6 Organizations Working To Preserve And Commemorate History In Texas

6 Texas Organizations Commemorating History

The Commemorative Air Force's National Aviation Education Center

Texas Statistical Snapshot

• Estimated population in 2018: 28,701,845
• Rank by population: 2
• Number of veterans: 1,482,871
• Percentage of population born outside the U.S.: 16.9%
• Owner-occupied housing rate: 62.0%
• Median gross rent: $952
• Persons over 25 with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28.7%
• Persons under 65 without health insurance: 20.0%
• Poverty rate: 14.9%
• GDP: $1.7 trillion
• Unemployment rate: 4.4%
• Land area: 268,597 square miles
• Rank by area: 2
• Cities with more than 1 million people: 3
• Firearm deaths in 2017: 3,513
• Leading cause of death: Heart disease
• Number of farms and ranches: 248,416
• Average age of farmers and ranchers: 59
• Rank among states for greenhouse gas emissions: 1

A WWII-era Boxcar's Journey to the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

In Depth

Texas is a state with a vibrant and celebrated past. Given this, it is important that this past is preserved for future generations. There are a number of groups working to achieve this through museums, education, and conservation efforts. In no particular order, here are six organizations working to preserve and commemorate history in Texas.

First on the list, at #1, is the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, Texas. Founded in 2001, it is devoted to preserving the legacy of African-American soldiers, from the Revolutionary War to the present. The name of this museum refers to a term for African American soldiers dating back to the earliest segregated units in the post-Civil War era. Its website maintains a database of these early soldiers, ensuring they are not forgotten to future generations.

This organization presents informative programs such as its reenactor program, featuring the captivating stories of Harriet Tubman, and authentic Buffalo Soldiers. It is open to visitors year-round, offering free admission on Thursday afternoons. Visitors can take in a number of interactive, multi-media exhibitions on topics about the history, tradition and outstanding contributions of these soldiers. To support the museum, you can volunteer or become a member.

To support the museum, you can volunteer or become a member.

Coming in at #2 is The San Antonio Conservation Society. Founded in 1924, this community preservation group is responsible for saving many beloved attractions in San Antonio, Texas, such as the Steves Homestead House Museum and the Yturri-Edmunds Historic Site. Thousands of local schoolchildren tour these preserved sites for free each year, gaining an appreciation for local history and culture in the process.

This organization is a leading advocate for preserving San Antonio's architectural and cultural heritage. The group annually hosts a fundraiser which is the largest celebration for preservation in the United States. It also provides building grants to help preserve historic properties through the region, as well as grants for research and educational projects. Those who would like to support The San Antonio Conservation Society can donate online or volunteer.

#3 on the list is the Commemorative Air Force, a non-profit that works to restore and preserve combat aircraft. Today, the C.A.F. has a fleet of more than 175 aircraft representing more than 60 different types, including planes from several foreign countries. The headquarters of the organization is located in Dallas, but members live all across the United States, and internationally.

Today, the C.A.F. has a fleet of more than 175 aircraft representing more than 60 different types, including planes from several foreign countries.

In addition to its collection, the organization hosts events throughout the year such as air shows, pilot trainings, and a speaker series. The group also hosts a number of educational programs throughout the country, and in 2018, it launched summer camp programming in which students attended five-day camps themed around aviation technologies. To support the Commemorative Air Force, you can join the organization at various membership levels, some of which offer the opportunity to take a flight in one of the many vintage aircrafts available.

In the #4 spot is the National Museum of Funeral History, home to America's largest collection of authentic, old-fashioned funeral service items. Since 1992, it has offered the opportunity to witness the cultural heritage of the funeral service industry and its time-honored tradition of compassion. The museum is intended to be a historical, cultural and educational experience that presents death as a natural part of life and nothing to be feared, featuring family-friendly topics that appeal to a wide variety of interests and age ranges.

Permanent exhibitions include a broad spectrum of funeral-related topics ranging from the ancient embalming rituals of Egypt, to hearses throughout time. