129 replies to this topic

[ashivone]

Don't know anything about that, but I just have to say - no matter how often I look at that building, I can't stop thinking about how amazing it is. Stunning!

My brother had his wedding reception their and it was the coolest venue for a reception that I've ever been to. Everyone there (mostly out of towners) could not stop commenting on how beautiful the building was.

[seurto]

BEAUTIFUL early morning pix!! That light brings out such depth and warmth in the color and texture and really shows it off well. Really puts life back into it. Wonderful thank you for sharing.

[cberen1]

I was driving by the other day and couldn't figure out what the roof is made of. Anyone have any ideas? It almost looks like a glazed ceramic. Odd, glossy sheen.

[seurto]

The roof is a type of glazed tile that originally came from Italy I believe. When there was roof damage (I'm thinking the Hail Storm of '95), they had to order those tiles special made as after 100 years, the original maker wasn't around. I'm sure John can correct me if I'm mistaken on that.

[John T Roberts]

I do have some updates on Thistle Hill. Historic Fort Worth is trying to make some emergency repairs to the home so that we can hold a Designer's Showhouse in the fall. We will be having some fundraisers for the house throughout the year. I do want to reassure everyone the home is in good hands with our organization. If you feel the need to donate some money, please contact Historic Fort Worth, Inc.

Suerto, you are correct on the roofing tiles.

[Lori]

I have always been intrigued by this house. The owner of the company I work for is married to one of Electra Waggoner Wharton's descendants, and he has told me a few stories about the family. If Historic Fort Worth is still actively working on restoring this house, I would love to volunteer...who would I call?

[McHand]

Hi Lori! Yes, Thistle Hill is amazing. Give Historic Fort Worth, Inc. a call (link above) and they should be able to help you.

[John T Roberts]

 This press release was just issued by Historic Fort Worth, Inc.  I have been sitting on this for several months, sworn to secrecy.

 

HISTORIC FORT WORTH, INC. GIFTS THISTLE HILL TO COOK CHILDREN'S

 

Sixteen years ago HFW accepted Thistle Hill as a gift from another charity.

 

Thistle Hill's 12,000 sq. ft. main house, tea house, pergola, and rare carriage house built for horses, cars and carriages, will soon be utilized for meetings and programs to enhance the quality of life for children. 

 

This triple-landmarked, 1903 cattle baron mansion, was the home of A.B. Wharton and ranch heiress Electra Waggoner Wharton. This gift harkens Cook Children's back to its 1918 founding gift from ranch owners I.M. Cook. Rick W. Merrill, President and CEO of Cook Children's Health Care System, states, "We appreciate this unparalleled opportunity to reconnect to our ranching heritage by preserving Thistle Hill for generations to come."

 

Gail Landreth, the HFW board member who led the gift committee, reflects, "Since receiving Thistle Hill as a gift in 2006, HFW has raised the funds to restore the mansion's interior, the pergola, and the 1500 square foot front porch terrace. Moreover, the attic was stabilized with a steel beam, the HVAC system was replaced, and the west-facing service porch was rebuilt. In addition, with its new restroom and a gently-sloping ramp that wraps around two sides of the building, the mansion is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Thistle Hill and Cook Children's future together is bright." 

 

All booked rentals are confirmed and tours of Thistle Hill will continue through December, 2022. 
(Regular tours of Thistle Hill and McFarland House are scheduled at these days and times.)
Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday: 11:00, 12:00, 1:00 & 2:00. (2:00 is the last tour at both houses.
Sundays: 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00 (3:00 is the last tour at both houses.)

Group tours may be arranged by calling 817.332-5875. 

For additional information on HFW events, membership and tours, go to www.HistoricFortWorth.org
 

[JBB]

This may seem like a dumb question, but are there terms in the donation that protect the house and surrounding buildings from demolition?

[John T Roberts]

First of all, let's talk about actual historic designations and their protections.  Thistle Hill is designated at all levels: National, State, and Local.

 

National Register of Historic Places - a ceremonial designation that offers no protection against demolition.  However, if Federal Tax Credits are used, then there are protections and all projects are reviewed by the Texas Historical Commission acting as representatives of the National Park Service and Federal Government.

 

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - another ceremonial designation that offers no protection against demolition.  However, if State Tax Credits are used, then there are protections and more restrictions at the state level.  The THC has more oversight as a state agency than they do when acting on behalf of the NPS.

 

City of Fort Worth Historic & Cultural Landmark - the only level of designation that offers legal protection against demolition.  City also offers tax credits, which the Historic & Cultural Landmarks Commission and the City's Historic Preservation Officer oversees.  Any changes to the building will be reviewed by City Staff, the HPO, and the Landmarks Commission.  These changes will be heard in a public meeting by the Landmarks Commission.

 

In addition to all of these, there are several easements, deed restrictions, and other legal requirements set forth to protect the Main House, the Carriage House, and all other physical improvements on the site.  The landmark designation with the city is described in meets and bounds and is defined as the legal boundary of the property, so the designation protects everything that is permanent, like the pergola and the perimeter wall.  Note: the perimeter wall is in dire need of repair.

[JBB]

I guess I should have worded my question better before you typed out that long response.  I understand the national, state, and local levels of protection (thanks to being on this forum for 20 or so years).  I was thinking more along the lines of a deed restriction should the other protections somehow fail (hey, anything is possible).

[John T Roberts]

These legal items that I mentioned do exist on the property to guarantee that the house will be preserved.  These easements, deed restrictions, covenants, etc. were placed on the house long before Historic Fort Worth took over and before it was given to Cook Children's Hospital.  I'm glad that you have learned about the government protections available for historic properties. 

