New Leadership

The statewide non-profit dedicated to protecting Florida’s extraordinary history and heritage is seeking nominations for the Florida’s 11 to Save program, the annual list of Florida’s most endangered historic places, and its Florida Preservation Awards

The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation began the year with a new executive director and a renewed commitment to connect with, protect and share the diverse historic places throughout the state.

Melissa Wyllie began the year as the new executive director of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. Wyllie, a Floridian and dedicated preservationist, returns to Florida after 10 years in Nashville where she served as President of Historic Nashville, consulted for the Tennessee Preservation Trust and collaborated on preservation campaigns throughout the state including working to secure Music Row as a National Treasure. In Nashville, she was recognized as a Female Entrepreneur to Watch and named to the 2016 40 Under 40 by the Nashville Business Journal.  Under her new leadership the Florida Trust will connect with a broader community to protect places of architectural, historic and archeological importance throughout the state.
Nominations are open for both the Florida’s 11 to Save program and the Florida Preservation Awards, celebrating 38 years of acknowledging those making a difference in historic preservation in their communities. The two programs represent a significant opportunity for the Florida Trust to hear from preservationists around the state.
“We believe this will be an exciting and successful year for the Florida Trust,” Clay Henderson, Board President of the Florida Trust said. “We are confident Melissa will head the organization in a dynamic direction while keeping its roots in place. Her broad skill set and experience will help us reach and engage the community to raise awareness and protect Florida’s historic places.”
The Florida Trust will continue to expand this year, broadening its audience and membership to better serve a diverse state. In support of that goal, the Florida Trust asks for community input through nominations to Florida’s 11 to Save and the Florida Preservation Awards.
The Florida’s 11 to Save list reflects the preservation concerns of the people of Florida, and helps to guide the organization’s advocacy and education focus for the year. The 2017 Florida’s 11 to Save will be announced at the Florida Preservation Conference in St. Petersburg on Thursday, May 18.
“Historic places are an important part of our neighborhoods and our shared Florida story,” Wyllie said. “We have to be the voice for all of Florida, collaborating with communities to advocate and protect our state’s extraordinary heritage. I look forward to working together to preserve Florida’s unique history.”
The Florida Preservation Awards recognize significant contributions to the preservation of Florida’s historic resources through outstanding historic preservation projects, programs and achievements by individuals and organizations. The awards will be presented during a ceremony at the 2017 Annual Preservation Conference in St. Petersburg on Friday, May 19.
Additional information, including nomination forms for both Florida’s 11 to Save and the Florida Preservation Awards are available at www.FloridaTrust.org. The nomination deadline for both programs is Tuesday, February 28.
The 2017 Florida Preservation Conference is May 18 – 20 in St. Petersburg, and provides an opportunity for education and advocacy for Florida’s preservation community, as well as hands-on workshops and tours. This year’s theme is Preservation Reinvented for Art and Enterprise. Additional information about the conference is available on the Florida Trust website https://www.floridatrust.org/.
Media interested in attending the Florida Preservation conference, the Florida’s 11 to Save media event or the awards ceremony may be added to the media list by emailing [email protected].
About the Florida Trust
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is the state’s non-profit dedicated to protecting Florida’s extraordinary heritage and history. Founded in 1978, the Florida Trust has collaborated to save irreplaceable Florida treasures like the Historic Florida Capitol and is a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Learn more at www.FloridaTrust.org and follow on Twitter: @FloridaTrustHP.