Trustee Emeritus Spotlight: Clay Henderson
Passion Projects: Clay Henderson’s Historic Preservation Career
Although best known for his water and land conservation work, Clay Henderson‘s first passion was history and historic preservation. A sixth-generation Floridian, his roots run deep in our state. He’s held seven gubernatorial council, commission or board appointments, written three books and held five teaching positions at four universities in the state, most something to do with Florida environments including planning, science, activism, water policy, the law and don’t forget the birds. But Henderson is proud of his historic preservation accomplishments.
He has also been a tremendous benefit to our organization. The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation values Henderson serving twice on the board, as president, as past president and now Trustee Emeritus – as a respected advisor. During his tenure he was instrumental in creating our easement program which now flourishes. This easement program saved the Miami Inn from the Florida Department of Transportation’s planned bridge expansion as the Florida Trust had the right to protect the building. The 11 to Save program, then called 11 Most Endangered, was also established under Henderson’s leadership. This program annually recognizes endangered historic places, bringing them much needed attention in order to begin their preservation journeys. For all this, Henderson was awarded the Florida Trust’s highest honor for historic preservation – The Legacy Award in 2022 – a point of pride.
“It was wonderful to learn from Clay, he was an excellent leader who listened to his Board and asked for discussion on items that were for the “good of the order” in the most literal sense,” Past President and Trustee Emerita Friederike Mittner said. “He remained introspective until a passionate item was debated where he educated us not just on the legal issues but Florida’s legislative foundation on the topic. He holistically cares for the State of Florida, its environmental and built heritage. I believe his favorite sites are those that contained both those elements that he then captured in his talented photography.”
Early in his legal career, as the City Attorney for Edgewater, Florida, Henderson helped the historic 1910 Hawk’s Park Club reincorporate and thus gain funding for much needed renovation. The town of Hawk’s Park was established as a home for freed enslaved people just after the Civil War, then renamed Edgewater. The Hawk’s Park Club was a focal point for the community, but ownership was unclear. Years later, the club leaders approached the City for confirmation. It was determined the City was not the owner, the Club was, but no record of incorporation had been filed with the state. Henderson met the leaders at the Club to hunt for clues. Hiding in plain sight was a framed original resolution from the state legislature confirming The Hawk’s Park Club as a “corporation sole” in 1905.1 After Henderson filed a circuit court action, the Hawk’s Park Club secured funds, renovated and remains a functioning historic community center.
Henderson had a hand in incorporating the Southeast Volusia Historical Society, helped gain Certified Local Government status for New Smyrna Beach, worked to develop a historic preservation ordinance and historic preservation commission there and contributed to the application that awarded National Register Historic District status for New Smyrna Beach. Additionally, he troubleshot the Riverview Hotel preservation by acting as a liaison with the building department.
As Volusia County Councilman, Henderson supported DeLand becoming a Main Street program, the restoration of the 1929 historic Volusia County Courthouse and creating the historic preservation ordinance and historic preservation commission that followed. Henderson was among those who negotiated with the county to include historic preservation into the ECHO (environment, cultural, historic preservation and outdoor restoration) bond issue that passed and was renewed, restoring multiple projects.
In 2001, sitting on a 21-member advisory committee, Henderson worked to solve the Stiltsville issue in Biscayne Bay – save or demolish? These buildings still stand. It was the fourth attempt, this time with Henderson wielding the pen that Doris “Doc” Leeper’s house in Canaveral National Seashore made it onto the National Register of Historic Places.
