2026 Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards |
Excitement is building for the second biennial Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards, returning April 30 to the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Created in memory of architect and former Texas Historical Foundation board member Michael C. Duda, the awards celebrate organizations whose sustained dedication is safeguarding Texas’ historic places for generations to come.
In 2026, THF will once again invest directly in preservation projects across the state, awarding four transformative gifts of $100,000, $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000. In 2024, the inaugural awards demonstrated just how powerful that investment can be, providing meaningful momentum to recipients in Wheelock, Austin, Cuero, and Houston and amplifying their community impact.
This year’s celebration promises to be an inspiring evening honoring the very best in Texas preservation. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are now available, and we invite you to be part of a night that not only recognizes excellence—but helps make it possible.
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Seven Preservation Groups Receive Texas
Historical Foundation Funding |
The Texas Historical Foundation is proud to announce seven grant recipients in its Winter 2026 funding cycle. Supporting projects ranging from Indigenous heritage and Spanish Colonial history to historic sites, museums, and community landmarks, this round of grants reflects THF’s ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing the diverse stories of Texas across the state.
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- The Mexican American Museum of Texas, Dallas, will use grant funds to develop “Spanish Texas During the American Revolution: Life and Legacy”, a traveling exhibition and panel series highlighting the role and influence of Spanish Texas during the nation’s break from British rule and providing insight into Tejano life in the late 18th century.
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Edwards Plateau Archaeological Research Group, Abilene, in partnership with Abilene Christian University, will embark on a collaborative excavation of Paint Rock archeological site, bringing together academic researchers and Coahuilteco, Camanche, and Lipan Apache members to interpret one of the state’s most significant Indigenous rock art sites.
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San Saba Garden Club, San Saba, received support for ongoing repairs to the Old Mill House, a beloved local landmark and community gathering space. The historic mill suffered extensive damage in the devastating flash floods that swept Central Texas in July 2025.
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Museum of the West Texas Frontier, Stamford, was awarded funds to expand its signature History Alive education initiative, which brings TEKS-based social studies curriculum to rural Title 1 schools at no cost to participating schools. This grant will grow the program’s reach, delivering modules led by accredited teachers and developed by renowned history institutions to an additional 1,300 West Texas students in 2026.
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Villa Finale Museum and Gardens, San Antonio, will address delamination on the original limestone fence at Villa Finale, an 1878 Italianate-style mansion in the heart of the King William Historic District. Now a museum, Villa Finale was the last home of civic leader and historic preservationist, Walter Nold Mathis.
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Latinos in Heritage Conservation, Bastrop, received support for a special installment of their Latinx Preservation Toolkit initiative in partnership with the historic LULAC Council 60. The Houston event will bring together 200 participants for an exchange of history, ideas, and tactics for successful community-led preservation efforts.
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Kay Theater Foundation, Rockdale, will use grant funds to restore the stucco exterior of the historic deco-influenced Kay Theater. Once ubiquitous, the WWII-era Quonset hut theater is now the only one of its kind still operating in Texas.
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Since 1954, the Texas Historical Foundation has funded historic preservation and education projects throughout the state, empowering communities to save their own pieces of the Lonestar past. For more information, visit our website.
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February Grant Presentation:
Texas Center at Schreiner University |
THF provided a Fall 2025 grant to support The Texas Center at Schreiner University’s documentary "Wurst of Texas." The documentary is part of the Center’s "We Are What We Eat" exhibition, created in partnership with Flavory Texas. It focuses on Texas food traditions through traveling museum exhibits, public events, and a 30-minute documentary that follows photographer Al Rendon as he captures the traditions of sausage-making in Texas. The exhibit is at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg until March 9th.
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Rick Bluntzer Appointed to Board of Directors |
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The Texas Historical Foundation is pleased to welcome Rick Bluntzer of San Antonio to its Board of Directors. A seasoned leader in public affairs and government relations, Rick currently serves as Chairman of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum in Cuero and is active with the Old Trail Drivers Association of Texas and the Devil’s River Conservancy. His extensive experience in state and federal policy, including senior roles with the International Code Council and the Lower Colorado River Authority, brings valuable strategic insight to THF’s preservation mission.
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Vanessa Baker, Dallas
Patrick Biggins, Corpus Christie
Catherine Blair, Dallas
Worth Kilcrease, Austin
Henry Mayo, College Station
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Egelberto and Patricia Preziosi, Dripping Springs
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Border Patrol Museum and Memorial Library Foundation, El Paso
Friends of LBJ National Historic Park, Johnson City
Mid Tex Mod Chapter of DOCOMOMO, Austin
New Braunfels Railroad Museum, New Braunfels
Prairie Chapel School Community Building Association, Crawford
Smith County Historical Society, Tyler
Stone Fort Museum, Nacogdoches
The Chinati Foundation, Marfa
The Sophienburg Museum and Archive, New Braunfels
See all Institution-level Partners
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Thank you for your donation! |
Tom and Susan Doell
James Harkins
Michael and Marguerite Marz
Elizabeth and Jerry Susser
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Want to help preserve the places and stories that make Texas unique? Join us today! |
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