Started in 2012, the Power of Preservation Foundation (PoP) is a coalition of advocates, businesses, neighborhoods, and agencies interested in promoting the literal “power” of preservation in our community.

While many citizens, business leaders, and elected officials may not self-identify as preservationists, most people value that which preservation is about: a sense of place, a sense of community, reinvestment in downtown and the central city, adaptive reuse of existing buildings and infrastructure, economic development, protection of neighborhoods, authenticity, walkability, and sustainability.

Historic preservation is truly economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability! Proceeds raised by PoP support the hands-on preservation programs of the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation, including Rehabber Club workshops, REHABARAMA, Students Together Achieving Revitalization (S.T.A.R.), and the Living Heritage Trades Academy (LHTA). Proceeds also benefit our pioneering Climate Heritage Learning Labs at both the Kelso House and Nogalitos Cottage. Through a partnership with Lake|Flato, we are pursuing San Antonio’s first-ever residential Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute at the Kelso House to demonstrate the intersection of carbon neutrality with historic preservation in practice.

In addition to the support of hands-on preservation programs, PoP seeks to engage young professionals and students to become the next generation of preservationists and advocates for a more sustainable building ethic. We achieve this through our partner workshops, PoP on the Rocks happy hour + tour series, our signature fundraising gala Preservation PROMenade, and other special events, like culinary exchanges.