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A change has been proposed to state law that will make it possible for all Texas counties to fund preservation projects. Preservation Texas supports this change. What is proposed? House Bill 1756 and Senate Bill 1542 are identical. Both would change existing law to allow counties of any size to grant money from the county’s general fund to a nonprofit organization to purchase, construct, restore, preserve, maintain, or reconstruct historic landmarks and buildings of significance… More »
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This is an update on historic preservation-related legislative activity during the 87th Texas Legislative Session. Legislation is being considered in Austin that impact historic district designation, county funding for preservation, tax credits, markers, monuments, local tax appraisals, Main Street, and related issues. The bill filing deadline was March 12, and bills are being assigned to House and Senate committees and public hearings are being scheduled. Your input is valuable to our democratic process. Keep informed… More »
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The Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committee of the Texas House of Representatives will hold a public hearing at 1:00 PM CST on Monday, March 22, 2021 to consider House Bill 1474, introduced by Rep. John Cyrier. We want you to know that the last minute changes to the original bill filed in January would require a 75% supermajority vote of local governing bodies to approve the inclusion of individual properties against owner consent within a local… More »
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PRESERVATION TEXAS WELCOMES SERENA PUTEGNAT OF BROWNSVILLE TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brownsville attorney and preservationist Serena Putegnat has joined the Preservation Texas Board of Directors for a three-year term. We look forward to working with Serena to address critical preservation issues in South Texas. Also returning to the board for a second three-year term will be preservation architect Charles John of San Antonio. The board has been meeting virtually and will continue to do so… More »
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Texas Dance Hall Preservation raises over $250,000 for Dance Hall Relief Austin, TX – Texas Dance Hall Preservation (TDHP) has closed fundraising in December for the Texas Dance Hall Relief Fund after exceeding its goal. Due to COVID-19, dance halls across Texas have been largely closed down since March 2020, with many forced to cancel annual festivals and fundraisers, countless weddings, and other events that provide their primary source of income. In August, TDHP invited… More »
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The Texas Historical Commission approved fifteen Undertold Marker topics at its quarterly meeting on February 3, 2021. A total of 67 applications were made from 36 counties. Included among the fifteen was a marker topic submitted by Preservation Texas recognizing the Chinese laborers who worked on the construction of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad in 1870 between Bremond (Robertson Co.) and Thornton (Limestone Co.). The marker is to be placed adjacent to the railroad… More »
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Alpine: Museum of the Big Bend receives $750,000 NEH grant The Texas Centennial building will get much needed updates and upgrades to its infrastructure including HVAC and security systems… Austin: Oral histories of Downs Field donated to Austin History Center, Huston-Tillotson Originally conceived as a racially segregated facility in the Jim Crow era, Downs Field was home to the Negro Baseball League’s Austin Black Senators, the Austin Black Pioneers, the Austin Greyhounds, the Austin Indians, and the… More »