We’re excited to announce the establishment of the Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) Legacy Endowment in partnership with the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. Setting aside $50,000 of our savings is just the beginning. This fund is all about securing our longevity and ensuring RAP is here to meet the current and future needs of this neighborhood for generations to come. As of January 2025, with your help, we’ve raised just over $100,000 for our endowment.

Riverside and Avondale is a treasure trove of history, art, and culture – a place where generations have built memories, families, and a vibrant community. The RAP Legacy Endowment is our commitment to preserving this unique area’s character, beauty, and legacy.

Investing in RAP today preserves the groundwork that has been built over the last 50 years. Every contribution builds a lasting legacy. Join us in honoring the past, celebrating the present, and investing in our future.

50 Years of Riverside Avondale Preservation

  • 1974: RAP founded by 150 residents to save historic structures. First membership dues: 25¢. Inaugural Home Tour and Fourth of July Picnic. 
  • 1975: First Executive Director hired. Riverside Arts Festival launched. RAP blocks freeway construction through Riverside. 
  • 1977: Station Celebration fundraiser raises $45,000 for historic preservation efforts.
  • 1980: RAP membership reaches 2,000, strengthening efforts to stop harmful zoning.
  • 1984: Inaugural Luminaria event becomes an annual tradition. 
  • 1985: Riverside was listed as a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989, Avondale was added.
  • 1990: Jacksonville Historic Preservation Ordinance passed. RAP saves a dozen historic homes. 
  • 1991: RAP headquarters established at the Buckland House. 
  • 1998: RADO formed to restore historic homes and provide affordable housing. Local historic district designation secured. 
  • 2008: Riverside Arts Market (RAM) debuts. Zoning overlay enacted to protect the neighborhood. 
  • 2010: Riverside Avondale named a Top 10 Neighborhood in the U.S. by the American Planning Association. 
  • 2016: RAP builds the Riverside Avondale Community Garden and the John Gorrie Dog Park 
  • 2018: RAP launches ReLeaf, planting 350 trees in public spaces. 
  • 2024: Home Tour celebrates 50 years. Inaugural Music Tour introduced, expanding cultural programming.

Today, we add another milestone to our history as an organization: launching the RAP Legacy Endowment Fund with The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida. This endowment helps to ensure that our parks, historic landmarks, local businesses, and public spaces continue to thrive for years to come. Further investing in RAP preserves the groundwork that has been built over the last 50 years, ensuring we can continue to respond to the needs of the community in the future. 

Thank you to the individuals who helped to fuel this effort:

  • The Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund
  • Kip and Ann Strasma
  • Alysa Carmichael
  • Angela Schifanella
  • Debra and Kenneth DeLor
  • Gillian and Roi Dagan
  • Jeff and Kathy Graf
  • Jim Schwarz and Trisha Meili
  • Kim and Bryan Clontz
  • Mike Langton
  • Perry and Cyndy Reynolds
  • Stephanie and Tom Welchans
  • Angela DeMonbreun
  • Ben and Melissa White
  • Brooks Andrews and Cathie Clark
  • Lane Architecture
  • Jim Busch
  • Michael and Beth Kirwan
  • Mike and Debi Pyne
  • Randy and Allison DeFoor
  • Maggie and Drew Thoeni
  • Alexandra Rudnick
  • Andrea and Chris LeDew
  • Martha Ira
  • Mary Coleman
  • Vince and Susan Ober
  • Warren and Faith Jones
  • Glenn Chandler
  • Chelsea Hamilton and Mike Kovacs
  • Ophelia Ferrell
  • Diane Hale

“Neighborhoods designed and maintained at a human scale promote a healthy and thriving community.  RAP has taken the lead in the rehabilitation and preservation of the unique architecture, tree-lined streets, and parks of Riverside and Avondale for the last 50 years.   RAP continues to be instrumental in building and maintaining a sense of community.   RAP events like RAM, and Luminaria help showcase the community and attract thousands of visitors to support the many thriving independent businesses that are woven into the neighborhood.

I am pleased to support Riverside Avondale Preservation with a grant to honor its 50th anniversary and was excited to learn that it will allow them to kick off their endowment efforts to help RAP continue to preserve and celebrate the unique community and architectural history for another 50 years.” – Delores Barr Weaver

To join them, visit our website to contribute to this campaign today. Contact Casey with questions about our endowment efforts.