Texas Historical Commission

      FREDERICKSBURG, Texas — The National Museum of the Pacific War, a Texas Historical Commission (THC) property operated by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, will host a grand reopening of the expanded museum Dec. 7, 2009. The ceremony will feature remarks from George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, as an honored guest as well as the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway. Accompanying events begin the evening of Friday, Dec. 4 with Fredericksburg’s Lighted Christmas Parade and continue through Dec. 7.

      The new 33,000-square-foot George H.W. Bush Gallery is a comprehensive and engaging collection of the Pacific War Theater of World War II and is the only institution in the continental United States dedicated exclusively to telling this story. Planned by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, the facility will also house the Center for Pacific War Studies, a curatorial and research site for the museum’s collections. THC Commissioner Tom Alexander was deeply involved in the project, working with the museum and the foundation on the expansion.

      The National Museum of the Pacific War is located on a six-acre site in Fredericksburg and includes the George H.W. Bush Gallery, Admiral Nimitz Museum, Plaza of Presidents, Veterans’ Walk of Honor and Memorial Wall, Japanese Garden of Peace, Pacific Combat Zone, and the Center for Pacific War Studies.

      To learn more about the National Museum of the Pacific War visit www.PacificWarMuseum.org. For additional information about the Dec. 7 event visit www.nationalmuseumpacificwar.org.

NEW WEB SITES TELL THE REAL STORIES OF HISTORIC SITES

       AUSTIN, Texas — Nineteen new web sites featuring the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) historic properties are now active, highlighting the unique stories of these real places from Texas’ past. The web sites are an upgrade from the previous single web pages to full, stand-alone web sites.

      From frontier forts to Civil War battlegrounds to stoic mansions, these new web sites provide educational and interpretational information that heighten the visitor experience and open a window on these significant moments in our state’s history. Each web site reflects a tailored and memorable look that is enhanced by vivid photographs of each property.

      Utilize the sites’ event calendars before planning your trip and to keep up with special celebrations. Visit Share Your Story to tell us about your site visit and to read about the real encounters of others. Refer to the FAQs to get your questions answered before you start your trip, and check out the historic sites blog link to stay connected to all of your favorite historic properties. Direct links to the THC’s Texas Heritage Trails Program guides visitors to more regional attractions near the 19 historic properties. Keep checking back as the web sites will continue to incorporate additional features in the future, such as video and podcasts. 

      To explore the 19 new web sites visit www.texashistoricsites.com and select a historic property. For more information on the THC’s historic sites contact the Historic Sites Division at 512.463.7948.

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION WORKSHOPS PROVIDE SMALL MUSEUMS WITH TOOLS TO ENHANCE COLLECTIONS

      AUSTIN, Texas — In January, March and April 2010 the Texas Historical Commission (THC) will offer practical workshops on collections care targeting small history museums throughout the state. The aim of the workshops is to raise awareness of effective collections management policies and procedures for these facilities. “Knowing What You Have: An Introduction to Collections Policies and Documentation” will be led by THC Museum Services Program staff Laura Casey and Carlyn Hammons and are coordinated in partnership with the Texas Heritage Trails Program.

      Occurring in 8 locations throughout the state, the workshops incorporate lectures, demonstrations, group discussions and hands-on exercises to help participants understand standards for collections management and duties as stewards. Attendees will gain knowledge and practical skills that can help develop effective policies and procedures to benefit the preservation and documentation of collections. The workshops are geared toward history museum staff and volunteers who are new to collections care and museums that do not have an official collections management policy.

      The cost of each workshop is $25 and limited to two registrations per organization. The first workshop will be held in Johnson City on Jan. 14. To register for the workshops visit www.thc.state.tx.us for details. For more information about the THC’s Museum Services Program contact the History Programs Division at 512.463.5853.

LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION FOR A THC AWARD

      AUSTIN, Texas — December is the final month to show appreciation for your local preservationists with a nomination for one of the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) numerous preservation awards. The awards will be presented at the agency’s annual conference held in Houston, April 22–24. 

      The THC honors individuals and organizations committed to saving the real stories of Texas and our state’s historic treasures. Two of the most prestigious awards are the Ruth Lester Lifetime Achievement Award and the Curtis D. Tunnell Lifetime Achievement Award in Archeology. Other awards include the Anice B. Read Award of Excellence in Community Heritage Development, the George Christian Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award and the Award of Excellence in Media Achievement. 

      December is also the last opportunity for students to submit their applications for the THC’s Preservation Fellows Program. The program strives to increase the diversity of professionals working in the field of historic preservation and targets undergraduate and graduate students to promote their interest in pursuing fields of study in history, preservation, architecture, landscape architecture, archeology, downtown revitalization and heritage tourism.

      In addition, the THC recognizes Texas history authors with the T.R. Fehrenbach Book Award. Named in honor of historian and THC Commissioner Emeritus T.R. Fehrenbach, the award recognizes writing based on original research that preserves, records and recounts the prehistory or history of the state. Books submitted for the award must have a 2009 copyright date and a minimum print run of 200.

       The deadline for preservation award nominations is 5 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2009. Final submissions for the Preservation Fellows Program and the T.R. Fehrenbach Book Award are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2009. To obtain a complete listing of awards available and a nomination form for submissions visit www.thc.state.tx.us.