Mission

Since 1954 the mission of the Texas Historical Foundation (THF) has been to preserve Texas history. That includes conserving artifacts, restoring buildings, archiving documents, gathering and sharing stories, and safeguarding Lone Star culture. From the beginning, we have understood one simple principle: “For Texas we will—and for Texas we must!”

THF believes in and supports Lone Star values that have made this state great, including unity, diversity, and inclusion for all. As Texans preserving Texas, these beliefs are part of THF’s core mission.

History

The Texas State Historical Survey Committee (now the Texas Historical Commission) was created by the Fifty-third Legislature on June 4, 1953, to identify private preservationists and the location of the state’s endangered historical artifacts and papers. The Texas Historical Foundation was established on January 11, 1954, to provide most of the TSHSC funding. In 1971, as the State assumed a funding role for the Survey Committee, THF began to independently seek out worthy projects, explore critical preservation, and establish endowments that supported programs around the state. This good work continues today…all supported by private donations…nearly 70 years later.

For almost 70 years, THF has helped: