New president takes helm at GHF

Editor’s note: Cheryl Vaiani was installed as the new president of the Galveston Historical Foundation on Friday. This column is adapted from her speech at the foundation’s annual meeting.

The Galveston Historical Foundation is the proud steward for the Elissa, the Samuel May Williams house, the Bishop’s Palace, the Custom House, Ashton Villa, Garten Verein, St Joseph’s Church and the Menard House.

Each of these historic treasures is part of the heritage of our island, state and country. GHF events such as Dickens on The Strand, the Historic Homes Tour and the Galveston Rebirth Race bring visitors and business to the area.

GHF preservation services and resources work to preserve and revitalize Galveston’s historic neighborhoods and buildings. In some way, all these activities are educational — to teach the young, the old, residents and visitors the importance of knowing and preserving our past.

As Robert Penn Warren stated, “History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future.”

Our future presents both challenge and opportunity. Our city and the Galveston Historical Foundation have survived the ravages of Hurricane Ike, and in many ways, we are stronger, more dedicated, and more resilient than we were before. But there is much work remaining.

As (outgoing President) David Bowers mentioned, in an exciting start to this year, on Jan. 5, the ownership of Galveston’s 1861 Custom House was transferred to Galveston Historical Foundation from the federal government, which has continuously owned the property since 1857.

GHF has maintained its headquarters in the building since 1999. ...

I feel privileged and honored to follow in the footsteps of so many leaders: David Bowers, Ray Lewis, Tom Schwenk, Bets Anderson, Carolyn Clyburn, Sally Robinson, Larry Wygant and many others, who have taught me much and inspired me even more. ...

Join our organization, donate your time as a volunteer, or make a financial donation to our mission. Attend our green training program, come to see the wonderful display of quilts in the Custom House, visit our Green Revival house, begin seamanship training on the Elissa, take one of our neighborhood walking tours, or join us as we celebrate the publication of our most recent book, Brian Davis’ “Lost Galveston.” I promise you challenge and opportunity and welcome your participation.

Cheryl Vaiani is an assistant professor in the Institute for Medical Humanities and a clinical ethicist in the Institutional Ethics Service at the University of Texas Medical Branch.