An inspired collaboration between Walter Beinecke, Jr. and Professor F. Blair Reeves, the Preservation Institute Nantucket (PIN) was established as part of University of Florida’s Historic Preservation Program in 1972 and is the nation’s oldest applied-learning program for historic preservation. Beinecke was an entrepreneur with a vision. His company Sherburne Associates, coupled with his many philanthropic initiatives, including the Nantucket Historical Trust, helped preserve Nantucket’s built and natural environment and establish it as a highly desirable cultural tourism destination. The transformation of Nantucket became a model for marrying preservation and commercial interests.

Over the last fifty years, over 700 participants representing more than 110 institutions have attended the Preservation Institute Nantucket. Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of historic preservation, these students came from a wide array of fields as well as a multitude of American and international institutions. PlN graduates have researched and documented more than 60 of the island’s historic structures, generating a substantial archive that has proven invaluable in stewarding some of the island’s most significant sites.

Thanks to the visionary partnership of Walter Beinecke, Jr. and Blair Reeves, the Preservation Institute Nantucket continues to provide an important leadership role in the community by developing effective strategies for identifying, documenting, preserving, and interpreting the cultural and natural resources of Nantucket.

To honor the work of Mr. Beinecke, the University of Florida Historic Preservation Program has established the Walter Beinecke, Jr. Facilities Endowment. The $1M endowment goal would support the continued efforts of Preservation Institute Nantucket by providing permanent fiscal support for facilities maintenance and enhancements of properties gifted to the University of Florida by Mr. Beinecke, as well as future needs of program facilities.

We hope you will join us in honoring the significant legacy of Walter Beinecke, Jr. by contributing to the facilities endowment. Naming opportunities for the three PIN properties are available to help reach our goal of $1M endowment in Mr. Beinecke’s name.

The University of Florida will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Preservation Institute Nantucket with a weekend long celebration October 7-9, 2022 on Nantucket Island. Supporters of the Walter Beinecke, Jr. Facilities Endowment will be recognized at the celebration dinner.

For information on giving to the facilities endowment, please contact Maggie Drotos, Associate Director of Advancement.