Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation
A Tucson nonprofit that advocates for, documents, and helps preserve the city and region's historic architecture, cultural heritage, public spaces, and design legacy.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation is a private nonprofit organization focused on preserving Tucson, Arizona's historic, architectural, and cultural heritage. Its work combines advocacy, education, archival stewardship, public programming, architectural research, and direct intervention on endangered properties and cultural resources. The organization operates primarily in Tucson, Pima County, and the wider Southern Arizona region, where its activities address the historic built environment as well as related traditions such as neon signage, landscape design, and early cinema. The foundation emerged from concern during the early 1980s about the continuing demolition of historic buildings and the lack of an organization able to acquire or stabilize threatened properties. It was established in March 1985 with a mission centered on acquiring, maintaining, and preserving endangered historic properties. The Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission helped organize the new nonprofit, and Judge Norman S. Fenton became its first president. Initial funding came in an unusual way: salvageable materials from the demolition of Avalon House, a Spanish Revival mansion on Oracle Road, were donated by Frank McClure and Homes Tuttle Ford and sold to create a financial base for preservation work. Although the foundation did not fully achieve its original ambition of building a large acquisition-centered preservation fund, it influenced the protection and stabilization of numerous Tucson properties. It provided financial assistance to the Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association for preservation of the historic San Pedro Chapel and contributed to wider efforts that helped secure National Register and local landmark recognition for buildings. The organization also became associated with efforts to preserve Tucson's historic neon signs and to promote public understanding of the city's architectural heritage. After becoming dormant in the early 1990s, the foundation was restructured in 2008 under the leadership of Demion Clinco, with a new board and renewed program activity. Its subsequent work expanded beyond property preservation. In 2011 it launched Tucson Modernism Week, an annual educational program examining modernist architecture, design, and related cultural history. The foundation has also supported the recovery and presentation of Southern Arizona's early silent-film heritage, including restoration work and screenings of films made in Tucson or the surrounding region. Direct preservation projects have remained an important part of its identity. In 2016 the foundation purchased the Hirsh's Shoes building at 2934 East Broadway Boulevard in Tucson, helping prevent its loss. In 2019 it acquired, saved, and restored the Ball-Paylore House. Alongside these projects, the foundation maintains archives containing books, historic documents, photographs, and research materials related to Tucson architecture, Arizona history, historic preservation, horticulture, and landscape architecture. It also recognizes preservation leadership through annual awards, including the Grand Punch Bowl Award and the President's Award. The foundation's positioning is civic and educational rather than commercial. It serves as a preservation advocate, knowledge repository, event producer, and occasional property steward. Its programs seek to make historic resources visible and useful to the public while encouraging residents, owners, institutions, and policymakers to recognize the value of Tucson's distinctive places and cultural history.
History
The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation was formed in March 1985 after growing concern that historic Tucson buildings were being demolished without an organization prepared to acquire or protect them. The Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission helped organize the nonprofit, and Judge Norman S. Fenton became its first president. The foundation's original purpose was practical as well as educational: it sought to establish the capacity to acquire, maintain, and preserve endangered historic properties in the Tucson area. Its first funding illustrates the organization’s early resourcefulness. Salvageable materials from the demolition of Avalon House, a Spanish Revival mansion on Oracle Road, were donated by Frank McClure and Homes Tuttle Ford. The materials were sold, and the proceeds helped create a financial base for future preservation interventions. Fenton described the foundation as a response to the frustration of watching buildings and other parts of Tucson's heritage disappear without an appropriate preservation body. The foundation did not ultimately fulfill its initial ambition of creating a substantial acquisition fund, but it nevertheless influenced the protection and stabilization of historic resources. It loaned money to the Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association for work on the historic San Pedro Chapel and participated in broader efforts that resulted in buildings being listed on the National Register of Historic Places or designated as local historic landmarks. Its preservation interests also extended to Tucson's historic neon signs and other forms of visual and commercial heritage. During the early 1990s the foundation became dormant. It was restructured in 2008 under Demion Clinco, with a new board and a renewed programmatic direction. The reactivated organization combined direct preservation with public interpretation, research, and events. In 2011 it launched Tucson Modernism Week, an annual educational program that presents the region's modernist architecture and design history to the public. Another strand of the foundation's work has involved Southern Arizona's early silent-film heritage. It has supported efforts to preserve, restore, and screen silent films made in Tucson and nearby areas, including The Mine with the Iron Door and Ridin' Wild. These activities broadened the meaning of preservation beyond buildings to include moving-image history and the cultural memory associated with the region's film industry. The foundation has also undertaken direct property projects. In 2016 it purchased the Hirsh's Shoes building at 2934 East Broadway Boulevard in Tucson, helping save the building from potential loss. In 2019 it purchased, preserved, and restored the Ball-Paylore House. These projects demonstrate the organization's continuing interest in using ownership and restoration when advocacy alone may not be sufficient. Education, documentation, and recognition remain central to the foundation's work. Its archives collect and organize books, historic documents, photographs, and research materials concerning Tucson architecture, Arizona history, preservation, horticulture, and landscape architecture. The foundation also presents annual awards to individuals, organizations, and projects that contribute to the preservation of Tucson's heritage. The Grand Punch Bowl Award recognizes an especially significant preservation contributor, while the President's Award, presented annually since 2012, recognizes an outstanding board member. As of 2016, Demion Clinco was identified as executive director and Suzy Gershman as board president.
