Ready to get started on your next home improvement project? Need some help connecting with a contractor or design professional? Want to learn how to navigate the historic design guidelines and the permitting process, or ask experienced renovators about their work in older homes? Join OHP for our annual Historic Homeowner Fair, a free annual event that brings together owners and occupants of aging and historic homes with local professionals, services, and solutions to care for and maintain their properties.
Our popular Exhibit Hall will feature local businesses including design services, construction professionals, and purveyors of goods such as tile, metal fixtures, paint, and salvaged materials. We’ll also have sessions on our most popular topics and a panel discussion where local renovators will share key lessons learned during their projects.
15th Annual Historic Homeowner Fair
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Henry B. González Convention Center
Parking Information + Fair Access
The 2024 Historic Homeowner Fair will be located in the western end of the Convention Center (900 E Market St), near the San Antonio River and Civic Park. The closet entrance is the Lila Cockrell Theatre entrance along Market St, directly across from the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk (view Street View). You can also enter the Main Entrance and walk through an interior hallway to reach the Fair area.
Driving to the Fair? There is FREE parking at the Alamodome Lot C at 100 Montana St! A luxury shuttle service will run between the parking lot and the Fair’s entrance on Market St for the duration of the event. Type in ‘100 Montana St’ in your GPS to navigate directly to the free parking lot.
For visitors with mobility limitations that may not be able to step into a shuttle, very limited parking validations are available at the Convention Center garage. Please see the map below to plan for parking.
Entering the Fair
The 2024 Historic Homeowner Fair, including the Exhibit Hall, City Hub, Tree Giveaway, Kidz Zone, and Educational Sessions, are all clustered on the western side of the Convention Center, which is adjacent to the San Antonio River. Registration and check-in is located directly through the Lila Cockrell Theatre Entrance, or through an interior hallway from the Main Entrance. Please see the map below for Fair activity locations. Wayfinding signage will be located throughout the Convention Center to help guide you, but please be sure to ask a friendly Office of Historic Preservation staff member or volunteer for assistance! They’ll be wearing teal and purple shirts. Convention Center staff can also direct you to the Fair; please see below for the names of the specific rooms if asked to help navigate.
Convention Center Room Locations
Exhibit Hall: Bridge Hall
City Hub: In the vestibule outside Hall 4b
Tree Giveaway / Kidz Zone: Hall 4b
Educational Sessions: Classroom 206 (Second Floor)
2024 Schedule and Features
This year, we’ll have more than 60 exhibitors, four educational sessions, thirteen City offices in the City Hub, 300 trees to give away, and more! View our Schedule At-A-Glance for times and locations.
Want more detail? Click the links below for our full program and Exhibit Hall map!
Session Descriptions
Are You Climate Ready?
10:15am - 11:00am in Room 206
You may have heard the adage: “the greenest building is the one that already exists.” Maintaining an existing home conserves resources, reduces the need for new products, and keeps irreplaceable materials out of the landfill. Join Dr. Jenny Hay from the Office of Historic Preservation to learn more about the City’s development of a Climate Heritage Strategic Plan, plus representatives from SAWS for tips on how landscaping can reduce operational energy and water usage while showcasing the features of your older or historic property.
Rehabber Club DIY Panel
11:00am - 11:45am in Room 206
Hard hats encouraged! Whether you're just getting started or are knee-deep in finishing nails, bring your renovation challenges to the experts of the Rehabber Club. Learn about best practices and common pitfalls as you maintain and improve your historic or older home. This year, we've got a panel of Rehabber Club members, including experts in general contracting, design, and material reuse, to share stories and help you find creative solutions for your next project.
Panelists: Anthony Chen, Elizabeth Haynes, Scott Martin
Keynote: Smart Growth and Housing Opportunities in San Antonio's Historic Neighborhoods
12:00pm - 12:45pm in Room 206
Jim Bailey, Senior Principal with Alamo Architects, leads a discussion on the evolution of San Antonio's Historic Districts and opportunities for sensible, affordable, housing growth. This includes sensitive design which responds to the historic character and scale found in historic districts and also looks to the past for successful models that offer diverse and affordable options for residents.
DIY Low Budget Window Restoration
1:00pm - 1:45pm in Room 206
Join Mitch Kilby, creator of the Online Window Restoration Guide, for an engaging session on the anatomy of a wood window, how to perform a conditions assessment, and how to approach repair as DIYer.