Historic preservation nonprofit Cornerstones has changed its name to Preserve Chattanooga.
Established in 1975 as Landmarks Chattanooga, the organization became known as Cornerstones in 1994. After 28 years as Cornerstones, the nonprofit has rebranded itself to clarify its purpose and the community it serves.
The board of directors first began discussing a name change in 2021 after the retirement of Ann Gray, the former Cornerstones executive director. In November of last year, the board selected Todd Morgan to become the new executive director.
During a board retreat in January, it became clear that a broad variety of businesses in the Chattanooga area are using the term “cornerstone” and that board members desired a name that more clearly conveyed what the organization does and for whom.
Preserve Chattanooga emerged after much discussion and was approved unanimously.
“When properly maintained and utilized, our historic places present valuable economic, environmental and cultural benefits for all,” says Morgan. “Preservation is not about withholding progress; it’s about being good stewards of the gifts we’ve inherited and often reimagining how they can be used effectively in modern times.”
Preserve Chattanooga’s mission is to protect the architectural heritage of Chattanooga. Programming includes facade easements that protect important historic sites such as the Customs House, Tivoli Center and Dome Building.
The nonprofit also funds a professor-in-residence for the University of Tennessee Chattanooga’s minor in historic preservation and hosts preservation-themed events throughout the year.
Preserve Chattanooga is the current owner of the Terminal Dome, the centerpiece of the Choo-Choo complex that opened in 1909.
The nonprofit has also embarked on a plan to preserve the passenger terminal and reinvent its use as a community asset.
In February, Preserve Chattanooga received a $15,000 grant from The 1772 Foundation to fund a feasibility study for establishing a local revolving fund.
Also known as a historic properties redevelopment program, revolving funds are designed to assist with preserving endangered properties using various real estate strategies.
Historic structures are restored or rehabilitated and ultimately returned to the private sector with deed restrictions in place. Any proceeds realized from transactions are recycled to sustain the proactive preservation efforts of the revolving fund program.
The Preserve Chattanooga fund will be named the Cornerstones Fund in recognition of the organization’s former name.
Donations, grants and the Wine Over Water festival support Preserve Chattanooga’s mission. Wine Over Water is scheduled to return to the Walnut Street Bridge Oct. 8. Festivities will include a Best Cellars event to be held Oct. 7 at Hunter Museum of Art.
Learn more at www.preservechattanooga.com.
Source: Preserve Chattanooga