Our Mission:

In 1988 a concerned group of Brevard County Citizens met at the Porcher House to form a countywide historic preservation council. By February 1989, they organized the Brevard County Preservation Council, under the auspices of the Brevard Museum of Natural Science and History. The first chairman, Toni Vogt, served a partial term with Joan Grever completing it. Other Charter Members were Clifton McClelland, Jack Rood, Jeannette Sullivan, Gene Bjerning, Marcia Denius, Pat Sigmond, Dr. Peter Zies, Robert Hudson, Billie Ann Tadich, Rachel Moehle, Betty LaRoche, Amelia Williams, and Sandi Johnson. During the first year, 1989-90, the Council changed it's name to Brevard County Heritage Council and finally settled on the name it bears today, Brevard Heritage Council, Inc.

Since then, our programs have provided grants, raised public awareness, and advocated local governments to create Historical Commissions to make preservation happen. We encourage the addition of more districts, to Brevard’s seven Historic Districts that are now on the prestigious Nation Register of Historic Places. We promote valuable Historic District tourism in Brevard County through our partnership programs.

These efforts, accompanied by countless hours of hands-on technical consulting, to owners of historic homes, businesses, schools, houses of worship, and theaters. This work revitalizes neighborhoods and preserves the character of our Cities for future generations.

The Brevard Heritage Council makes valuable information available to the public through our newsletter, The Preservation Gazette, home history research and how-to technical guidance. Our Annual Home Tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at some of the Brevard County's great historic homes. We recognize leaders and outstanding restorations, with the Annual Heritage Banner Awards, and create new ambassadors for preservation through our signature Annual Awards gala every year in May.

The Brevard Heritage Council has not achieved success alone. We partner with other preservation organizations, public agencies, the real estate community, construction and design professionals, and a long list of faithful corporate, foundation, and individual supporters.

 

For the past nineteen years the Brevard Heritage Council has organized home tours highlighting historic sections of Brevard County.

BHC Accomplishments

First Organizational Meeting

First Annual Meeting; First By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation

Second Annual Meeting; First Banner Awards were presented

Third Annual Annual Meeting; First Certificate Awards; Completed slide presentation "Brevard County History Through It's Architectural Heritage and Culture Through 1940". Completion and presentation of the Columbus Quincentenary Quilt, first fundraiser – Columbus Quincentenary Celebration; first Home Tour

Fourth Annual Meeting; Scrapbook Project begun. Completed video "Brevard County History Through It's Architectural Heritage and Culture"

Fifth Annual Meeting; First House Tour fundraiser: Indianola House; Historic / Reference File established at the Cocoa Library

Sixth Annual Meeting and Awards; Melbourne Beach Home Tour; completed video: "Settlers to Spacemen, Oranges to Orbiters"; Highland Avenue Tour, Eau Gallie
 
Seventh Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation

Eighth Annual Meeting and Awards; Hosted the Home Tour for the Annual Meeting of the Florida Historical Society; Christmas Candlelight Home Tour; moved Council to Alma Clyde Field Library of Florida History

Ninth Annual Meeting and Awards; Holiday Candlelight Home Tour, Melbourne Beach. Upgrade of Council Plaques

Tenth Annual Meeting and Awards; co-sponsored with the City of Cocoa the presentation of "Historic Preservation Before and After" by the Honorable Joe Riley, Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina. Expanded award categories; started a joint venture with the City of Cocoa for a self guided tour of Cocoa Village

Eleventh Annual Meeting and Awards, hosted a teacher in–service day with Brevard County Teachers to encourage more local history in their curriculum. Cosponsored with the City of Cocoa the first recognition of an historical cemetery, Hilltop Cemetery. Holiday Walking Tour of Barton Avenue, Rockledge

Twelfth Annual Meeting and Awards; coordinated two teacher in-service days with the Alma Clyde Field Library of Florida History; held annual tour "Life Along The River" fundraiser, Rockledge
 
Thirteenth Annual meeting and Awards; hosted annual walking tour, "An Evening in the Park" in Historic Merritt Park Place, Merritt Island; presented second Historic Cemetery Award to La Grange Community Church Cemetery, Titusville

Fourteenth Annual Meeting and Awards; hosted first walking tour in Titusville, along the Indian River, "Home For The Holidays", the largest walking tour to date, with eight properties and a landmark church

Fifteenth Annual Meeting and Awards; sponsored walking tour of Sweet Street, Rockledge; sponsored a walking tour of historic areas in Cocoa Village and published a walking tour guide book of Cocoa Village

Sixteenth Annual Meeting and Awards; cosponsored with Rocket Quilter Guild: Valentine's Day Home Tour of Sweet Street, Rockledge; Granted $500 to Derby Street Chapel Restoration Fund

Seventeenth Annual Meeting and Awards; Co-hosted County wide meeting with Brevard Historic Commission; Hosted “Down By The Riverside” Home Tour in Eau Gallie; Published bi-monthly newsletter to membership; Granted $500 to Pritchard House Foundation for restoration efforts

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information and how you can help, email us -

Info@BrevardHeritageCouncil.org