This non-formal program will cover a variety of topics related to historic preservation as experienced over a 25 year career by local preservation architect Mark A. Thacker, AIA. The content is expected to be both light hearted and lightly technical; it is for all ages and should be somewhat entertaining. For some, it may bring back memories of a few old local buildings of the past.

Mark Thacker is a preservation architect by profession and serves as a member of the Texas Archaeological Stewards Network, a program of the Texas Historical Commission. Mark is a lifelong resident of Smith County and received his architectural education at Texas A&M University. He is a registered architect and owner of his own architectural firm which is located in Lindale. His designs across East Texas have entailed projects as small as a chicken coup to as large as a multi-story Courthouse restoration. A wide variety of project types have included schools, Churches, office buildings, jails and work on historic sites.

Mark has a background in civil and structural engineering but chose the architectural path, having practiced as a registered architect for over 25 years. His love of history, archaeology and architecture resulted in his focus on preservation architecture. Much of Mark’s preservation work is governed by the Texas Historical Commission. Over the years he has built professional relationships with THC staff in both the architecture and archaeology departments. Mark serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Tyler teaching historic preservation. Mark, and his wife of 32 years Dana, have two grown daughters and are a family with an appreciation of the past.