Texas Historical Foundation

10/09/2026

What happens when a museum opens its collections to the world?

With support from a THF grant, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum & Republic of Texas Presidential Library has digitized approximately 99% of its collection, including 19th-century furnishings, textiles, artifacts, and documents. High-resolution files are preserved for research, while images and object records are now freely accessible online.

The results are already reaching beyond the museum walls: during the grant period, an average of 834 people each month searched and accessed the museum's digital collections.

And the work doesn't stop here. The museum is partnering with other institutions holding Sam Houston-related materials to bring more of those collections together in one searchable online resource.

🔎 Explore the collection: https://tinyurl.com/4tjbvh36

⭐ If you would like to help support THF's work, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/2fnvhyve

10/03/2026

Meet Our 2026 Annual Grant Recipient 🎉

What if one of Texas’s most celebrated writers’ greatest treasures wasn’t something he wrote—but the books he collected?

Our 2026 Annual Grant is helping the Larry McMurtry Literary Center in Archer City bring rare books from McMurtry’s personal collection back to Texas, where they will become part of a new public research library dedicated to his legacy.

Discover the story behind this remarkable project - and the connection between Larry McMurtry, books, and Archer City - in our latest feature: https://tinyurl.com/kcaey2y2

10/02/2026

Last month we presented a THF grant to The Bryan Museum - Galveston in support of its fall lecture series, “Hard-Won Freedoms in America,” presented as part of the statewide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

The three-part series explores the experiences of Texans who faced injustice and advocated for greater rights and equality. The series kicked off September 17 with Dr. James Barrera, a history professor at South Texas College, who presented “Stories of Change: The Fight for Civil Rights in South Texas,” exploring Latino and Mexican American civil rights, the Chicano Student Movement, and educational activism in 20th-century Texas.

We’re glad to support conversations that bring these important chapters of Texas history to a wider audience.

⭐ To find out more info, please visit The Bryan Museum's website: https://thebryanmuseum.org/

⭐⭐ To learn more about THF grants, please visit texashistoricalfoundation.org

09/22/2026

09/22/2026

🏛️ Member Spotlight: Taylor County History Center/ Buffalo Gap Historic Village

Step into West Texas history at Buffalo Gap Historic Village, a longtime THF member dedicated to bringing the past to life through historic buildings, artifacts, and hands-on experiences.

At the heart of the Village stands Taylor County’s original courthouse, completed in 1880 and now preserved in its original location. Once home to courtroom proceedings, county offices, and even a “Drunk Tank,” the building helped inspire the creation of this remarkable living history museum.

From a log cabin and two-room schoolhouse to a train depot and historic shops, Buffalo Gap Historic Village offers visitors a literal walk through the past.

👉 Discover more at buffalogaphistoricvillage.org

🔗 We would love to have you as THF member! Visit us at texashistoricalfoundation.org to explore our membership options.

09/18/2026

🚗 On the Road with THF: Austin Museum Day

Looking for something fun to do this Sunday? Austin Museum Day returns September 20!

More than 30 museums and cultural institutions across the greater Austin area will open their doors for free, with special exhibits, tours, activities, and more for visitors of all ages.

From Texas history and historic homes to art, science, and culture, there’s something for everyone to discover. And with so many places to explore, you might just find a new favorite museum!

📍 Explore participating museums and plan your visit: https://www.austinmuseums.org/this-years-amd

📸 Photo: Bullock Texas State History Museum by Walter Pieringer Photography

09/14/2026

☀ Member Spotlight: Midland Texas Historical Society

Meet one of our Institutional members, the Midland Historical Society, dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Midland County. At the heart of their preservation work is the Brown-Dorsey Medallion Home, built in 1899 and recognized as Midland’s oldest surviving residence and its only known remaining example of Victorian residential architecture.

THF provided a grant in 2025 to help complete the long-term restoration of the home’s exterior. Today, this beautiful Folk Victorian home offers a glimpse into Midland’s earliest years, and the people working to make sure its story continues.

And can we talk about the quilt?! The hand-stitched details are beautiful, and we're completely smitten with those black cats! 🖤 🐈‍⬛

🔗 Would you like to join the THF community? Visit us at texashistoricalfoundation.org today to learn how.

09/10/2026

Our President & CEO, David Preziosi, is heading to Texas A&M this October to deliver the opening keynote at the Rural Heritage Resilience Workshop. The workshop will bring together preservationists, researchers, and community leaders to explore strategies for protecting rural heritage from natural hazards.

We’re excited to see David representing THF at this important conversation about preserving the places and stories that make Texas communities unique.

We are excited for our opening keynote David Preziosi, FAICP, Hon. AIA Dallas at the upcoming Rural Heritage Resilience Workshop. David is President and CEO of the Texas Historical Foundation, leading statewide grantmaking for historic architecture, archaeology, and artifact conservation. He has directed major preservation organizations, helped coordinate post–Hurricane Katrina stabilization efforts, and remains active in Dallas and state preservation leadership while advocating publicly through AIA Dallas’s “Lost + Found” series.

Join us by registering here: https://www.arch.tamu.edu/heritage-hazards-workshop/

09/09/2026

Congratulations to our friends at Hemisfair on receiving two 2026 North American Regional Awards from World Urban Parks!

Civic Park was recognized with the Large Urban Parks Award, while Hemisfair Operations Manager Jane Linde received the Young Park Leader Award for her contributions to the field.

THF has supported Hemisfair through five grants, most recently with a $30,000 Michael C. Duda Preservation Award for work at the historic Kusch House. We’re delighted to see both this remarkable place and the people who care for it recognized on an international stage.

Congratulations, Hemisfair! 🎉

🔗 To learn more about THF grants, visit texashistoricalfoundation.org

09/09/2026

🌞 Member Spotlight: Irving Archives and Museum

Have you discovered the Irving Archives and Museum? One of our newest Institutional members, it serves as a hub for Irving’s museums, connecting visitors with exhibits and programs to explore the history and evolving cultures of this North Texas community.

The 22,000-square-foot museum opened in 2020 after decades of local efforts to create a home for Irving’s history. Its work also encompasses the Ruth Paine House Museum and Jackie Townsell Bear Creek Heritage Center, making it a great starting point for discovering Irving’s many stories.

If you haven’t visited yet, be sure to add it to your list! You can find more info at irvingarchivesandmuseum.com

👉 Want to become a THF Institutional member, too? Sign up at texashistoricalfoundation.org