Founded in 1924, the San Antonio Conservation Society is one of the first community preservation groups in the United States. Beginning with efforts to preserve such unique sites as the city’s Spanish Colonial missions, the Society has been responsible for saving many of the historic attractions that make San Antonio the top tourist destination in Texas.
In addition to advocating the reuse of historic structures, the Society also conducts annual bus tours of historic sites for school children; offers grants for community preservation projects; maintains two historic house museums and a research library; presents awards for the restoration of the built environment and for the publication of outstanding books on Texas history; hosts speakers and supports heritage projects in many ways.
The Society’s annual fiesta activity, A Night in Old San Antonio® – held during Fiesta week in April since 1948 – is the largest preservation fundraiser in the United States.
From thirteen founding women, to a membership of over 1,700 men and women, the Society’s volunteers are still actively involved in the preservation of history, structures, customs, green spaces, and the diverse cultural heritage of San Antonio and Texas.
