
About Anice Read
The Anice Read Fund is named for Anice Read, a founder of the Texas Downtown Association. The Fund was formed in 1999 to honor her legacy and her contributions to Texas downtowns. Grants from the fund are used for a variety of purposes including physical projects, professional development, and program and staff development.
Anice was a beloved and passionate advocate for the historical preservation of Texas downtowns, believing them to be the lifeblood and true heart of a community. She was appointed to the Texas Historical Commission in 1968 and became the first director of the Texas Main Street Program, a THC division.
During her tenure at the Texas Main Street Program, she worked directly with more than 100 Texas communities in restoring and revitalizing the historic fabric of their downtowns. She realized early on that the Main Street Program would not be able to meet the needs of all communities, and founded TDA to fill that void. Three years after her retirement, following a courageous battle with cancer, Anice passed away on November 30, 1999.