​History is a vivid reminder
of the unyielding human drive
to build, endure, and thrive.

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Carole Emily (Sale) Romano: A Life of Service and Preservation. She was the Founder and the Soul of the Castroville Conservation Society.
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Castroville Conservation Society: Founded in 2000 by Carol (Sale) and Louis Romano. Carole served as president and on the board until 2013. The boundless love Carole gave, the traditions and memories she guarded so carefully, and the family and community she held close will remain alive in our hearts for all time.

Carole developed a deep interest in history and genealogy due to her family's heritage, tracing back to the Magna Carta and colonial Virginia settlers. She enjoyed traveling to Castroville with her father and visiting local Alsatian and German farmers. 

Castroville Historic Home: Carol and Louis purchased and restored a historic home in Castroville in 1990, a five-year project that earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places as Bippert Hall. It received several awards and was featured on This Old House and HGTV.
 
Carole attended City Council meetings to advocate for the protection of historic homes, property rights, and environmental issues. She was the matriarch of her family, including her husband Louis, four children (Louis Jr, Elizabeth, Ray, and Todd), seven grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

Carole passed away on June 29, 2025. The Mayor of Castroville, Bruce Alexander, proclaimed her a beneficial citizen of the city, acknowledging her significant contributions to the community and its Alsatian German heritage. Her impact was described as immeasurable.

 ​Mission
The Castroville Conservation Society is dedicated
to the preservation of historic buildings,
archaeologic sites, objects, places and customs relating to
the architecture and history of Castroville Texas.
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Vision
The Castroville Conservation Society is committed
to keeping Castroville’s unique historic buildings intact,
and keeping the history of Castroville vibrant.
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 Activities
The Castroville Conservation Society works
to educate the public
​on the significance of historic buildings and
how these historic buildings improve the quality of life,
increase economic stability and
help retain the unique history of our community.
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Projects
The Castroville Conservation Society also works
to develop and support projects
that protect, conserve and restore historic buildings
and archaeologic sites  in Castroville.