G. H. Pape Foundation and Staff

Earle-Harrison House & Pape Gardens is owned and operated by the G.H. Pape Foundation. The G. H. Pape Foundation was founded in 1956 by Nell Pape in honor of her husband, Gustaav Hermann; upon her death Mrs. Pape left a generous endowment to the foundation which is invested for general funds. Rental, portrait and tour fees are applied to the property's maintenance and preservation projects. Donations of money or materials are accepted and very appreciated. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation maintains Earle-Harrison House and its 5.82 acre gardens as a central part of its mission to benefit the citizens of Waco, McLennan County, Texas through historical preservation, beautification and education.  These Waco citizens serve on 2010's Board of Directors: Hatch Bailey, Lu Billings, Rick Bostwick, George Chase, Jeff Holloman, Jennifer Lindsey, Jim McDermitt, Julie Oates, John Schwartz and Russell Trippet.

Kathy Riggs has been employed as Property Manager since 2005, Greg Riggs performs gardening and maintenance duties for Earle-Harrison House & Pape Gardens. The Riggs enjoy the many varied tasks that care of the property entails, including but not limited to garden development, wedding/reception management, house tours and historic preservation of the buildings and their contents. They also manage an active group of community service volunteers and laborers who assist with many hands-on aspects of maintaining the property and helping with events.

Monetary or Material Donations and Memorials

2005-2006:

$22,000/Riggs family - wood fence, various cottage additions & repairs, cement pads for tent, 225 wood chairs

2007:

$2,500/Getterman Foundation - Repair and painting of garden shed

2008:

$5,000/Lu Billings in memoriam to husband Rex Billings - plants for garden

$10,000/Trechia Pinchefsky in memoriam to her maternal grandparents Leland & Ruby Kilgore - plants for garden

$500/15 Friends of Etta Tilley - 2 mosiac stepping stones, mosiac bench, 10 Fairy rose bushes

$1,500/Hatch Bailey - donation to general fund

$150/Steely family in memoriam to their maternal grandfather - magnolia tree

$1,150/Riggs family - punch bowls, silver urns for rental inventory

2009:

$150/ Rene Davis and Colors of Texas - magnolia tree

$1,000/Hatch Bailey in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Hack Branch, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Hull, Mr. & Mrs. Rondy Grady, Mr. Don Sharp - donation to general fund

$100/Joan Neuhaus - donation to general fund