The Dilbeck Architecture Conservancy Launches With an Extraordinary Tour

No city loves Charles Stevens Dilbeck’s architecture more than Dallas. Despite being born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and spending his early years in Tulsa, Dallas treats Dilbeck as if he were a native son. Now, we have The Dilbeck Architecture Conservancy proving just how much he belongs to us. 

To bring some clarity to the importance of this conservancy, rarely are architects honored in this way. Can you name any other architect who has a foundation, trust, or conservancy for their work besides Frank Lloyd Wright? 

The fact that Dallas has a dedicated group of fans known as Dilbeckians who were passionate enough about his work to create a conservancy speaks volumes. It also elevates the significance of historic preservation in Dallas to a new level.

The Dilbeck Architecture Conservancy means not only are the eyes of Texas upon us, but the eyes of the nation are also upon us. What we do from now on to preserve our historic buildings and residences has suddenly become much more visible.  

The Dilbeck Conservancy is dedicated to the preservation of Dilbeck’s architectural legacy through advocacy, documentation, and education.

The Dilbeck Architecture Conservancy

To kick off the public launch of the Dilbeck Architecture Conservancy, the board had the talented Kristin Atwell and her team at Atwell Design create a magnificent website. Then they managed to pull off something truly extraordinary. They have assembled a rare tour of four Dilbeck-designed homes on Shenandoah, coined the Four Sisters, by leading Dilbeck authority Willis Winters. 

Many of you may know that architect Winters had a distinguished career at the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department and has been a driving force behind the Dilbeck Architecture Conservancy. Although he has retired from civic life, his work continues as he dedicates his time to finishing his book on Charles Dilbeck’s legacy.

“The houses were not built for sisters but are architectural sisters and next-door neighbors essentially, so calling them the Four Sisters seemed like the appropriate characterization,” Winters said. “It’s a unique situation. I’m not aware of an intersection anywhere that has four significant distinctive houses designed by the same architect and built by the same builder. To have all four fully restored and available at one time to tour is really remarkable.”

Nancy McCoy, president of the Dilbeck Architecture Conservancy, wanted the first event to be something that would put the conservancy on the map.

“We felt like there was no better tour possible than doing the Four Sisters,” McCoy said. “It took a while to get the homeowners aligned to do it at the same time. Margaret Ryder was the catalyst for putting the tour together, as were Katherine Seale and Kyle Crews.”  

This tour is particularly fitting as 2024 marks the centennial of Dilbeck’s first house he designed in Tulsa.

If you missed out on a ticket, I encourage you to become a friend of the Dilbeck Architecture Conservancy so you won’t miss out on any of the upcoming events!