Lone Star State’s official agency for historic preservation celebrates completion of largest-ever project, honors WWII veterans, expands downtown revitalization efforts
AUSTIN, Texas — The 2025 tale of the tape is in, and the Texas Historical Commission recorded a year of major achievements. But one accomplishment is truly historic – the reopening of a completely reimagined Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site following a $54 million renovation — the most expansive project in the agency’s history.
Honoring the Greatest Generation(s) of Texans
The November 7-8 grand reopening transformed the birthplace of Texas independence with interactive museum exhibits, a detailed recreation of what residents at the 1830s townsite experienced, and enhanced visitor facilities that bring the story of the Texas Republic to life for modern audiences.
“This project, in partnership with the Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation, is a major investment in one of the most significant places in Texas history,” said Texas Historical Commission (THC) Chairman John L. Nau, III. “Our goal was to create a powerful, immersive experience that brings to life the events of 1836 and with these new elements in place, we’re doing just that.”
That milestone came in November but was not the last 2025 accomplishment the state’s official historic preservation agency that manages 42 historic sites across Texas and oversees economic development and community enhancement programs statewide.
On December 6, the agency joined the Admiral Nimitz Foundation to reopen the renovated George H.W. Bush Gallery at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg. Four World War II veterans attended the ceremony, with one cutting the ceremonial ribbon — a poignant reminder of the dwindling ranks of those who served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
The gallery honors the 41st president, himself a naval aviator in World War II. His grandson, former Texas General Land Commissioner George P. Bush, delivered remarks emphasizing the president’s lifelong commitment to recognizing his fellow service members.
Revitalizing Downtowns While Preserving History
October saw the culmination of a two-year, $8.4 million restoration funded through the Texas Historical Commission’s Historic Courthouse Preservation Program as the fully restored Wise County Courthouse in Decatur returned to its iconic 1896 grandeur as landmark and heart of the community.
“We are truly grateful that the Texas legislature for the support that they give us in this important work,” said Texas Historical Commission Vice Chair Garrett Donnelly. “The THC is excited to deploy these investments in preserving our heritage while strengthening local economies across the state.”
The ceremony featured remarks from Wise County Judge J.D. Clark, who also joined nearly 100 architects, contractors, county officials, and preservation experts in Austin and New Braunfels Nov. 20-21 for the Duda Forum on Historic Preservation and Sustainable Development. Sponsored by the University of Notre Dame’s Michael Christopher Duda Center for Preservation, Resilience, and Sustainability, THC and the Texas Historical Foundation, this year’s forum explored the state’s courthouse preservation efforts, and judges shared powerful stories of courthouse restorations’ impacts in their counties.
The Commission also welcomed two new communities — Borger and Killeen — into the acclaimed Texas Main Street Program, bringing together by the end of 2025 a total of 82 cities committed to revitalizing their historic downtowns through preservation-based economic development. Since 1981, the program has helped Texas communities leverage their historic character to attract businesses, tourists, and investment.
Texas History Comes Home
The THC unveiled a historical marker for Luther Hall, the 1940 building on its own Austin campus that once served as a Sunday school for Gethsemane Lutheran Church, in November. Today, it houses the agency’s History Programs Division, which oversees Texas’s historical marker program — more than 16,000 markers across the state.
The year end holiday season saw the agency inviting Texans to experience history firsthand at holiday events across its historic sites, from Christmas celebrations at San Felipe to Victorian festivities at Fort McKavett. But even if Texans couldn’t get out to a State Historic Site in 2025, they could order Texas history delivered to their home at the THC online gift shop, TexasHolidayGifts.com, which offers a curated selection of gifts year round.
Many Texans ordered the agency’s new publication, the cookbook A Culinary Journey Through Texas History, available online or at any of the State Historic Sites gift shops across Texas.
For Immediate Distribution | Dec. 23,2025
Contact: Chris Florance (737) 423 5971; chris.florance@thc.texas.gov
