Spring 2025 Newsletter





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*February 17, 2025*






"The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission partners with the Texas Historical Commission to preserve and promote the real places and real stories of Texas, including our state historic sites [ [link removed] ]. "




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Building Sustainability in Our Organizations – Strength and Endurance

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Greetings! Since this is the first time we have reached out to you since the start of the new year, please accept *our heartfelt wishes for a happy and successful 2025!*

About a year ago the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC) went through a strategic planning process during which we updated our key strategic goals for the next few years. These included continuing to strengthen the relationship the FTHC has with the Commission it supports; shore up our alignment with the agency to define and develop the Texas story; focus on building support for place-based education across the Commission; keep stewardship of the critical historic resources front and center; and work through collaboration and partnerships.

During the strategic planning process we recognized that in order to accomplish these strategic goals, we have to continue to build sustainability in the organization. What this looks like for a nonprofit organization of our size and scope is financial sustainability as well as organizational strength and endurance.



*READ MORE* [ [link removed] ]


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Welcoming THC's Newest State Historic Site

Harvey Girls

In January 2025, the Slaton Harvey House [ [link removed] ] became the *40th state historic site* of the Texas Historical Commission, embodying the memories of early-20th-century life for future generations of Texans to experience.

Harvey Houses were American's first chain restaurants and, in the decades that they were in operation, over 100,000 Harvey Girls helped change the course of women's history in the American southwest. Their legacy of elevated service and female independence came to Slaton in 1912, and the Slaton Harvey House was in operation for 30 years. 

*READ MORE* [ [link removed] ]


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Spring is a Perfect Time for Giving
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amplify austin cta

As bluebonnets begin to poke their heads toward the sky, many Texans turn their thoughts to long leisurely drives down back roads and through small towns. If you’re planning a spring trip, we hope you’ll consider stopping in at one of the Texas Historical Commission’s 40 state historic sites [ [link removed] ]. Each one tells stories of our state’s vibrant and complex history.

If you’re in Austin, we hope you’ll join us in supporting Texas history by being a part of our *Amplify Austin campaign!* For 24 hours, March 5-6, the biggest giving event in Central Texas will be underway. This year, we were honored to be recognized by Austin’s iconic Paramount Theatre for our work in supporting historic preservation. The Paramount put our name in lights, but we know the spotlight is really on the Texas Historical Commission because without the incredible work of the THC, many treasures of our Texas heritage would be lost to time.

Wherever you are, in Texas or beyond, we wish you a very happy spring. May your adventures be filled with wildflowers and stops along roadsides to read historical markers!



*SUPPORT* [ [link removed] ]


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The 2025 Real Places Conference is Coming Soon
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Join us in Austin April 23—25 for the Texas Historical Commission’s ninth annual Real Places Conference. Presented by our title sponsor Phoenix I Restoration and Construction, LLC [ [link removed] ], this year’s conference promises to be an inspiring event full of educational sessions and networking opportunities.

Each year, the Real Places Conference brings together a unique blend of individuals and organizations working in and around the field of historic preservation. The conference is the perfect place to make new friends, connect with Texas Historical Commission staff, learn new skills, and share ideas. Here’s a snapshot of some of our keynote presentations:


* *A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America*, presented by Andrew Feiler, photographer and author
* *A Quarter-Century of Courthouse Success Stories*, presented by Stanley Graves, senior principal, Architexas, and Susan Tietz, coordinator of THC courthouse preservation program
* *We've Been Working on the Railroad*, presented by Mandy Lockaby, conductor, BNSF Railway
* *America250: Inspiring the American Spirit*, presented by Rosie Rios, chair of America 250, United States Congressional Commission
* *The Rise and Destruction of 19th-Century Galveston*, presented by Andrew Torget, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, University of North Texas

Register now and take advantage of special pricing. The final price increase will occur on March 22.

*REGISTER* [ [link removed] ]


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Internship Applications Close Soon

2024 Cohort of Preservation Scholars

There’s no time to waste—*the application period for the 2025 Preservation Scholars Program closes at midnight on February 21.* If you are a current college student interested in historic preservation, please consider applying for this unique internship opportunity. This paid internship helps students build skills, develop professional networks, and gain real world experience in the world of public history. We have internship opportunities in most divisions of the Texas Historical Commission, including Historic Sites, History Programs, Archeology and more! You do not have to be a history major to apply. Many academic backgrounds connect to the field of historic preservation—all you need to have is a love for history and strong desire to lend your voice to the work we do. Check out the link below to learn more and apply!



*LEARN MORE AND APPLY* [ [link removed] ]


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Upcoming Virtual Events

* Feb 20—Enslaved to Entrepreneur: How Wilson Pottery's Innovation and Industry Created a Lasting Legacy [ [link removed] ]
* Mar 20—All the Bells and Whistles: How Texas Women Turned Homecoming Mums into a Lonestar Phenomenon [ [link removed] ]
* Apr 30—Texas Bound: Syrian-Lebanese Life in the Lone Star State [ [link removed] ]







*Get More Updates About Texas History!*

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Texas Historical Commission
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Austin, TX 78701

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