At a celebration held at the San Antonio Botanical Garden this April, the Texas Historical Foundation recognized four outstanding organizations with the 2026 Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards, providing a total of $160,000 in funding to support their preservation efforts. Established in memory of former THF board member and architect Michael C. Duda, the awards honor organizations that demonstrate sustained excellence in preserving Texas history while helping fund future preservation projects.

Following a competitive statewide nomination process, a jury of preservation professionals selected four recipients whose work exemplifies the power of historic preservation to strengthen communities and preserve Texas’ unique heritage.

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Houston

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum received the first-place $100,000 award to support the next phase of restoring the historic 1925 Houston Light Guard Armory, the museum's home, including interior restoration and new exhibits following extensive damage from Hurricane Harvey.

Hemisfair Conservancy, San Antonio

The Hemisfair Conservancy received the second-place $30,000 award for the restoration of the historic 1885 Kusch House, part of its broader efforts to transform the former 1968 World’s Fair site into a vibrant urban parks district while preserving remaining historic structures.

The Chinati Foundation, Marfa

The Chinati Foundation will use its third-place $20,000 award on preservation work to its historic artillery sheds at the former Fort D.A. Russell. Originally built in the early 20th century, the campus is now dedicated to showcasing a world-renowned collection of art, architecture, and the West Texas landscape.

Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, Austin

Friends of THC received the Directors' Recognition Award for work at the Magoffin Home State Historic Site in El Paso, a rare territorial-style adobe structure. The work includes replacing damaging cement-based plaster with traditional lime-based plaster to protect the historic adobe walls. 

A special highlight of the evening was a series of films by Michael Birnbaum Productions featuring the story and work of each award recipient. Through on-site footage and interviews with organizational leaders, attendees experienced firsthand the historic places, preservation successes, and future projects that inspired the jury's selections. The films offered a deeper look at the people and stories behind the work, illustrating how preservation strengthens communities and connects Texans to their shared heritage. 

Additional videos revisited the inaugural 2024 Duda Award recipients, providing updates on how award funding has helped advance their preservation goals and demonstrating the lasting impact of the Duda Awards program across the state.

To experience the stories, places, and people behind this year’s awards, we encourage you to watch the recipient films and browse the event photos below, and watch for the full length version of this article in the next issue of Authentic Texas magazine - delivered quarterly to all THF members.