The University of Florida’s College of Design, Construction and Planning lost a very influential person, close friend and colleague as Roy Graham passed away on May 29.
Graham joined DCP in 2003 as the Beinecke-Reeves Distinguished Professor and Director for Historic Preservation. He helped create the Master of Historic Preservation in 2008 and developed the Ph.D. historic preservation concentration.
He was instrumental in the University of Florida taking management of state-owned properties in St. Augustine and helping establish Historic St. Augustine, Inc. and, now, Preservation Institute St. Augustine.
“With Roy’s vision and leadership, the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Florida solidified its place as a leader in the field of historic preservation education,” UF Historic Preservation Program Director Marty Hylton said. “His decades of domestic and international experience expanded the program’s teaching and research and connected students and faculty with a global community of heritage specialists. On a personal note, he was a mentor and friend and will be greatly missed.”
While at DCP, Graham established the Beinecke Reeves Distinguished Achievement Award, which was created in 2004 to honor professionals and organizations who most embody the “Spirit of Historic Preservation” in Florida and beyond.
Graham was honored with this award in 2005 in recognition of his many years of teaching, research and practice and his work to help steward heritage sites ranging from Colonial Williamsburg to the Texas State Capitol. The award also acknowledged his role in creating the HP Master Program here at DCP.
With a focus on community engagement, students in Graham’s Historic Preservation Practicum class helped document and study Florida neighborhoods like Lincolnville in St. Augustine and Hyde Park in Tampa.
He also led a group of students to collaborate with the World Monuments Fund to address recovery of historic buildings and communities in New Orleans and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.
Established in 2015 by Hylton and his husband, Mike Hastings, the Roy Eugene Graham Fund will help support international activities and students. In May, the Graham Fund received a generous gift of $100,000 from long-time UF Historic Preservation Board of Advocates member Sue Gaintner.
You can read Graham’s obituary here.