The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation (LRJF) is honored to announce that two nationally-recognized assessors: conservator, Ms. Rosa Lowinger and historical structures architect, Mr. William Medellin, will assess the Jackson house and its contents May 5th and 6th.
The visit is funded through a Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) grant from The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC)., an independent conservation agency based in the nation’s capital.
The house was the home of internationally noted author Laura (Riding) Jackson who lived the last half of her life in the historic community of Wabasso, from 1943-1991. The house originally was on land settled in the late 1880s and then homesteaded. The house itself is estimated to have been built in the early 20th Century.
Marie Stiefel, President of the Board of LRJF, noted, “This is a significant step forward in our continuing efforts to care for and honor the personal effects of Laura (Riding) Jackson and her home which is one of two author residence museums in Florida on the registry of the American Writers Museum.”
Jacque Jacobs, Vice-President for Operations of LRJF stated, “The assessors are historical preservationists who can guide the foundation in safeguarding the integrity of the house and the things Mrs. Jackson left behind.”
The pioneering Florida Vernacular house, often called a cracker house, is being preserved by the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation on the Indian River State College – Mueller campus west of 58th Avenue on College Lane in Vero Beach. Also, on the property is a native plants garden and a pole barn.
Anyone who might have materials from the house or Ms. Jackson, is strongly encouraged to contact Ms. Louise Kennedy, Executive Director, at 772-569-6718. The Foundation would very much like to know of their existence and have them assessed if possible.