Caddo Mounds State Historic Site Disaster Recovery

On Saturday, April 13, 2019, a tornado devastated the THC's Caddo Mounds State Historic Site. The visitors center building was destroyed by the storm, and the Caddo Grass House is gone. Many guests at the site were injured by the storm, and one visitor lost her life.

While the damage was extensive, the Caddo Mounds themselves, along with the site's invaluable archeological and cultural history, were left untouched.

The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission is raising funds to rebuild the grass house, a precious structure that was a labor of love by members of the Caddo Nation and the community. Learn more about the fundraising efforts here.

We hope you will join us in Austin, January 29-31, 2020 for the fourth annual Real Places Conference presented by Phoenix I Restoration & Construction. Hosted by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, the conference will provide an opportunity for preservationists and officials to network and learn with county historical commissions, Main Street managers and participants, historic preservation officers and design review boards, architects and engineers, historians, archeologists, curators, interpreters, managers of museums and historic sites, as well as Texas Historical Commission staff, Texas Heritage Trail Regions, and other partner agencies.

Learn More | Become a Sponsor/Exhibitor

Doing History Youth Camp Now Accepting Applications!

The Texas Historical Commission and Friends of the Texas Historical Commission are pleased to offer a summer camp program for rising 4th-7th graders focusing on Texas history and historic preservation content. The camp includes a daily field trip, creative content experiences, oral history collection, a community-based service event, and the option for extended afternoon activities. The goal of the camp is to encourage student engagement in historic preservation opportunities and to provide TEKS-aligned learning experiences related to Texas history, all while having good ol' camp fun! The camp is led by trained teachers, education specialists, and field experts and features a small student/adult ratio. Student scholarships are available.

The deadline for applications is May 20, 2019. Camp dates and application information can be found here! 

Development Seminar Dates Announced for 2019

The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission coordinates Development Seminars geared towards volunteer leadership (board members and advisors) and staff from nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about securing philanthropic support for their organization. The series is suited for large and small organizations from any discipline with limited development staff, and highlights best practices while facilitating dynamic group interactions to help attendees build and strengthen their fundraising "tool-kit" so they can more effectively and sustainably achieve their mission.

Click here for upcoming dates and registration information!

Making a Difference