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Texas Historical Foundation

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

With support from a THF grant, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and 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 and be sure to follow @samhoustonmemorialmuseum

⭐ If you would like to help support THF's work, please visit the link in our bio.

#TexasHistory #PreservationGrant by @texanspreservtx

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8 days ago

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 (link in our bio).

#LonesomeDove #TexasHistory #LarryMcMurtry #WestTexas #RareBooks @lmcmurtrylitcenter by @texanspreservtx

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14 days ago

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

#TexasHistory #HispanicHeritageMonth #GalvestonTX by @texanspreservtx

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15 days ago

🏛️ 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 or @buffalogaphistoricvillage

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

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25 days ago

🚗 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 by @texanspreservtx

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a month ago

☀ Member Spotlight: Midland 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.

#TexasHistory #midlandtx #preservationgrants #victorianarchitecture #historicpreservation @midlandhistoricalsociety by @texanspreservtx

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a month ago

🌞 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, add it to your Texas history list! You can find more info at irvingarchivesandmuseum.com or @irvingarchivesandmuseum

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

#TexasMuseums #TexasHistory #SuburbanHistory by @texanspreservtx

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a month ago

🌴 On the Road with THF: Galveston

When you love history, exploring the architecture of downtown Galveston can be just as much fun as going to the beach!

Long before Galveston became a favorite coastal getaway, it was an economic powerhouse known as the “Wall Street of the South.” Today, its historic downtown offers a remarkable glimpse into that prosperous late-19th-century time period, with grand Victorian era buildings lining the streets.

What historic places did you explore this summer? 😎 taken in Galveston, Texas by @texanspreservtx

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a month ago

🌟 Impact Wednesday: Summer 2026 Grants

From historic buildings and archaeological sites to community archives, museums, and cultural heritage projects, our Summer 2026 grants are helping preserve Texas history in communities across the state.

This round of grants supports ten projects representing the remarkable diversity of Texas history—and the people working every day to protect it.

👉 Read the full announcement to meet this round’s grantees and learn more about their projects: https://tinyurl.com/38wt9syr

🔗 Curious about THF grants? Visit texashistoricalfoundation.org for details.

#preservationgrants #TexasHistory by @texanspreservtx

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a month ago

🌾 What if rural organizations across Texas had a stronger network to turn to?

From museums and historic preservation societies to libraries, theaters, and community organizations, rural cultural nonprofits face many of the same challenges—but too often, they face them alone.

The Rural Texas Arts & Culture Network is changing that by connecting organizations across the state to share resources, learn from one another, build capacity, and find support.

Our latest feature explores how this growing network is building connections across rural Texas, and why those connections matter.

Find out more at @ruraltxartsculture

👉 Read the full story (link in bio)

@mindpop by @texanspreservtx

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2 months ago

🎬 On the Road with THF: Dolly in Texas

In 2011, Dolly Parton famously said, “If I couldn't be from Tennessee, I'd be from Texas.” It's easy to see why Texas loved her right back.

This photograph captures Dolly and the cast of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the film's 1982 world premiere at Austin's historic Paramount Theatre. The film was shot in Texas and brought one of the state's most colorful real-life stories to the big screen.

The story was based on the legendary Chicken Ranch in La Grange, which operated from the early 20th century until 1973. Dolly played Miss Mona, the madam at the center of the story.

The Paramount itself has been part of Austin's history since 1915, and its connection to the film is one more chapter in the long history of this beloved theater.

With Dolly's passing this week, we thought this photograph was a fitting opportunity to remember her—and the very Texas story that brought her to Austin.

❤️ Thank you for the memories, Dolly.

Photograph courtesy of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

#TexasHistory #DollyParton #LaGrange #HistoricTheaters taken in Austin, Texas by @texanspreservtx

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2 months ago

🌟 Impact Wednesday

The 1872 Bolivar Point Lighthouse has stood as a landmark on the Bolivar Peninsula for more than 150 years—and the Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation has been working to ensure this remarkable piece of Texas history has a future.

THF has supported that effort with two grants, helping fund architectural drawings for the lighthouse's upper lantern and gallery and restoration of its exterior shell to its historic black-and-white striped appearance.

Now, we're excited to see the Foundation opening the lighthouse grounds to the public for an Open House on September 13, marking 18 years since Hurricane Ike devastated the Bolivar Peninsula.

Visitors can tour the grounds, see the restoration progress, view commemorative bricks, and attend a special "Beacon of Resilience" ceremony at noon.

📍 Sunday, September 13 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Bolivar Point Lighthouse Grounds, Port Bolivar

🔗 Learn more about the open house and the ongoing restoration at bolivarpointlighthouse.org or @bolivarpointlighthouse

We love seeing preservation work move from plans and drawings to something the public can experience, and we can't wait to see what's next for this Texas landmark!

#TexasHistory #GulfCoast #HistoricLighthouses #PreservationGrants by @texanspreservtx

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2 months ago