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Our Mission

  • Texas history is unique, colorful, and vast. Realizing the need to preserve Texan's shared history, the Texas Historical Foundation was incorporated in 1954 as a 501 (c) (3) organization to take on this mission. Using public donations, THF invests in this work by providing funds to nonprofits that are saving the buildings, artifacts, documents and traditions of the Lone Star past."

Over the years, Texas Historical Foundation has helped hundreds of organizations reach their preservation goals.

  • Projects Funded

    491

  • Dollars Given

    $2,464,705

2025 Star of Texas Honoree: Dale Sellers and Phoenix 1

Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction Ltd. has become Texas's premiere historic preservation construction company. Dale Sellers started the company in 1999 based on his passion for preserving the places that tell the story of Texas. He has built a highly specialized team of craftspeople, allowing Phoenix 1 to work on the most complex preservation projects and buildings of all types, sizes, and ages.

Phoenix 1's first project was restoring the John F. Kennedy Memorial in Dallas, followed by the Shackleford County Courthouse in Albany. They have since completed 32 courthouse preservation projects and notably replaced all 788 windows at the Texas State Capitol, with the copper roof replacement currently underway. The company has also worked on various buildings at Fair Park in Dallas, including the Hall of State which is widely regarded as the most significant Art Deco building in the State of Texas. Other projects include the French Legation site in Austin, the Sharrock Niblo Cabin in Dallas, the Opal Lawrence Homestead in Mesquite, the Sam Rayburn House Museum in Bonham, and the Halbouty Lecture Hall at Texas A&M. To date, Phoenix 1 has completed 500 preservation projects in Texas.

Phoenix 1 and Dale Sellers have left an indelible mark on historic sites in Texas. With their breadth of work and their devotion to high-quality preservation projects, they have been selected to receive the 2025 Star of Texas Award

Check out Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction to see photos of their work, and join us for an incredible award event in Austin on April 25!


The Star of Texas Award honors individuals, or businesses, for their exceptional contributions toward preserving the Lone Star State’s history and culture while inspiring its future.

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