PH Travels curated architecture trips. Revenue is generated from individual membership dues, tax-deductible donations and grants, foundation support (including Houston Endowment and the National Trust for Historic Preservation), Good Brick Award nomination fees ($150), Good Brick Tour ticket sales ($30 all-location, $10 single site), and event sponsorships ranging from $500 to $5,000. The organization has played a central role in Houston's preservation policy, having drafted and secured passage of the city's first preservation ordinances in the 1990s and recently advocating for the Astrodome's State Antiquities Landmark designation.

The organization operates from a small staff (1–10 employees) and a large volunteer base, with no proprietary technology product; its digital infrastructure consists of a Neon CRM-backed member portal (launched May 2024) and standard content channels (website, email newsletter archive dating to 1981, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram). GTM is community-led: programs are distributed directly to Houston-area residents, historic property owners, neighborhoods seeking designation support, and younger preservationists via self-serve membership, in-person tours and events, and digital programming. Under new Executive Director Jennifer Kapral (appointed April 2025), the organization is professionalizing fundraising capacity after a transition period under interim director Kathy Washburn (May 2024).

Name

Preservation Houston

Legal name

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Inc.

Website

https://preservationhouston.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (712120), Historical Sites (71212), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

Keywords

• Historic preservation advocacy
• Preservation education
• Walking tours
• Landmark designation
• Heritage conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Preservation Houston relies on membership donations as a primary revenue stream. Members receive benefits including access to events, tours, the Pier & Beam group for younger members, and a sense of community around preserving Houston's history.
2. Donations and Grants: The organization accepts tax-deductible donations, grants from foundations, and corporate matching gifts. Donors can give one-time or recurring donations, through donor-advised funds (DAF), stock gifts, and crypto donations via Every.org.
3. Event Income: Revenue is generated from events including the Cornerstone Dinner (where Good Brick Awards are presented), the Good Brick Tour (tickets for tours of historic properties), and various educational programs and tours.
4. Good Brick Award Nominations: A non-refundable $150 administrative fee is required with all Good Brick Award nominations, which helps offset processing costs.
5. Tour Tickets and Sponsorships: The Good Brick Tour generates revenue through ticket sales ($30 for all-location passes, $10 for single site) and corporate sponsorships at various levels (Prestige $5,000, Location $2,500, Signature $1,000, Patron $500).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Preservation Houston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates the public and advocates for the protection of Houston and Harris County's historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landmarks. Its core offerings include the Good Brick Awards recognition program (since 1979), the Good Brick Tour, 40+ annual docent-led Architecture Walks, Digital Architecture Walks, Preservation Services for landmark nominations, the Houston Building Atlas interactive map, and member engagement programs including Pier & Beam.

Product overview

Preservation Houston operates as a citywide nonprofit historic preservation organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. The core offerings include the Good Brick Awards (recognition program since 1979), the Good Brick Tour (annual property tours since 2014), Architecture Walks (40+ docent-led tours since 1979), and Digital Architecture Walks (virtual alternatives). The Houston Building Atlas provides an interactive mapping platform for exploring historic sites. Preservation Services offers professional support for landmark nominations and building protection. Pier & Beam serves as a sub-brand membership group for younger members (ages 21-45), while the Legacy Restaurants program recognizes historic culinary establishments. Additional offerings include the Future Landmark Award, Cornerstone Dinner, PH Member Portal, and online research resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pier & Beam: Next-generation member group for individuals ages 21 to 45 who care about preservation and place. Members connect through events, travel and advocacy.
• Good Brick Awards
• Houston Building Atlas
• Savoring History: Houston's Legacy Restaurants

Products and services

• Good Brick Awards
• Good Brick Tour
• Architecture Walks
• Digital Architecture Walks
• Houston Building Atlas
• Preservation Services
• Pier & Beam
• Legacy Restaurants (Savoring History)
• Future Landmark Award
• Cornerstone Dinner
• PH Member Portal
• Online Research Resources

