Selected Preservation Efforts, Actions and Accomplishments

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​What better way to introduce the following historic selections than with an excerpt from the Old Santa Fe Association founding petition, printed in the Santa Fe New Mexican on April 24, 1926?
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TO PRESERVE THE BEST OF OLD SANTA FE... We, the undersigned, do hereby organize ourselves into a permanent body to be known as the Old Santa Fe Association, for the purpose of working for the preservation of Old Santa Fe, and of guiding new growth and development and advancement in material welfare, in such a way as to sacrifice as little as possible of the unique charm and distinction of this city, born of age, tradition and environment, and which are Santa Fe’s most priceless assets.

1926
OSFA was founded in 1926 by a group led by Mary Austin, John Gaw Meem, Carlos Vierra, Gustave Baumann, Alice Corbin, William Penhallow Henderson, and others. • OSFA successfully fights City Council to save a parcel of land around the present-day location of St. John's College from being developed into an elitist, seasonal colony. • OSFA ensures that special Fiesta festivities, previously sequestered within the Palace of the Governors, be open to all the citizens of Santa Fe. • Read our first official letter here

1945
OSFA successfully fights proposed highway through the heart of downtown, thereby helping protect the Santuario de Guadalupe and other historic buildings.
 
1948
OSFA lobbies for, and partially funds, the city’s first Master Plan that was completed in 1950 by Harland Bartholomew.
 
1956
OSFA and National Park Service help protect the Barrio de Analco from destruction by the State of New Mexico by ensuring it would be placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

1957
OSFA members author Historic Styles Ordinance, which defines sizable historic sections of the city in which both existing and proposed visible architecture has to conform to traditional guidelines.
 
1960
OSFA daughter organization, the Historic Santa Fe Foundation, was founded and designated as a 501(c)(3).
 
1966
OSFA saves 19th-century Padre Gallegos House from demolition. • OSFA stages major campaign against aggressive civic re-development under the Federal Urban Renewal Program.
 
1970
OSFA assists the inclusion of the historic irrigation system unique to Santa Fe, the Acequia Madre, as listed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places.
 
1972
OSFA gets Historical Zone extended to the Museum Hill area.
 
1973
OSFA aids the Historic Santa Fe Foundation in its purchase of Tully House.
 
1974
OSFA forms the Santa Fe Federation of twenty-two neighborhood organizations to intervene in planning issues.
 
1980
OSFA fights to preserve and protect the historic Barrio de Analco. The western reach of the Barrio is lost to urban renewal. • OSFA advocates for a citywide bus service.

1983
OSFA initiates the extension of historic regulations to additional "districts" within the city. • OSFA is instrumental in obtaining General Plan recognition of neighborhood organizations.
 
1984
OSFA receives two permanent seats on the city’s seven-member Historic Districts Review Board — as this review body becomes independent of the Planning Commission. • OSFA hosts the first community forum on the Historic Railyard sector within the greater downtown. • OSFA's representative on the Historic Districts Review Board, Richard Hubbell, casts sole dissenting vote as the Eldorado Hotel plan on San Francisco Street is approved by the City Council. • OSFA celebrates 60th anniversary at La Fonda and honors the co-creator of Zozobra, Gustave Baumann, fire-dancer Jacques Cartier, the voice of Zozobra Harold Gans, and pyrotechnician John Conron, as well as awarding the Paloheimos, Myrtle Steadman and Jack Watson — leaders in historic preservation. • OSFA lobbies for plan to get water back into the Santa Fe River downtown.
 
1992
OSFA hosts forums and lobbies for maintaining "human" scale in downtown buildings and coherent streetscapes that display historic integrity.
 
1994
OSFA supports City acquisition of the Railyard for development for the community.
 
1997
OSFA lobbies for a professional staff for the Historic Districts Review Board, public transportation, and appropriate right of way for the Westside Relief Route. 
 
1999
OSFA holds a Community Forum with national experts on the need and economics of a new community, conference and convention center.

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​2001
OSFA joins community discussions on water and growth.
 
2003
OSFA involved in update of the City Historic Design Review Ordinance. • OSFA mounts public forum on need for Downtown Master Plan with Mayor Joseph Riley of Charleston, SC.
 
2004
OSFA sponsors Historic Preservation Week with the Historic Santa Fe Foundation and the City of Santa Fe. • OSFA petitions City Council in support of the Historic Design Review Board decision to preserve the historic fabric of Plaza Chamisal. • OSFA board members encourage City Council to purchase rather than lease water rights for the city. • OSFA prevents "hotel" intrusions in city residential and historic districts. • OSFA supports modification of the Historical Museum to better reflect Santa Fe’s historic standards. • OSFA helps save portion of Architect John Gaw Meem’s Villagra Building. • Click Here for Newsletter.
 