 

I believe the legal protections that have been put on the property by all of the previous owners basically ensure that anything that Cook Children's does to the property, they will have to get permission from the THC before they start the work.

[Austin55]

Did Historic Fort Worth install automatic fire sprinklers during their ownership?

You know, just in case

[John T Roberts]

Austin, I don't think we did. 

[Dylan]

 This press release was just issued by Historic Fort Worth, Inc.  I have been sitting on this for several months, sworn to secrecy.

 

HISTORIC FORT WORTH, INC. GIFTS THISTLE HILL TO COOK CHILDREN'S

 

Oh no!

[youngalum]

"All booked rentals are confirmed and tours of Thistle Hill will continue through December, 2022"

 

So what happens next year, are there not going to be any more tours. etc.?

[John T Roberts]

Youngalum, what happens next year will be entirely up to Cook Children's Hospital.  Historic Fort Worth's management ends on December 31.  The deed restrictions on the property state that the house must be open to the public a minimum of 6 days per year.  The Texas Historical Commission will have the final determination on what Cook proposes for being "open to the public".

[John T Roberts]

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has finally picked up on the transfer of Thistle Hill from Historic Fort Worth, Inc. to Cook Children's Hospital.  The article was written by Harrison Mantas.

 

https://www.star-tel...e264692704.html

[John T Roberts]

The Fort Worth Report now has an article regarding the gift of Thistle Hill to Cook Children's Hospital.

 

https://fortworthrep...storic-mansion/

[John T Roberts]

The Fort Worth Business Press finally picked up on the donation.

 

https://fortworthbus...k-childrens/

[Stadtplan]

I accidentally deleted my previous post about Thistle Hill renovation permit filed by www.brenthull.com (https://hullworks.com/) on Accela, but it posted to TDLR at $3.77M with scope of work details:

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023026739

Project Name:
Thistle Hill Restoration and Repair
Project Number:
TABS2023026739
Facility Name:
Thistle Hill Historic Home and Carriage House
Location Address:
1509 Pennsylvania Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76104
Location County:
Tarrant
Start Date:
9/15/2023
Completion Date:
10/15/2024
Estimated Cost: $3,770,000
Type of Work: Renovation/Alteration
Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.
Scope of Work:
Minor structural repairs, window & door restoration, brick and stone masonry repair and restoration, roof replacement, wood soffits and fascia repair and restoration, landscape wall structural repairs.
Square Footage: 15,263 ft 2
Are the private funds provided by the tenant? No

OWNER
Owner Name:
W. I. Cook Foundation, Inc.
Owner Address:
801 7th Ave. Attn: Construction and Real Estae Facilities
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Contact Name:
Ryan Cloutier

TENANT
Not Assigned

DESIGN FIRM
Design Firm Name:
Norman Alston Architects
Design Firm Address:
506 Monte Vista Dr.
Dallas, Texas 75223

[Austin55]

Brent Hull is documenting the restoration. You can watch for free, after a couple ads, here: https://buildshownet...tion-brent-hull

[Stadtplan]

Commercial Remodel Permits Filed:

 

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

Project Description:

THISTLE HILL PROJECT (MAIN HOUSE)

Repair damaged and missing soffits, fascia boards and trim with matching material; restore historic windows; roofing and repoint and repair masonry where needed on both the individually designated mansion and the carriage house where needed

Job Value($): $3,101,249.00

Use: Assembly

Specific Use: Meeting Hall

 

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

Project Description:

THISTLE HILL PROJECT (CARRIAGE HOUSE)

Repair damaged and missing soffits, fascia boards and trim with matching material; restore historic windows; roofing and repoint and repair masonry where needed on both the individually designated mansion and the carriage house where needed

Job Value($): $1,615,729.00

Use: Assembly

Specific Use: Museum or Zoo

 

Owner: HISTORIC FORT WORTH INC

[John T Roberts]

The owner information is now incorrect.  For the record these items listed were on our master list of things to be fixed or repaired on the mansion and carriage house.

[Stadtplan]

What is the off chance the carriage house would be used for a museum or a zoo?  

[John T Roberts]

Zoo, no way.  Museum, yes.  The house was a museum and a meeting place when Historic Fort Worth owned it.  Actually, the Carriage House is a museum in itself.  It is one of two in the State of Texas that is a transitional carriage house, meaning is was built for both horse drawn carriages and horseless carriages.  HFW also rented out the carriage house for events.

[Stadtplan]

Zoo, no way.  Museum, yes.  The house was a museum and a meeting place when Historic Fort Worth owned it.  Actually, the Carriage House is a museum in itself.  It is one of two in the State of Texas that is a transitional carriage house, meaning is was built for both horse drawn carriages and horseless carriages.  HFW also rented out the carriage house for events.

I missed this tidbit: the mansions carriage house is the perfect discovery zone for kids.

Maybe some exhibits and a petting zoo would be fun. Some therapy animals maybe.

[John T Roberts]

That use would all depend on what the Texas Historical Commission would allow.  There are many deed restrictions on the property.  However, there are stables inside the carriage house for the horses. 

[Stadtplan]

Appears to be a major re-roofing project underway at Thistle Hill:

 

Record HCLC-23-381: 

Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission

Record Status: In Review

 

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Project Description:

Roof Repair/Replacement

Roof repair and replacement of existing tiles with similar materials/colors

1. Re-roofing of both the carriage house and main house with material to match historic in type, profile and color. 2. Repair of damaged and missing soffits, fascia boards and trim with material to match historic in type, profile and paint color.

[John T Roberts]

These items were on HFW's list of some $3 to spend on restoring the house when we took over the operations in 2006.  Back then, we didn't have that much money to spend at one time on restoration, so we phased in the projects based on the most immediate need.