Elisabet Ney Museum In Austin Wins $150K Grant

AUSTIN, TX — The Elisabet Ney Museum in Austin has secured a $150,000 grant as part of the national 2019 Partners in Preservation campaign, officials announced on Wednesday.

Created in 2006, Partners in Preservation is a community-based partnership from National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express to engage the public in preserving historic places, officials explained.

All told, officials said, 19 other historic sites participated in the public voting campaign to win a share of $2 million in preservation funding from American Express. The Elisabet Ney Museum won $150,000 to restore the homestead’s 18 exterior doors and preserve the building for future generations to come, according to a press advisory.

Related story: Austin Museum Competes For $2M In Grants

The award was the culmination of a robust, 5-week campaign for the museum, its officials told Patch. More than 1 million votes were cast online and at on-site events by people across the country in selecting the winners, officials noted.

This year’s Partners in Preservation campaign placed special emphasis on historic buildings and sites that celebrate the contributions of women in communities across America to honor the upcoming 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote.

"We are inspired by the record high levels of community support and engagement at each of the 20 sites, helping to raise awareness for the contributions women have made to our country,” American Express Foundation President Timothy J. McClimon said in a prepared statement. “The energy of this campaign is exemplified by the top 13 sites,which each play an important role in the story of their local communities. Seeing these communities rally around such vital institutions strengthens our dedication to preserving these special places."

The Elisabet Ney Museum is located at 304 E. 44th St. According to information found in a municipal website, the museum is the former studio and portrait collection created by 19th century sculptor Elisabet Ney. The museum offers a range of educational programs, exhibits, special events, workshops and lectures throughout the year.

The other grant winners are:

• Janesville, Wisconsin | Janesville Woman's Club Building.
• Savannah, Georgia | Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace.
• Astoria, Oregon | Odd Fellows Building.
• West Chester, Pennsylvania | Chester County Historical Society.
• Monroeville, Alabama | Monroe County Courthouse.
• Holly, Michigan | Holly Union Depot.
• Staten Island, New York | Casa Belvedere.
• Salt Lake City, Utah | The Ladies’ Literary Clubhouse.
• Mount Pleasant, Iowa | Union Block.
• Denver, Colorado | Dr. Justina Ford Home.
• Painesville, Ohio | College Hall (Lake Erie College).
• Minneapolis, Minnesota |The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis.