San Antonio Conservation Society
Headquarters
Anton Wulff House |
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| Formation | March 22, 1924 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Historic preservation |
| Location |
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| Coordinates | 29°25′03″N 98°29′26″W / 29.417561°N 98.490454°WCoordinates: 29°25′03″N 98°29′26″W / 29.417561°N 98.490454°W |
| Website | San Antonio Conservation Society |
The San Antonio Conservation Society (SACS) is located in the Bexar County city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas. Founding members were Emily Edwards, who became the organization's first president, and Rena Maverick Green. The organization was formed on March 22, 1924, and officially incorporated on July 8, 1925. SACS is currently headquartered in the Anton Wulff House, which they saved from destruction in 1974. The home was built 1869–1870 by German immigrant Anton Wulff, who became the city's first Park Commissioner.
They actively endeavor to educate the public about San Antonio's history. SACS has been responsible for saving many city structures from destruction. This includes several properties in La Villita and the King William Historic District which are owned, or have been owned, by SACS. At a cost of $325,000 in 1988, SACS had the Daniel J. Sullivan Stable and Carriage House, designed by Alfred Giles in 1896, re-assembled at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The house re-opened in 1995 at the entrance to the garden.
A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) is the organization's annual event to raise funds for historic preservation within the city. SACS partners with the city to purchase and restore historic structures. The organization also awards restoration-rehabilitation grants to individuals and organizations. Over the last dozen years, the festival has enabled SACS to award almost $2 million in grants.
It had its beginning in 1936 as the Indian Harvest Festival. Held at the newly restored Mission San José, the original celebration centered on an historic recreation of the lives of the mission's Indians. In 1940, the event was transformed into the River Jubilee to celebrate the beautification of the San Antonio River. Joining the city's Fiesta San Antonio in 1945, Mary Vance Green was the chairperson in 1948 when the event was officially named A Night in Old San Antonio. That year, the theme had been the city under the Republic of Texas. The celebration had been a one-night event until 1954 when a second night was added. Two years later, SACS added a third night, and by 1958, it became a four-night event. Attendance realized 100,000 by 1976, and realized a profit exceeding $500,000 by 1985. It has attracted such large crowds that SACS has engaged the use of an armored truck to transport the event's money to the bank.
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