Wisdom Confirmed
Often cited in support of historic preservation is the following quote by John Kenneth Galbraith: “The preservation movement has one great curiosity. There is never any retrospective controversy or regret. Preservationists are the only people in the world who are invariably confirmed in their wisdom after the fact.”
Indeed, one never hears of the Parthenon or the Coliseum, “That old thing? I knew they should have razed it.”
Such has been the experience, admittedly on a much smaller scale, with Casa Feliz here in Central Florida. The facts of the case are by now well known to locals: the signature Spanish eclectic house designed in 1932 by noted architect James Gamble Rogers II, was saved from demolition in 2000 by private citizens, who raised the funds for the move and restoration of the Winter Park landmark.
It’s important to remember that at the time, even though no taxpayer dollars were used for the project, saving Casa Feliz was extremely controversial. Opponents worried about the implications of the city’s “stay of execution” on property rights. They complained that Winter Park was being handed a white elephant that would never support itself and inevitably command city resources.
These complaints have been quelled by the unequivocal success of Casa Feliz, now operating as an historic home museum and rental location. The comment we hear more than any other when people tour the house is “I can’t believe they were actually going to knock this down.”
In numerous ways, the Spanish farmhouse has enjoyed a resurgence as “Winter Park’s Parlor,” as it was dubbed by original owner Robert Bruce Barbour. Each Tuesday and Thursday morning and Sunday afternoon, the house opens its doors to visitors, who walk through this living monument to superior residential design and craftsmanship, and to the unique architectural history of Winter Park. In March we opened the JGR Studio, which houses the architect’s personal and professional memorabilia, including his antique drafting table and tools and extensive collection of vintage architectural texts.
Casa Feliz pays its bills through event rentals—weddings take place most Friday and Saturday evenings on the grounds of the aptly named “Happy House.” During the week, the house is rented for reduced rates by business and community groups—yoga classes in the carriage house on Tuesday nights; a men’s bible study in the main house on Friday mornings; business receptions and fundraisers for nonprofit groups frequently take place on weeknights.
Casa Feliz has demonstrated that saving and restoring historic properties is a viable business model, in addition to being, like Quaker oats, “the right thing to do.” But what of other residential properties, which, because of zoning or other restrictions, can’t pay for themselves through rentals? Study after study have shown the economic and intangible benefits of preserving historic properties, both for the homeowner and the community. Municipalities that encourage preservation enjoy increased property values and attract tourism, in addition to preserving their historical integrity. The manifold environmental benefits of restoring rather than replacing older homes are well documented.
In December of last year, the house that was nearly destroyed was named to the National Register of Historic Places. It is the mission of the Friends of Casa Feliz that this success story will catalyze future preservation projects throughout our region.
Betsy Rogers Owens is the executive director of the Friends of Casa Feliz, the nonprofit group that restored and operates the property. She is also the granddaughter of the architect.
