Palm Beach, FL – The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach celebrated its 45th anniversary with a special event at the landmarked Earl E. T. Smith Park in the heart of Palm Beach. The celebration took place on Wednesday, January 15, at 4 p.m. This milestone event honored the Foundation’s rich history and its ongoing efforts to preserve Palm Beach’s architectural and cultural heritage.
The event featured a colorful Flower Flash installation by renowned floral designer Lewis Miller, known for his spontaneous, larger-than-life floral displays that have captivated audiences across the country.
The event at Earl E. T. Smith was a symbolic reminder of the Preservation’s work dedicated to restoring and maintaining public green spaces in the community, such as Earl E. T. Smith Park, Pan’s Garden, Bradley Park and the Phipps Ocean Park project currently underway.
Since its dedication in 1989, Earl E. T. Smith Park has been a cherished community space in Palm Beach, illustrating the Preservation Foundation’s commitment to the creation and preservation of open space in town. Prior to becoming a park, the land was a former gas station which the Foundation purchased and transformed the space into a privately owned, public park that compliments the Town Hall’s historic district.
The park was restored as part of the Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Celebration five years ago.As part of this commitment, the Foundation oversees the operation and underwrites the ongoing maintenance costs in order to provide a unique green oasis for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.
The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach has been a cornerstone of the town’s conservation efforts for over four decades. As the only nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the area’s historic structures and public spaces, the Foundation’s impact has been profound, ensuring that Palm Beach remains a place where history and modernity coexist harmoniously.
“Celebrating 45 years of preserving Palm Beach’s unique legacy is a testament to the dedication of the Foundation and its supporters,” said Betsy Shiverick, Chairman of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. “This event not only reflects on the achievements of the past, but also sets the stage for the future of historic preservation and cultural enrichment in our community.”