Center for Heritage Education at Bassett Farms

Bassett Farms is a 2,400-acre farm and ranch located southeast of Waco in Falls and Limestone counties. The property was donated to Preservation Texas in 2012 by the late Mrs. Willie Ford (Bassett) Sparkman so that it can be permanently stewarded. The vast cultural landscape contains a range of historic, natural, and archaeological resources, including the Hopewell Freedom Colony.

In the coming years, the property will be developed as a preservation training field school. Programs will focus on late 19th century African-American freedom colonies, early 20th century tenant farming, and the stewardship of large-scale cultural landscapes. Hiking trails will be developed to increase access to the property. On-site preservation training programs and residencies will provide unmatched opportunities for hands-on preservation trades education, archaeology, and best practices in historic preservation.