- 2019
Ball-Paylore House restored
[1]The foundation saved, purchased, and restored the Ball-Paylore House.
- 2016
Hirsh's Shoes building acquired
[1]The foundation purchased the historic Hirsh's Shoes building on East Broadway Boulevard in Tucson.
- 2012
President's Award introduced
[1]The board president began an annual award recognizing an especially valuable contribution by a board member.
- 2011
Tucson Modernism Week begins
[1]The foundation launched Tucson Modernism Week as an annual educational program.
- 2008
Restructuring and board renewal
[1]The organization was restructured under Demion Clinco and a new board was established.
- 1990
Organization becomes dormant
[1]The foundation entered a dormant period during the early 1990s.
- 1985
Foundation established
[1]The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation was established in March to acquire, maintain, and preserve endangered historic properties in Tucson.
- 1985
Initial preservation fund created through salvage sales
[1]Salvageable materials from Avalon House's demolition were donated and sold to provide early funding for the organization.
Products and positioning
A Tucson-centered nonprofit preservation organization that combines advocacy, education, archival research, public programming, and direct stewardship of endangered historic places.
Educational program · 2011
Tucson Modernism Week
An annual educational program launched in 2011 that explores Tucson's modernist architecture, design, buildings, and cultural context through public programming and preservation-oriented interpretation.
Preservation service · 1985
Historic-property preservation projects
Acquisition, stabilization, restoration, and advocacy for endangered historic properties. Documented examples include the Hirsh's Shoes building and the Ball-Paylore House, along with support for preservation of the San Pedro Chapel.
Archive and research resource
Preservation archives
A collection of books, historic documents, photographs, and research materials concerning Tucson architecture, Arizona history, historic preservation, horticulture, and landscape architecture, maintained to support research and public use.
Cultural program
Historic-film preservation programs
Programs supporting the preservation, restoration, and screening of early silent films made in Tucson and Southern Arizona, helping connect built-environment preservation with regional film history.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Tucson Modernism Week
Tucson · Southern Arizona
An annual educational initiative presenting Tucson's modernist architecture and design heritage to the public.
Outcome. The program continues as a recurring foundation activity.
- Southern Arizona silent-film preservation
Tucson · Southern Arizona
A program of restoration and public screenings focused on early silent films made in Tucson and the surrounding region, including The Mine with the Iron Door and Ridin' Wild.
Outcome. The work helped bring regional silent-film heritage back to public attention.
- Historic neon-sign preservation
Tucson
Advocacy and preservation work aimed at saving Tucson's historic neon signs as elements of the city's commercial and visual heritage.
Outcome. The foundation contributed to efforts that preserved and elevated awareness of historic neon signage.
Brand decisions
2019
Save and restore the Ball-Paylore HouseOtherBackground
The foundation pursued direct stewardship of another significant Tucson historic property.
Action taken
It purchased, saved, and restored the Ball-Paylore House.
Aftermath
The restored property became an example of the foundation's hands-on preservation role.
2016
Acquire the Hirsh's Shoes buildingOtherBackground
The historic commercial building at 2934 East Broadway Boulevard required direct intervention to prevent its loss.
Action taken
The foundation purchased the building and incorporated it into its preservation work.
Aftermath
The acquisition helped save the building as a part of Tucson's historic built environment.
2011
Launch Tucson Modernism WeekProduct launchBackground
The foundation sought to broaden public engagement with Tucson's architectural heritage beyond individual endangered buildings.
Action taken
It created an annual educational program centered on modernist architecture and design.
Aftermath
Tucson Modernism Week became a continuing public-education program managed by the foundation.
2008
Restructure the dormant organizationStrategyBackground
After becoming dormant in the early 1990s, the foundation needed a renewed organizational structure and active board.
Action taken
Under Demion Clinco's leadership, the foundation was restructured and a new board was established.
Aftermath
The organization resumed preservation advocacy, education, public programming, and property-related work.
Recent events
- 2019
Ball-Paylore House saved and restored[1]
Other
The foundation acquired, preserved, and restored the Ball-Paylore House as part of its direct historic-property stewardship.
- 2016
Foundation acquires Hirsh's Shoes building[1]
Other
The foundation purchased the Hirsh's Shoes building at 2934 East Broadway Boulevard, preserving a threatened Tucson commercial landmark.
- 2011
Tucson Modernism Week launched[1]
Campaign · Product launch
The foundation introduced an annual educational program focused on Tucson's modernist architecture and design heritage.
- 2008
Foundation restructured after dormant period[1]
Leadership change
The organization was reorganized under Demion Clinco's leadership and established a new board, reviving its preservation and public-education activities.
- 1985
Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation established[1]
Other
A new nonprofit was created in response to the demolition of historic Tucson buildings, with an initial mission to acquire, maintain, and preserve endangered properties.
Sources1 sources
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