“It’s not new that architecture can profoundly affect a place, sometimes transform it. Architecture and any art can transform a person, even save someone.”
Architect, Frank Gehry
Gainesville Modern started with the dream of preserving the modern architectural heritage of Gainesville before it was altogether forgotten. As the organization has grown that dream has remained constant, and our enjoyment of architecture and community has grown.
Each year we sponsor and coordinate multiple education, advocacy, and social events. Our most recognized, being our Modernism Week and Mid-Century Modern Home Tour, which gives our community members access to Mid-Century Modern homes throughout our area. We believe that the architecture of the Mid-Century period is all around us, and brings value and character to our amazing city. Gainesville Modern is dedicated to protect our Mid-Century Modern structures and provide education about their rich history.
Officers
President: Peter Aliberti
Vice President: Open
Treasurer: Mike Hastings
Secretary: John Nemmers
Executive Director: Anita Spring
Board of Directors
Peter Aliberti: Chair “Tour From Home”
Amanda Carreon
Denise Hutson
Mary Lynn Jamison
Lauren Richardson
Christine Richmond: Social Media Chair
Matthew Wall

Howard McLean Architect
719 SW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL
Our Mission
Gainesville Modern is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Gainesville’s modern architectural past and promoting its future through education, advocacy, and awareness.
Our Vision
Gainesville Modern coordinates and collaborates on the presentation and production of various outreach activities, fundraising events, and collateral, including documenting the location and history of architecturally significant modernist properties in Alachua County; producing an “architectural tourism” map/brochure; conducting an annual home tour every spring; hosting or sponsoring public lectures and conferences; and producing newsletters, calendars, books and other publications related to Gainesville’s modern architectural heritage.
Our History
Gainesville Modern is a natural outgrowth of Historic Gainesville, Inc. (HGI), founded in 1972 for the purpose of advancing historic preservation efforts in Gainesville. The organization was instrumental in the purchase and preservation of the old ThomasHotel and its repurposing into the ThomasCenter. HGI also spearheaded the designation of five historic districts in the city, and worked with homeowners to get architecturally significant properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
More than forty years later, through Gainesville Modern, HGI’s scope has expanded to include architecturally significant properties of the Mid-Century Modern style, many of which now meet the National Register of Historic Places fifty year age threshold. In addition, the organization sees Gainesville’s growing inventory of contemporary residential and commercial architecture, including many LEED-certified “green” buildings, as deserving of wider recognition.
Gainesville Modern, Inc. By-Laws
Article 1: Purposes
1.1: Gainesville Modern, a 501(c)(3) corporation, has a mission to advocate the preservation of the region’s modern architecture and raise awareness of Gainesville’s modern architectural heritage through education and community programs. To carry out our mission of advocacy and education, Gainesville Modern holds an annual house tour, showcasing some of the many immaculate modern homes in the area, as well as events and meetings throughout the year. Additionally, Gainesville Modern sponsors workshops for homeowners interested in architectural preservation and home maintenance of their modern property. As interest in modern architecture expands, Gainesville Modern will expand with it to provide resources and programming to serve the community.
Gainesville Modern is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Statement of Purpose.
The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to education about and preservation of the modern architectural heritage of Gainesville, FL, and no part of the net income or assets of this corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof, or to the benefit of any private individual.
No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, this corporation shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this corporation.
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
Article 2: Leadership
2.1: Board of Directors—the Board of Directors (hereinafter “Board”) shall consist of no less than three (3) directors. The President, Vice President, Executive Director, and Treasurer shall be considered directors ex officio.
2.2: Selection of Directors—Directors shall be selected by vote of the membership at an annual meeting on a date determined by the Board.
2.3: Term of Directors—Directors shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years. Directors shall be eligible for reelection.
2.4: Replacement of Directors—In the case of a vacancy in a director position by reason of resignation or death, a replacement director may be selected by majority vote of the Board to serve out the remaining term of the vacant directorship.
2.5: Officers—the Officers of the corporation shall be a President, a Vice President, an Executive Director, and a Treasurer.
