KINGSVILLE, October 2 – The H.M. King High Historical Foundation is pleased to announce that it has received a $1.75 million grant from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation to continue the rehabilitation of the 1909 H.M. King School. The historical school building will house the City Hall for the City of Kingsville. The City of Kingsville passed a resolution to fund $2 million to match the Kleberg Foundation grant and assist with completion of the project.
Helen Kleberg Groves started the King High Historical Foundation with a personal donation of $1 million, followed by many donations from alumni and other supporters. These funds have provided for the environmental and physical cleanup of the building, structural stabilization work, and a roof replacement to significantly slow the deterioration of the building. The new grant from the Kleberg Foundation and matching funds from the City of Kingsville will allow the project to move forward to the next phase.
“This project is a great event for the Kingsville community and for Texas. The architecture of the building reflects three of the colonial missions in San Antonio, representing a heritage which is a great source of pride for all of us. And, it is a fitting legacy for Mrs. Groves to have lead the effort to save this very significant building that was a gift, in 1909, to the citizens of Kingsville from her grandmother, Henrietta M. King” said Sam Fugate, Mayor of Kingsville.
“We are very excited to receive this generous award and we look forward to seeing more construction on the building very soon”, said Annette Peterson, Fundraising Chair.
The funding from the Kleberg Foundation will help bridge the gap between donations already received and the funding being provided by the City. To contribute to the rehabilitation project, please visit the website at www.1909HMKingSchool.org or call Annette Peterson at 361-516-0314 for more information.
