Register for Upcoming Events

Don't miss the following exciting educational programs! Registration for both is open now.

HISTORIC LOG BUILDING SYMPOSIUM 2.0

Thursday, September 3 & Friday, September 4, 2026 in Huntsville

Building on the success of our 2024 Historic Log Building Summit in Nacogdoches, Preservation Texas is hosting the Historic Log Building Symposium 2.0 in Huntsville this year.

This event is part of Preservation Texas's broader effort to support the preservation of Texas's historic log buildings, including our new $750,000 National Park Service-funded Historic Rural Log Building Grant Program. The symposium's discussions and presentations will help inform the development of a Texas Log Building Preservation Manual, establishing the first Texas-specific best practices for the treatment of our state's vernacular log buildings.

Pictured: Sam Houston Memorial Museum

Thursday Field Seminar:

An optional Field Seminar is being offered on Thursday, September 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, which is home to several original, reconstructed, and relocated log buildings.

Led by Louisiana-based historic timber-framing and log building preservation specialist Jean Becnel, participants will explore the traditional craft of log construction through live demonstrations and hands-on instruction in hewing and notching techniques. Participants will also enjoy a guided exploration of the museum's collection of log buildings, examining their construction methods, materials, and preservation challenges. 

Registration for the Field Seminar is $75 per person and is limited to 25 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration fee includes a boxed lunch, as well as admission to the Symposium's opening reception and keynote presentation on Thursday evening.

Pictured: The Sam Houston Memorial Museum grounds at Sam Houston State University

On Friday, September 4, attendees will hear presentations from preservation professionals, craftspeople, and scholars on a range of topics related to the preservation of historic log buildings. Boxed lunches will be provided. An optional tour of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum grounds will be offered following the program.

Session Topics and Speakers Include:

• BUILDING TRADITIONS: REGIONAL FORMS OF TEXAS LOG ARCHITECTURE
  Ken Hafertepe, Ph.D, Professor of Museum Studies, Baylor University

• WOOD BY REGION: SPECIES SELECTION AND LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE IN HISTORIC TEXAS LOG BUILDINGS
  Matthew McBroom, Ph.D, Associate Dean, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University

• DESIGNED FOR THE GULF: HOW HISTORIC LOG BUILDINGS RESPOND TO CLIMATE
  Jason Logan, Associate Professor, Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, University of Houston

• REPAIR, REPLACE, OR RETAIN? APPROACHES TO LOG REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT
  Jean Becnel Sr., Owner, Architectural Preservation LLC

• WATERLOG’D: A CASE STUDY FROM GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
  Murray Miller, Historic Preservation Manager, Cushing Terrell

Registration:

Symposium + Field Seminar: $225

• Includes the Thursday Field Seminar, Thursday evening keynote & reception, and Friday programming.

Symposium Only: $150

• Includes the Thursday evening keynote & reception, and Friday programming.

Field Seminar Only: $75

• Includes the Thursday Field Seminar and Thursday evening keynote & reception only.

Current Preservation Texas members receive 10% off registration fees! Visit preservationtexas.org/symposium to learn more and register today.

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BUILDINGS ON THE MOVE: CASE STUDIES IN RELOCATING HISTORIC STRUCTURES

Thursday, August 13, 2026 in New Braunfels

Join Preservation Texas in New Braunfels for a one-day Summit exploring the challenges, opportunities, and best practices involved in moving historic buildings. Through a series of recent Central Texas case studies, speakers will examine the historical context behind building relocations and share lessons learned from projects that have successfully balanced preservation goals with practical realities.

Pictured: The Palm House in Round Rock being relocated in 2024.

The event will take place on August 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the New Braunfels Conservation Society’s Historic Old Town (1300 Church Hill Drive), a 3.5-acre heritage village featuring 18 relocated nineteenth-century German-Texan structures. During the lunch break, attendees will have the opportunity to tour several of the site’s historic buildings. Lunch is included with registration.

Case Studies/ Session Topics and Speakers Include:

• TINER HENDRICK HOUSE (Sutherland Springs)
  Melinda Creech, Founder, Friends of the Tiner Hendrick House

• DESSAU LUTHERAN CHURCH (Austin)
  Michael Ward, Chair & CEO, Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms

• PALM HOUSE (Round Rock)
  Ben Heimsath, Principal, Heimsath Architects

• BUDA MOPAC RAILROAD DEPOT (Buda)
  Jennifer Storm, CEO, Buda Economic Development Corporation

• RELOCATION & DECONSTRUCTION ORDINANCES (Austin)
  Lindsey Derrington, Executive Director, Preservation Austin

• HISTORIC STRUCTURE MOVING LOGISTICS
  Gator Dodson, Owner, Dodson House Moving

In-person registration is $40 for current Preservation Texas members, or $50 for non-members. A virtual attendance option is also available. In-person registration is limited to 50 attendees. Visit preservationtexas.org/ctxsummit26 to learn more and register while spots remain!

Pictured: The 1887 Tiner-Hendrick House in Sutherland Springs being moved in May of 2026.