Bart Truxillo was born in Louisiana but educated in Houston. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School where he was on the honor roll and a cheerleader. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1965, with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and went on to do graduate work.
He was one of the earliest of the new wave people to move to the Houston Heights in the early seventies. He purchased and carefully restored the large 1893 Queen Anne Stick Victorian home at Harvard and 18th street in which he still resides. It was listed in 1983 on the National Register of Historic Places, and starting in 1976 with the Rice Design Alliance Tour it has been open on tour on a regular basis for various non-profit organizations.
This historic home and garden has been featured in many local and national publications. In 1984, it was listed in the A.S.I.D. Historical Interior Survey.
In 1968, Bart renovated the 1910 Magnolia Brewery Building at 715 Franklin Street in the Main Street Market Square Historic District. It is also in the National Register of Historic Places. The Magnolia Ballroom on the second floor, is a popular and romantic place for special events.
He is co-founder, past chair and Director Emeritus of the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance. In 2000, he was awarded the Preservation Alliances' Good Brick Award. He was also editor of the book "Last of the Past" that was published by the GHPA.
He is two time President and multiple term director of the Houston Heights Association. In 1987, the HHA named him "Citizen of the Year" for his efforts as director of the Heights Museum Collection as well as his other extensive volunteer work. On April 26, 1987, the then Mayor Kathy Whitmire, proclaimed the day as "Bart Truxillo Day" in the City of Houston.
Bart sits on the Board of the Art Colony Association that produces the non-profit bi-annual Bayou City Arts Festival located at Memorial Park in the spring and around City Hall in the fall.
His alma mater, The University of Houston College of Architecture honored him in 1999 with the Alumni Award for Community Development.
Bart also serves on the Houston Archeological and Historic Commission of the City of Houston, where he is immediate past chair.
He is self-employed as a developer, property manager, designer and preservation architect. He writes a column on preservation issues for Houston House and Home magazine. He is most proud of his second place award in the Art Car Parade sponsored by the Orange Show Foundation. |
Bart Truxillo, Owner