The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach was born in 1980 out of a simple but urgent truth: if no one stepped forward, the architectural and cultural soul of Palm Beach could be lost forever.
By the 1970s, the town’s great early twentieth-century mansions—once dazzling symbols of Palm Beach’s rise—were being dismissed as outdated. Developers saw profit where others saw heritage, and one by one, treasures were threatened with demolition. In response, the Town of Palm Beach established a Landmarks Commission in 1979 and adopted a preservation ordinance to protect its most important buildings. But the work needed more—more voices, more advocacy, more vision.
Within a year, a group of determined citizens came together to create a private charitable foundation dedicated to protecting Palm Beach’s history and educating its community about the value of preservation. On January 15, 1980, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Inc. was officially incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida.
EARLY LEADERS
The Foundation’s first leaders were pioneers of preservation. LaBaron S. Willard, Jr., among the first Landmarks Commissioners and later the Foundation’s inaugural President, embodied the bridge between public action and private commitment. Ambassador Earl E.T. Smith (1903–1991), former Mayor of Palm Beach and deeply respected across the community, served as the Foundation’s first Chairman. His persistence and eloquence before the Town Council laid the groundwork for the preservation standards Palm Beach treasures today.
Building a Legacy
Since those early days, the generosity of hundreds of Palm Beachers has fueled the Foundation’s work. Together, we have:
- Saved the town’s oldest home, Sea Gull Cottage
- Raised funds to restore the historic Town Hall
- Created Earl E.T. Smith Park
- Established a county-wide Heritage Education program for fourth-grade students
- Restored the Little Red Schoolhouse, the oldest one-room schoolhouse in Southeast Florida, now a living history classroom
- Built Pan’s Garden, a sanctuary of native plants and butterflies in the heart of town
Beyond projects, the Foundation has safeguarded open space, strengthened neighborhood zoning, and championed preservation through easements, education, and advocacy. Millions of dollars have been invested in saving Palm Beach’s landmarks—ensuring that future generations inherit not just a town, but a living legacy.
