Friends of the Cowell Lime Works

About Us

Purpose

The Friends work to restore and preserve the old lime kilns and historic buildings of the Cowell Lime Works Historic District through fundraising, coordinating volunteers, and soliciting donations of materials. The Friends bring the site's rich history to life through tours and other educational programs.

The District encompasses some 30 acres at the main entrance to the University of California, Santa Cruz. The district includes four lime kilns, the cookhouse, cooperage, hay barn, Cardiff House, worker cabins, and many other buildings and structures from the 19th century. In 2007 the district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Leadership

• Frank Perry, President: historian and interpretive exhibit designer, UC alumnus and co-author of the book Lime Kiln Legacies
• Joe Michalak, Vice president, former Head of Reference Services at UCSC; 25 years experience in the sales and marketing of library systems and scientific and medical research databases
• Frank Zwart, Secretary, UCSC Associate Vice Chancellor, Physical Planning and Construction,Campus Architect, UCSC alumnus
• David Subocz, Chairperson of Santa Cruz Historic Preservation Commission, Designer, UCSC alumnus
• Cynthia Mathews, Vice-Mayor, City of Santa Cruz
• John Barnes, UCSC Director of Campus Planning
• Sally Morgan, Staff Liaison to Friends, UCSC Senior Environmental Planner, 25 years experience in archaeology and historic preservation.