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ docent-led tours annually since 1979
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kroger Community RewardsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPH participates in Kroger's Community Rewards program, where a portion of eligible purchases made with a linked Shopper's Card goes toward preserving Houston's history.
• Randalls Good Neighbor ProgramminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPH participates in Randalls' Good Neighbor Program, which automatically contributes to PH when shoppers use their Remarkable Card.
• AmazonSmileminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon donates a portion of qualified purchases to PH when customers access Amazon via smile.amazon.com and select PH as their nonprofit of choice.
• Texas A&M University Center for Heritage ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPH's Board voted to fund a documentation project for the Arcola plantation sugar house, with Texas A&M's team conducting work using terrestrial laser scanning and aerial photogrammetry per Historic American Buildings Survey standards.
• National Trust for Historic PreservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPH collaborates with the National Trust as part of a coalition (including Houston Mod) to promote preservation of significant structures like the Astrodome. PH was designated an Interested Party in NASA's Mission Control restoration project.
• Houston ModcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPH works with Houston Mod as part of preservation coalitions to advocate for modernist architecture and significant Houston landmarks.
• Friends of the DomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in Astrodome preservation efforts. Friends of the Dome, chaired by former HAHC Chair Phoebe Tudor, collected over 900 signatures supporting State Antiquities Landmark designation.
• Fort Bend Archeological SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPH is in contact with this organization, which conducted earlier work at the Arcola plantation site.
• Fort Bend History AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPH collaborates with this organization regarding preservation efforts at the Arcola plantation site in Fort Bend County.
• Fort Bend County Historical CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPH maintains contact with this commission regarding the Arcola plantation documentation project.
• Space Center HoustonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Visitor Experience Plan for Apollo Mission Control restoration is being developed in cooperation with Space Center Houston, the nonprofit organization responsible for visitor services at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
• Downtown DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPH partnered with Downtown District on a video tour of some of downtown Houston's most historically significant sites, including Allen's Landing, Market Square, and the 300 block of Main Street.
• Home IdentityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Ecuador-based modern furniture retailer launched a pop-up shop benefiting PH and Pier & Beam, with proceeds from silent auction of signature pieces also supporting the organization.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• San Antonio Conservation Society: One of the oldest and largest citywide preservation nonprofits in Texas; mirrors PH's model of advocacy, education, tours, and awards within a single Texas city. Directly comparable in scope, mission, and revenue mix.
• Docomomo US: National chapter focused on modern movement architecture documentation and preservation. Co-awarded PH the 2015 Advocacy Award of Excellence for the Astrodome coalition, marking a directly overlapping advocacy mission.
• Houston Mod: Houston-based nonprofit focused on modern and mid-century architecture preservation; operates in the same geography on a narrower mid-century-modern subset, and has been a formal coalition partner with PH on Astrodome advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: The largest US preservation nonprofit with national scope, grants programs, and policy influence. PH is a recurring local coalition partner and recipient of NTHP America's Treasures recognition, making NTHP a clear incumbent counterpart.
• New York Landmarks Conservancy: Large citywide preservation nonprofit offering advocacy, preservation services, and grant programs — analogous to PH in structure but at materially larger scale in a denser historic-building market.

Others

• Texas Historical Commission: State agency that administers the State Antiquities Landmark program under which the Astrodome was designated. Not a nonprofit peer, but the primary regulatory counterpart whose decisions directly shape PH's advocacy wins.
• AIA Houston: Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects; a professional society rather than preservation nonprofit, but a recurring coalition partner on local advocacy (Astrodome) and a stakeholder for historic-property owners PH serves.

Emerging players

• Cultural Landscape Foundation: National nonprofit that documents and advocates for significant designed landscapes; thematic overlap with PH's historic-site advocacy and a useful comparison for PH's Houston Building Atlas digital asset.

Regional players

• Preservation Texas: Statewide preservation nonprofit covering all of Texas; broader geography than PH but a close functional analog on advocacy, awards (Texas Preservation Honors), and most-endangered-listing programs.
• Foundation for Historical Louisiana: Gulf South regional preservation foundation providing grants and education similar to PH's Preservation Services, but with a multi-state reach and focus on built-environment advocacy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/preshou
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/preservationhouston
• Facebookfacebook.com/PreservationHouston
• Instagraminstagram.com/preshou
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/preservation-houston

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Preservation Houston