2.6: Term of Officers—Officers shall serve one (1) term of two (2) years and shall hold office until the election of their successors, unless earlier removed by resignation or death.
2.7: Replacement of Officers—In the case of a vacancy in an officer position by reason of resignation or death, a replacement officer may be selected by majority vote of the Board to serve out the remaining term of the vacant officership.
2.8: Duties of Officers
2.8 (a): President—the President shall preside over all meetings of the Board, call special meetings, perform acts and duties usually performed by the presiding officer, and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board.
2.8 (b): Vice President—the Vice President shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties of the President.
2.8 (c): Executive Director—the Executive Director shall keep a complete record of all meetings of the Board and shall have general charge and supervision of the book sand records of the Board. The Executive Director shall serve all notices required by these bylaws and shall make a full written report of matters and business that pertain to his/her office to the members at the Annual Meeting. The Executive Director shall act as the Secretary for the Board.
2.8 (d): Treasurer—the Treasurer shall be responsible for collection and disbursement of all funds related to Gainesville Modern, Inc. The Treasurer shall make an annual report to the membership at the Annual Meeting.
Article 3: Membership
3.1: Membership—membership categories shall be enumerated by the Board in policy.
Article 4: Meetings
4.1: Annual Meeting—there shall be one (1) Annual Meeting wherein the Officers give their annual reports as prescribed in these bylaws, elections may take place, business may be brought to the floor by members and other relevant issues may be discussed.
4.2: Date of Annual Meeting—the date of the Annual Meeting shall be set by majority vote of the Board.
4.3: Notice of the Annual Meeting—the Executive Director shall give notice thirty (30) days in advance of all regular meetings, and include the date, time, location, and purpose of the meeting in the communication.
4.4: Methods of Notice—Notice of meetings may be given by physical mail, electronic mail, telephone, or in-person notice.
4.5: Quorum—a Quorum is met if a simple majority of voting members are in attendance at a meeting. Resolutions may be decided by a majority vote of members present, excepting any changes to these by-laws, which will require an absolute majority of all members in good standing irrespective of attendance.
Article 5: Committees
5.1: Standing Committees—The Board shall prescribe any committees it deems necessary to deal with events as they arise. The duties of the various committees shall be enumerated in policy at the time of creation. The duration of any committee shall also be enumerated in policy at the time of creation.
5.2: Committee Membership—Committee Members shall be selected by majority vote of the Board.
Article 6: Funding
6.1: Solicitation of Funds—In the pursuit of its educational and preservation mission, Gainesville Modern, Inc. may from time to time solicit donations from its members, the general public, and any organizations or businesses public and private which it deems appropriate.
6.2: Disbursement of Funds—As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, Gainesville Modern, Inc. will offer no dividend to members, Directors, Officers or any other person. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the disbursement of funds in pursuit of the goals enumerated in the mission statement and any other appropriate goal delineated by the Board.
6.3: Dissolution—In the event of dissolution, any remaining funds shall be donated to an appropriate charitable or governmental entity, to be prescribed in policy. At no time may funds inure to any individual or group which does not meet the criteria set forth in these by-laws and 26 USC § 501 (c)(3) or any amendment thereto.
Article 7: Activities
7.1: Political Activity—Gainesville Modern, Inc., shall at no time take a position on a political candidate or utilize funds for political activity, including but not limited to: print or electronic advertisements, direct donations to political candidates or parties, payment of political staff, participating in campaign activities such as phone-banking or canvassing, or any other action prohibited by the Board in policy.
7.2: Political Participation by Members—None of the foregoing shall be construed to prohibit political participation by members of Gainesville Modern, Inc., in a private capacity, without purporting to represent Gainesville Modern, Inc.
Article 8: Amendments
8.1: Procedure—These by-laws may be amended or rescinded by majority vote of the Board at any annual or special meeting.
8.2: Notification—Proposed amendments to these by-laws shall be mailed to members at least ten (10) days prior to any scheduled vote.
8.3: Voting—Members may cast ballots in person, by physical mail, or by electronic mail at the discretion of the President, such that the ballot is received before the vote by the President or Executive Director. Ballots must be signed by the member.
