Past Matters, Summer 2025, Published 6/23/2025
The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC), in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission (THC), were delighted to present the 9th annual Real Places Conference in Austin on April 23-25. The premiere historic preservation conference in Texas, Real Places brings together individuals and organizations from a broad array of backgrounds for three days of energetic networking and learning. Historic preservation officers, historians, county historical commissions, architects and engineers, archaeologists, curators, interpreters, managers of museums and historic sites, scholars, students, as well as Texas Historical Commission staff and partner organizations come together to share the latest trends in historic preservation and connect with others doing phenomenal work to preserve, conserve, and tell the stories of our collective past.
Real Places 2025 certainly was one for the books, as registrations set a new high record. Attendees delighted in fascinating keynote presentations. Andrew Feiler gave an overview of the Rosenwald schools, a subject explored more fully in his book A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America, which contains photos from his research of 105 Rosenwald schools. In her keynote address America250: Inspiring the American Spirit, Rosie Rios, Chair of America 250, United States Congressional Commission, detailed plans to commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Drawing on her both her professional career as a conductor and her passionate love for trains, Mandy Lockaby shared inspiring stories of how women throughout history have made incredible contributions to the railroad industry. Andrew Torget enlivened audiences as he told the story of Galveston Island and the Great Storm of 1900. Finally, presenters Stanley Graves, Principal Emeritus at Architexas and Susan Tietz, Program Coordinator in the Courthouse Preservation Program within the Division of Architecture at the Texas Historical Commission wowed attendees with stories and images of amazing courthouse restoration projects from around Texas and shared the fascinating history of the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program.
Workshops and panels on a vast array of topics including “Mindful Maintenance: Caring for Architectural Finishes and Materials,” by THC staff member Izabella Nuckels, “Relating Across the Ages: A Multigenerational Conversation about Historic Preservation,” by FTHC staff member Kristy Peloquin, and “Relating Across the Ages: A Multigenerational Conversation about Historic Preservation,” by FTHC executive director Anjali Zutshi encouraged conversations and provided the opportunity to learn about many aspects related to the work of historic preservation. One attendee shared with us:
“The sessions were not only well organized but also filled with valuable insights that sparked meaningful conversations and fresh ideas. It was inspiring to hear from thought leaders who are not just experts in their fields, but also passionate communicators.”
Real Places has grown to become one of the most outstanding historic preservation conferences in existence, and this tremendous feat would genuinely not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners. We were thrilled to welcome Phoenix I Restoration and Construction as our title partner once again. We would also like to thank our conference sponsors.
We are also extremely grateful for the support of over twenty-four preservation nonprofits and media organizations as our Partners in Preservation and Media Partners this year.
Thank you to all our partners and friends who make Real Places come to life each year. If you didn’t get a chance to join us in 2025, we hope you’ll attend in 2026 and see for yourself what all the conference has to offer!
