On Tuesday, March 10, Preservation Austin hosted the grand opening of its new headquarters, the McFarland-McBee House, at 3805 Red River. Members, donors, and elected officials celebrated the completion of the multi-year rehabilitation of the 1947 Streamline Moderne landmark.
The opening of the McFarland-McBee House marks a new chapter for Preservation Austin, establishing a home base for programming and advocacy for Austin’s historic places. Expanded programming offerings cover a range of topics, including Austin music history (March 23), preserving LGBTQIA+ heritage (April 10), workshops for homeowners and legacy businesses, plus signature programs such as the annual Homes Tour (April 18-19) and Legacy Business Month.
Festivities included live music by the West Texas Exiles and Andrea Daniela y Su Mariachi. U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett and Austin Council Member Zo Qadri made remarks. Guests enjoyed food from local businesses, including Sam’s BBQ, Mr. Natural, Quality Seafood, Shandeez Grill, and Eden East Farm. The lighting of Preservation Austin’s new neon sign at the corner of Red River and 38 ½ Streets capped the celebration.
“We’re so proud of this project, and what it means for Preservation Austin and for our city. Austin’s historic places anchor our culture and heritage, and face greater threats than ever before,” Lindsey Derrington, Preservation Austin’s executive director, said. “The McFarland-McBee House empowers us to do more for Austin when Austin needs us most.”
P. and Byrdie McFarland began construction on the house in 1947 while living nearby at 3801 Red River. The McFarlands infused their dream home with their love for the Streamline Moderne houses, hotels, and nightclubs of South Florida. The house is one of only three Streamline Moderne residences in Austin. J. P. and Byrdie lived there with their sons, James and John, until 1954.
By 1962, the house was a rental property, providing a home to students, servicemen, and musicians. Tom Pittman of the Austin Lounge Lizards lived in it during the 1990s with then-wife Madgie Hollingshead, and the house became a fixture in the roots music scene. Legends like Joni Mitchell, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Lucinda Williams were among the attendees at their well-known parties there, including an annual gathering at the end of SXSW.
In 2014, Preservation Austin led a grassroots movement to save the house from demolition. The organization purchased it in 2019, listed it in the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, and began its rehabilitation. In 2024, Preservation Austin renamed the house in honor of Frank and Sue McBee, and the McBee Family Foundation, leaders in Austin’s cultural life and preservation movement.
About Preservation Austin
Preservation Austin exists to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. Preservation Austin is the only citywide nonprofit for historic places in Austin. Its goal is to create a future where historic places play a meaningful role in everyone’s life, inspiring all Austinites to become advocates for preservation. Programs like its Homes Tour and Matching Grants Program are the heart of the group’s mission—promoting what makes Austin unique and encouraging participation in preserving the city’s history. For more information, visit preservationaustin.org and follow @preservationaustin on Instagram and Facebook and @PreservationAtx on Twitter.
Photo credits: TWest Photography
