With less than a month remaining until the second biennial Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards on April 30th at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, excitement is building. Created in memory of architect and former THF board member Michael C. Duda, the awards honor organizations whose sustained dedication is safeguarding Texas’ historic places for generations to come.

In the lead-up to the event, THF President & CEO David Preziosi and a film crew from Mark Birnbaum Productions have been on the road visiting this year’s awardees—filming at their sites and conducting interviews to help share the powerful stories behind their work. These films will be shown at the event and provide glimpses into preservation in action, making this year’s celebration even more meaningful. There will also be updates from the 2024 winners and how the Duda Award impacted their work.

THF will once again invest directly in preservation projects across the state with the 2026 Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards, providing four transformative gifts of $100,000, $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000 to the winners. Following the success of the inaugural awards in 2024—which provided significant momentum to recipients in Wheelock, Austin, Cuero, and Houston—this year’s impact is sure to be just as inspiring.

Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are still available, and we invite you to be part of an unforgettable evening that not only recognizes preservation excellence—but helps make it possible.

The Villa Finale Museum & Gardens will use its funding to repair the original limestone fence at the 1878 Italianate-style mansion, located in the heart of San Antonio's King William Historic District. Villa Finale, now a museum, was the last home of civic leader and historic preservationist Walter Nold Mathis.

TSHA's grant supported its 2026 Annual Meeting, held this year in Irving. Bringing together historians, educators, preservationists, and history experts from across the state, the conference is an important forum for sharing research, fostering collaboration, and promoting a deeper understanding of Texas history.

The historic Old Mill House in San Saba, a beloved gathering place for the community, faced an uncertain future after devastating floods swept through the area in July 2025. THF presented a grant to the San Saba Garden Club to assist with the restoration of this treasured space.

Rosenberg Railroad Museum’s grant supports restoration of the 1938 ASTF #3401 Railway Post Office/Baggage Car, addressing safety, accessibility and climate control. The car, featuring original mail slots labeled for Texas towns, will become an interactive exhibit on the vital role of railroads in U.S. mail and cargo delivery.

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.  

Diane Davis, Anson
Michelle Parten, Crockett

Allen County Public Library - Genealogy Periodicals, Ft. Wayne
Amon Cater Museum Library, Fort Worth 
Bosque Museum, Clifton
Dr Pepper Museum, Waco
Fort Bend History Association, Richmond
Maner Memorial Library, Cisco
Texas Archive of the Moving Image, Austin
The Lubbock Women's Club Historical Foundation, Lubbock
TransSynergy Group, Irving
Woolfolk Digital Preservation Lab / Mt. Zion Memorial Fund, Irving
See all Institution-level Partners

Elizabeth and Jerry Susser
in Memory of Genevieve Rogers