2005
OSFA initiates Santa Fe’s first-ever Downtown Master Plan. • OSFA hosts forum on the archaeology at the proposed civic center addressing evidence of an 800-year old prehistoric village near Sweeney Center. • OSFA continues to support a living Santa Fe River. • OSFA contests the city’s interpretation of the Ridgetop Ordinance. • OSFA protects the Borrego House with a written agreement. • OSFA promotes landmark status for St. Catherine’s Indian School and the New Mexico School for the Deaf. • See Newsletters: Spring 2025
• Fall 2025 
 
2006
OSFA lobbies the Mayor, City Council, staff and steering committee members to maintain historic zoning and streetscape ordinances in the Downtown Master Plan. • OSFA joins South Capitol neighbors in supporting ordinance prohibiting intrusion of second-story addition on West Houghton Street. • OSFA supports denial of East Buena Vista Street lot-split appeal to the City Planning Commission. • OSFA opposes the Old Taos Highway General Plan Amendment and Rezoning request that would change the plan from “very low density” to “residential high density" and would directly contravene the City’s stated goal and policy of preserving the character and integrity of its neighborhoods. • OSFA requests that the City enforce the standard approval process for projects in the historic area, including the proposed Cathedral Project. • OSFA promotes an alternative to the St. Francis overpass. • OSFA promotes adoption of Historic Building Codes and Earthen Building Codes. • OSFA hosts 80th Anniversary Celebration at La Fonda! • See Newsletters: Spring 2006 • Fall 2006

2007
OSFA helps to protect the historic Manderfield School property and the existing fabric of numerous districts. • OSFA joins the Historic Santa Fe Foundation, the Historic Districts Review Board and the city’s Historic Preservation Division in hosting the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Historic Ordinance. • OSFA presses for Division status for City's Historic Preservation Dept. and offers guidance for changes to Historic Code. • OSFA asks Cultural Properties Review Committee to put Manderfield School on historic register and expresses concern for the neglect of the St. Catherine's Indian School property. • OSFA co-hosts celebration of the 50th anniversary of Historic Ordinance with "Posole on the Plaza" with "territorial" and "pueblo" themed cakes. • Click Here for Newsletter.
 
2008
OSFA raises 52-foot crane to protest height of proposed County Courthouse, works with State to improve impact of new State parking garage. • OSFA and Neighborhood Law Center file amicus curiae brief supporting neighborhood appeal of City approval of inappropriate development on Old Taos Highway. • OSFA protests plan to replace Plaza benches donated by Kiwanis Club in 1960's as reflection of Santa Fe's Spanish heritage. • Click Here for Multiple Newsletters: Summer 2008 • Fall 2008 • Winter 2008
 
2009
OSFA works with State Legislature on ordinance ensuring collaborative process with municipalities on State building projects in city's historic district. • OSFA collaborates with downtown merchants for relocation of 7-foot electrical box on the Plaza. • OSFA invited to join River Parkway advisory group to guide plans to re-design areas of the Santa Fe River. • Click Here for Newsletter. 
 
2010
OSFA contests City attorney's opinion narrowing purview of Historic Districts Review Board and asks Board to deny plans for flea market on Old Santa Fe Trail. • OSFA urges City Council to introduce ordinance for County and SFPS to follow for buildings proposed in City's historic districts • OSFA board members work with city subcommittees, drafting changes to the Historic, Escarpment and Land Use Ordinances. • OSFA's Irene Von Horvath house is plaqued as "Historic Building" worthy of preservation by Historic Santa Fe Foundation. • OSFA serves on Mayor's "Plaza Roundtable" to examine Santa Fe Plaza and its quality of life. • OSFA joins state-organized committee to examine locations and styles for new state office building near Capitol. • OSFA contests City Attorney's opinion narrowing purview of Historic
Districts Review Board. • OSFA urges City Council to introduce ordinances for County and SFPS for building in City Historic Districts. • OSFA works on City committees to draft changes to Historic, Escarpment and Land Use Ordinances. • See Newsletters: Spring 2010 • Fall 2010
 
2011
OSFA opposed owner's request to City Historic Districts Review Board to demolish landmarked building on St. Catherine's campus. • OSFA nominates St. Catherine's Indian School as one of "New Mexico's Most Endangered Places." • OSFA urges State Cultural Properties Review Committee to designate St. Catherine's campus as Historic District. • OSFA hosts public forum celebrating St. Catherine's Indian School and its Alumni. • OSFA invited to serve on planning committee for new State Executive Office Building near Capitol. • Click Here for Newsletter.

