The Cantey Lecture is an annual lecture event where a prominent speaker addresses topics related to historic preservation and architectural history. The Cantey Awards are presented during this event and recognize outstanding achievements in preservation projects, stewardship, and leadership in the field of historic preservation. This event is an important part of Historic Fort Worth, Inc.’s mission to preserve and promote the historic heritage of Fort Worth, Texas.

The Cantey Lecture is sponsored by Sam and Ambler Cantey and their children, Samantha Saxenmeyer, Benton Cantey, Clayton Cantey, Sam Douglas, Jake Blair and their grandchildren, James and Atha Blair, Will, Charlie and Sam Saxenmeyer, “B” and Grace Cantey in honor of their Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.

2025 Cantey Lecture & Preservation Awards

Thursday,
October 16, 5:30: PM

The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth
1316 Pennsylvania Ave.

Cantey Lecture: Celebrating Charles Dilbeck with Willis C. Winters
Join us for a captivating evening as Willis C. Winters, FAIA—renowned preservationist, author, and former Director of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department—shares his insights on the life and legacy of celebrated Texas architect Charles Dilbeck. Often described as romantic and eccentric, Dilbeck’s unique architectural style left a lasting imprint on Dallas with his idiosyncratic small homes and grand estate designs. His work is known for hand-carved details, soaring ceilings, and breezy floor plans that defined early Texas residential architecture. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore Dilbeck’s imaginative contributions through the lens of one of Texas’ leading voices in architecture and historic preservation.

Willis C. Winters, FAIA, former Director, Dallas Park and Recreation Department

Dallas’ 20,192 acres of parkland encompassed 397 parks, 13 lakes, 43 recreation centers, 158 miles of trails, Fair Park, the Dallas Zoo, the Trinity Audubon Center, and the Dallas Arboretum. He oversaw 932 full-time employees and managed a $91.3 million annual operating budget and a $40 million capital budget.

Winters joined the department in 1993 and was co-project director for its visionary and nationally recognized long-range development plan, A Renaissance Plan (2002). As Director, he oversaw the creation of a new downtown park system including Klyde Warren Park, implemented the city-wide trail network master plan, renovated and expanded recreation centers, developed new exhibits at the Dallas Zoo, planned and added amenities within the Trinity River Corridor, launched the Park Pavilion program, and guided the restoration of the National Historic Landmark architecture at Fair Park.

Under his leadership, the department achieved accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) in 2016. Winters also commissioned a Comprehensive Plan Update, a Recreation Master Plan, an Economic Value of Parks Study, and a Benchmarking Study to enhance performance evaluation and strengthen decision-making.

In recognition of his decades of service and lasting contributions to Dallas parks, Randall Park in East Dallas was renamed Willis C. Winters Park following his retirement.

The preservation awards follow the lecture.

Members Attend for FREE

SAM CANTEY

As a Fort Worth visionary, businessman, collector of art and leader of the Fort Worth Art Association, (now the Modern Art Museum), Samuel Benton Cantey III (1914-1973) understood that great architecture is irreplaceable. In the 1950’s Mr. Cantey invited Bror Utter (1913-1993) to paint architecturally significant buildings in downtown Fort Worth as they were being prepared for demolition. Mr. Utter, a talented studio artist and teacher, was a member of the Fort Worth Circle, the legendary group of artists who traveled abroad and painted together. His paintings document both demolished and standing downtown buildings and are part of the permanent collection of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The annual Cantey Lecture is paired with HFW’s preservation awards.