1. Give us a brief history of your organization.
Preservation Alliance of Lafayette (PAL) was established in 1990 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our mission is to: 1) promote strong historic preservation values, 2) serve as an advocate for the preservation of local historic properties, 3) promote the culture and history of Acadiana, and 4) serve as a resource center for historic preservation.
2. What would you tell the rest of Acadiana makes you special?
PAL is special because we increase citizen awareness, appreciation, and participation in the preservation of the historic and cultural characteristics of Lafayette, Louisiana.
3. What are you most proud of?
We have worked closely with the LCG Preservation Commission in nominating historic properties and promoting the Lafayette Historic Register Book. We have taken PAL into the 20th century via the web using a website, Facebook, Google Non-Profit Platform and Google Maps pictures. The Lafayette Historic Register Book is now online and on the www.issuu.com platform for easier access and viewing. We have improved our Member Newsletter exponentially by including information from the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
4. Where do you see your organization in 10 years? What are your plans for the future?
One of our goals is to update the Balado Discovery Historic Tours online and to create a few more tours of Lafayette’s historic districts that have become districts since these tours were developed. Namely, the Elmhurst Park Historic District, the Oil Center Historic & Cultural District, and the UL of Lafayette District. We are currently working on a feature of the historic treasures on our university’s campus that will be added to the register book.
5. 1A is making an impact as we take an active role in improving the community we live in. Our members are making an impact, too! – What does impact mean to you? How is your company making an impact?
Historic Preservation improves a community by creating an awareness of our history and early settlers. It is educational in types of architecture, increases value in property, attractive and increases tourism and great for the economy.
Cultural Preservation is also a big part of PAL. We encourage continued appreciation of our culture and strive to promote it in positive ways. By using the web and our newsletter we are able to highlight historic locations that have events or attractions open to the public. Many of our historic buildings have a great story to tell.
We believe advocacy for historic preservation creates a sense of place and value for all citizens to appreciate and enjoy. Restoration and Rehabilitation are what help maintain many of the historic treasured properties Lafayette has.