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We are Texans preserving Texas Become a member and receive the quarterly Authentic Texas magazine at www.texashistoricalfoundation.org

06/04/2026

🎭 Impact Wednesday: The Kay Theater Foundation, Rockdale

We recently visited Rockdale to present a THF grant to the Kay Theater Foundation for the restoration of the stucco exterior of the historic Kay Theater, a beloved community arts venue and one of Texas’ most unique historic theaters.

Originally built during World War II, the Kay Theater is housed within a Quonset hut – a lightweight, prefabricated structure made of corrugated galvanized steel and distinguished by its iconic semi-circular shape. Once common across the country, the Kay Theater is now the only operating Quonset hut theater in Texas.

The building’s innovative arched design distributes weight evenly throughout the structure, eliminating the need for interior support columns and creating a completely open performance space.

✨ We are proud to support the preservation of this remarkable piece of Texas architectural history!

🙌 Would you like to help us preserve more unique places in Texas? You can! THF memberships begin at $45 and include a quarterly subscription to Authentic Texas magazine. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/38tbwuxp

06/02/2026

🌟 Member Spotlight: Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center

For nearly three decades, Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center has worked to preserve the ancient rock art of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands in Southwest Texas, safeguarding some of North America’s oldest known visual narratives.

One of Shumla’s current major initiatives is the Rattlesnake Canyon Pictograph Preservation Project, a multi-year effort to document the canyon’s remarkable pictograph sites and create a permanent digital record for future generations.

Through research, education, and preservation, Shumla continues to advance the study and protection of this irreplaceable cultural heritage, deepening our understanding of Texas prehistory and the people who lived here thousands of years ago.

👏 Thank you, Shumla, for your dedication to preserving and sharing Texas' earliest stories, and for the wonderful photos! It's a treat to see the team in action.

💡Ready to make a difference? Become a THF member today at texashistoricalfoundation.org

05/30/2026

🌵 On the Road w/ THF: Hotel Paso Del Norte, El Paso

Opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1912, the historic Hotel Paso del Norte has stood as one of downtown El Paso’s most recognizable landmarks for more than a century. Designed by renowned architect Henry C. Trost and once known as the “million-dollar hotel,” the property reflects the rich cultural crossroads of the Texas border region.

Among its most breathtaking features is the enormous stained-glass dome designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, which still crowns the hotel lobby today. Surrounded by ornate mahogany carvings, European chandeliers, and marble detailing, the dome remains one of the architectural treasures of West Texas.

Over the decades, the hotel welcomed presidents, celebrities, and historic figures, including Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt. During the Mexican Revolution, guests even gathered on the hotel terrace to watch fighting across the border, highlighting how deeply interconnected El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and Mexico have long been.

Today, the beautifully restored hotel remains listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to serve as a centerpiece of downtown El Paso.

05/28/2026

⛏ Impact Wednesday: Gault School of Archaeological Research, Florence

This past weekend, we visited the Gault Site in Central Texas to present THF’s Spring 2026 grant. The funding will help develop archaeology programs for K–12 students at the renowned Gault Site and in classrooms across Texas.

Research at the Gault Site transformed how archaeologists understand the earliest peoples of the Americas, helping establish evidence of human presence in North America thousands of years earlier than once believed.

If you would like to learn more about the site and the work of Dr. Michael Collins, we highly recommend the documentary "The Stones Are Speaking" by filmmaker Olive Talley, which recently won the Texas Historical Commission's 2025 Award of Excellence in Media Achievement (available on the PBS App, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and other streaming services).

🔗Learn more at gaultschool.org

💡THF Grant Information: https://tinyurl.com/7nex7en6

Gault Film

05/25/2026

Member Spotlight: National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington

Did you know the National Medal of Honor Museum is right here in Texas? Opened in March 2025, the museum was recently voted Best New Museum in America in the USA TODAY 10BEST 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Located in Arlington, the museum honors Medal of Honor Recipients through immersive exhibits, interactive experiences, and powerful stories of courage, sacrifice, and service. Its striking design is supported by five monumental columns representing each branch of the U.S. military.

This Memorial Day, we honor the extraordinary individuals whose service and sacrifice continue to inspire generations.

05/22/2026

On the Road w/ THF: National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we are reminiscing about our 2023 visit to the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg. Located in the hometown of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Pacific Forces during World War II, the museum preserves and shares the stories, artifacts, and experiences of those who served in the Pacific Theater.

Pictured is a B-25J Mitchell reconfigured to resemble the B-25B bombers used in the famous Doolittle Raid. The B-25 was selected because it was small enough to launch from an aircraft carrier while still carrying enough fuel to complete the mission. To make the raid possible, the aircraft were modified further for maximum efficiency.

Trust us when we say it is easy to spend an entire day exploring this museum!

05/21/2026

✨Impact Wednesday: the Bolivar Point Lighthouse

For the first time in more than 75 years, the historic Bolivar Point Lighthouse is once again displaying its iconic black-and-white stripes.

THF was proud to support the Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation's restoration efforts with grants in 2022 and 2024, helping to preserve this beloved 1872 landmark. With stabilization complete, the historic entry door restored, and repainting finished, the lighthouse is that much closer to welcoming the public once again.

Note: The cupola was temporarily removed as part of the restoration effort, but is scheduled to return and light up Galveston Bay. 🌊

By becoming a THF member or making a donation, you help support preservation projects like these across Texas 🙌 texashistoricalfoundation.org

05/19/2026

🌊 Member Spotlight: Rockport Cultural Arts District - RCAD

Located in Rockport, a harbor town founded in 1867, the Rockport Cultural Arts District (RCAD) celebrates creativity while promoting the town’s rich historic character. From its beginnings as a cattle shipping port to today’s haven for birders and water enthusiasts, RCAD highlights Rockport's cultural heritage through partnerships with local artists, organizations, and businesses.

Rockport shows how a community can grow and adapt while preserving its past, and we have fond memories of our 2023 board retreat there.

👀 Not a THF member yet? Memberships start at just $45 and include a quarterly subscription to Authentic Texas magazine: https://tinyurl.com/38tbwuxp

05/15/2026

✨ On the Road with THF: 2026 Duda Awards

We’re excited to share the photos from the 2026 Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards in San Antonio – an unforgettable evening celebrating preservation projects and partnerships from across Texas.

From adobe preservation in El Paso to museum restoration in Houston, this year’s honorees showcased the powerful impact of preservation in communities across the state.

📸 Special thanks to photographer Walter Pieringer for beautifully capturing the evening. See the full photo set here: https://tinyurl.com/52u9zfyc

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