Villa de Austin Recovery Campaign

On Friday, April 9th, 2021, the newly constructed "courthouse" building, part of the Villa de Austin exhibit at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, was destroyed in a fire. The Texas Historical Commission and the Friends of the THC are committed to rebuilding this integral part of the Villa de Austin exhibit over the next few months.  Many of you have reached out to us offering your support in this effort.  Please join us in rebuilding this exhibit by making a contribution to the Villa de Austin Fire Recovery Campaign. 100% of your contributions will support the rebuilding and refurnishing of the courthouse building. 

Support recovery efforts here.

Friends of the Texas Historical Commission 25th Anniversary Celebration Events 

We will be celebrating the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission's 25th anniversary throughout 2021 with a series of virtual and (potentially) in-person events, featuring food history discussions and demonstrations in partnership with state hiistoric sites, as well as some one-on-one time with authors and historians that we have the privilege of working with. We hope you will be able to join us for these events and help us celebrate 25 years of partnership with the Texas Historical Commission. 

Upcoming Virtual Events:

SATURDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2:00PM Central Time

Celia's Bake Oven at Villa de Austin: Tavern Biscuits - Join us for a virtual food history discussion and cooking demonstration as we make tavern biscuits at the San Felipe State Historic Site! This virtual event will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the soon-to-open Villa de Austin outdoor exhibit - a re-creation of one block of the 1823 headquarters of Stephen F. Austin’s colony. 

SATURDAY, MAY 8TH, 11:00AM Central Time

Hungry For Hot Sauce! Join us on Saturday, May 8 at 11:00 AM CDT for a virtual food history discussion and cooking demonstration focused on the long history of hot sauce!

Please CLICK HERE for more information or to register.  The events are free, but registration is required.

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2021 Friends Alliance Award Recipients Announced

We were excited to officially recognize and celebrate this year's Friends Alliance Award recipients during the Real Places 2021 virtual conference! Lois Lacy is awarded the Friends Alliance Award for Friendraising in recognition of her work in organizing an engaged and sustainable Friends Group organization to support Mission Dolores State Historic Site in San Augustine, Texas. Sharon Cowell is awarded the Friends Alliance Award for Civic Engagement in recognition of her work with the Magoffin Home State Historic Site in El Paso. Read more about their work in support of these THC state historic sites! 

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Making a Difference