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​2012
OSFA submits massing study for proposed State Office Building that preserves four historic casitas on site. • OSFA member Pen La Farge authors article entitled "The Centennial of a City: Planning and Preservation in Santa Fe" for newsletter. • OSFA gives preservation award to Cornerstones Community Partnerships for work on San Miguel Mission Church. • OSFA enters "Electronic Age" with a new website (www.oldsantafe.org) and Facebook page. • OSFA opposes rezoning request for Plaza Chamisal to allow commercial uses, with the Council ultimately rejecting rezoning request 8-0. • See Newsletters: Summer 2012 • Fall 2012
 
2013
OSFA initiates "Archival Footage of Northern New Mexico" film preservation project to ensure visual record of Historic Landmarks and Traditions. • OSFA urges restoration of Palace Avenue's Francisca Hinojos House, recently gutted by fire. • OSFA board member Richard McCord pens article "Origins of the Historic Styles Ordinance" for OSFA's ¡El Boletin! newsletter. • OSFA successfully urges City Planning Commission to maintain residential zoning for adaptive reuse of Manderfield School. • Soon to be added: Link to Newsletter
 
2014
OSFA hosts expert panel on "Green and Renewable Energy in the Historic District." • OSFA sits on Cultural Coalition Roundtable for strategies for purchase of Masonic Temple listed for sale. • OSFA testifies at multiple County Commission hearings urging denial of proposed La Bajada gravel mine. • OSFA advocates city historic designation for three historic city bridges facing future demolition. • OSFA works with Canyon Road Neighborhood on new Atalaya School design and Manderfield School condominium renovation. • OSFA commends Drury Hotel for collaborative process for adaptive reuse of the former St. Vincent Hospital building.
 
2015
OSFA supports local Masons to maintain ownership of Scottish Rite Temple and encourages vigorous community use of building. • OSFA sponsors creation of a Historic Cultural Properties Inventory (HCPI) report detailing three historic bridges in Santa Fe. See Newsletters: Fall 2015 • Winter 2015
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2016
OSFA receives Mayors Award for Excellence in Preservation at 2016 Heritage Preservation Awards ceremony by Mayor Gonzales. • OSFA endorses proposed Old Pecos Trail Scenic Corridor Ordinance for consideration by City. • OSFA participates on State Land Office task force exploring redevelopment of Garrett's Desert Inn property. • OSFA successfully fends off demolition of the historic Hinojos house on Palace Avenue, which was virtually destroyed by fire, and advocates for its preservation. • Click Here for Newsletter. 
 
2017
OSFA commends City on international award by National Geographic Society for "Sense of Place," presented at a ceremony in Berlin, Germany. • OSFA participates in design charrette for re-development of Garrett's Desert Inn property, advocating for, and supporting Historic Districts Review Board oversight. • OSFA receives L. Bradford Prince Award from Historical Society of NM for its "outstanding service to the people of New Mexico." • OSFA celebrates its 90-year anniversary as Santa Fe's oldest civic organization.  OSFA testifies against Flying-J Truck Stop project at 1-25 entrance off Cerrillos Road leading to denial by County Commissions. • OSFA submits letter to Mayor's task force on monuments and Fiesta Entrada Event, advocating community dialogue.  OSFA sponsors local historic film preservation project with State Film Archive. • OSFA participates in design feedback process for new County Courthouse building on Grant Street. • Soon to be added: Link to Newsletter
 
2018
OSFA Film Preservation Project receives funding donation from an outside patron and presents a program of historic film to the public in collaboration with the New Mexico History Museum. • OSFA advocates for oversight of the Historic Districts Review Board on the proposed new "Vladem Art Museum" on state property in the Historic Transition District adjacent to the Railyard District on Guadalupe Street. • Soon to be added: Link to Newsletter
 
2019
OSFA argues against proposed changes to the streetscape of the Santa Fe Plaza to protect the early architectural character inspired by John Gaw Meem — specifically on the site known as the original site of the early Spanish Colonial La Castrense building. • OSFA supports the residents of the Plaza del Monte compound, arguing against piece-meal demolition of structures. • OSFA advocates for the "Hillside" neighborhood to counter irresponsible development practices on the escarpments above the Arroyo de las Mascaras. • OSFA presents a special screening of "This is Your Life" (1950's) featuring the Santa Fe family of Helene ("Ma") Ruthling, in support of our Film Preservation Program at the New Mexico History Museum's Photo Archives. • OSFA presents a special event for members featuring a Lecture by Dr. Enrique R. Lamidrid on the history of the evolution of the Barrio de Analco in Santa Fe. • Click Here for Newsletter

(Years 2020 to present coming soon.)

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Stay tuned for more updates!