The Texas Historical Foundation proudly presented the 2026 Michael C. Duda Preservation Awards on April 30th at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, honoring four exceptional organizations leading the way in preserving Texas’ historic architecture. Named in memory of architect and former board member Michael C. Duda, the awards provide up to $100,000—making them among the most significant preservation honors in the state.

The Duda Awards carry forward Michael’s deep commitment to Texas history, celebrating the essential role preservation plays in our cultural and civic life. Proceeds from the event support THF’s efforts across Texas to protect and share our state’s rich heritage.

Honoring Michael C. Duda

2026 Winners

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Houston

The 2026 Duda Preservation Award first-place winners received $100,000 for their outstanding work restoring the 1925 Houston Light Guard Armory, home to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. 

Founded in 2001, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the legacy of Black Americans in the military through exhibitions, educational programming, and the arts. Before relocating to the historic 1925 Houston Light Guard Armory in 2012, the museum invested $4.1 million to rehabilitate the building and reopen it as a community-centered space. After Hurricane Harvey caused extensive structural damage in 2017, the museum launched a $13 million restoration campaign to stabilize and restore the building. Phase one addressed critical repairs including masonry restoration, roof repairs, drainage improvements, and water intrusion mitigation, while award funds will support the second phase now underway, including restoration of original paint schemes and wood floors, installation of period-appropriate lighting, and creation of new exhibits. Film by Mark Birnbaum.

Hemisfair Conservancy, San Antonio

Champions of the once-neglected Hemisfair District were recognized with the second place $30,000 prize for their work at the 1885 Kusch House. 

The Hemisfair Conservancy supports the transformation of the historic 1968 World’s Fair site into a vibrant urban parks district in downtown San Antonio, while preserving its historic structures and cultural legacy. In partnership with the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp. and the City of San Antonio, the Conservancy has helped restore five historic properties since 2017, including the 1885 Gothic Revival Kusch House, one of the site’s oldest remaining homes. Recent work has included structural stabilization, porch restoration, cellar reconstruction, wall repairs, and partial restoration of historic doors and windows. Award funding will support the next phase of restoration, including masonry repairs and continued restoration of the Kusch House’s historic windows and doors. Film by Mark Birnbaum.

Chinati Foundation, Marfa

Recognized with the third-place $20,000 prize, the Chinati Foundation was founded by artist Donald Judd in 1986 to transform the former Fort D.A. Russell into a world-renowned site for large-scale contemporary art and historic preservation. Judd’s adaptive reuse of the military buildings, including artillery sheds housing his 100 untitled mill aluminum works, remains central to Chinati’s mission of preserving art, architecture, and landscape while expanding public access. Guided by a 2017 master plan, the Foundation has undertaken major preservation efforts across its 340-acre campus, and award funds will support continued restoration of the artillery sheds, accessibility improvements, and integration of new walking paths within the historic landscape. Film by Mark Birnbaum.

Friends of the Texas Historical Commission

Recognized with an Honorable Mention Director’s Recognition Award, the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission was founded in 1996 to support the excavation of the La Belle shipwreck and has since expanded its mission to preserve and share Texas history through philanthropy, education, and community preservation efforts. The organization has supported numerous Texas Historical Commission historic sites, including the Eisenhower Birthplace, French Legation, and Fulton Mansion. Award funding will support preservation work at the Magoffin Home State Historic Site, a rare territorial-style adobe structure operated by the Texas Historical Commission, including research and restoration efforts to replace damaging cement-based plaster with traditional lime-based plaster to better protect the historic adobe walls and inform future preservation practices across the Southwest. Film by Mark Birnbaum.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Corinthian

The Costanza Family
The Fritz & Mary Lee Duda Family Foundation
The Lewis and Dilworth Family Fund and Michael and June Graham
Venverloh Family Foundation
James Wikert

Doric

Tom and Susan Doell and Michael and Marguerite Marz
Danelle Baldwin Smith

Interested in applying for the 2028 Duda Awards?

Sign up below to be notified when applications open in mid-2027. You can also find more details about the application process on our Duda Awards Grants Page