FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans Celebrates 40 Years of Progress Through Preservation

NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 21, 2014)—Founded in 1974, Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans (PRC) is now celebrating 40 years of promoting the preservation, restoration and revitalization of New Orleans’ historic architecture and neighborhoods.

PRC hosted its 40th Anniversary Celebration, Annual Meeting, and Mint Julep Reception at the Saenger Theatre on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. As more than 350 guests arrived at the Saenger, they were greeted in the arcade with live music by The New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra, an American revival orchestra that performs authentic orchestrations of vintage American popular music from the 1890s through the early 1930s.

PRC’s President of the 2013-2014 Board of Directors, Frederic Theodore Le Clercq, issued the Call to Order and Welcome to initiate PRC’s 40th Annual Meeting in the Saenger’s grand theater. New Orleans City Councilmember-At-Large Stacy Head then offered remarks about the restoration of the Saenger Theatre and the revitalization of the heart of the city. Le Clercq then administered his Annual Report highlighting PRC’s accomplishments of the previous year, followed by the Report from the Executive Director, Patricia H. Gay. PRC then debuted a short video produced by David Wolfe, celebrating 40 years of preservation.

The keynote speaker was introduced by Edgar L. Chase III, Secretary of PRC’s Board of Directors. The featured speaker was Gustavo F. Araoz, President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), who spoke about World Heritage Cities, a prestigious designation that many preservationists hope to achieve for New Orleans as it approaches its 300th birthday in 2018.

The Election of Officers and Board Members followed, moderated by David Darragh, the Chair of the Nominating Committee. The proposed slate of officers, new board members, and returning board members for 2014-2015 was approved by the PRC members in attendance, as follows:

Executive Committee:
Clyde H. Jacob III, President
Julie Habetz, Vice President
Edgar L. Chase III, Secretary
Anna Flynt Breaux, Treasurer
Amanda Morris Frischhertz, At-Large
William Hales, At-Large
Tricia King, At-Large
Graham M. Ralston, At-Large

New Board Members:
Michael W. Murphy II
Randy Opotowsky
Richard Roth
Carol Starr

Returning Board Members:
Janie Blackmon
Naydja D. Bynum
Charles Booker
Stephanie Carroll
David Darragh
John D. Gray
S. Ault Hootsell III
Gaynell Lawrence
Allan J. Melillo
Anne Morse
Rick C. Normand
Michelle Ogden
Suzanne Perlis
Anne F. Redd
Janet W. Tallerine
Peter Trapolin
Harold L. Williamson, Jr.
Angele Young

The newly elected President of the Board of Directors, Clyde H. Jacob III, made the concluding remarks and adjourned the Annual Meeting.

The festivities concluded with a mint julep reception in the arcade of the Saenger Theatre, accompanied by more live music by The New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra.

PRC will continue celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout the 2014-2015 year and invites all supporters to join in support.

About Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans (PRC)
Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans (PRC) celebrates 40 years of promoting the preservation, restoration and revitalization of New Orleans’ historic architecture and neighborhoods. Founded in 1974, PRC is a non-profit organization that has restored nearly 1,500 properties citywide and has assisted countless individuals with their own renovation efforts through its outreach and advocacy programs. PRC provides resources and education to convey the economic, cultural and aesthetic importance of historic preservation in New Orleans and throughout the world. For more information about PRC and its revitalization efforts, call 504.581.7032 or visit www.prcno.org. Connect with PRC on Facebook and Twitter (@PRCNO). You can also find PRC on Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest.

MEDIA CONTACT:   Gretchen Hirt / Gambel Communications (504.324.4242 /
Gretchen@gambelpr.com)

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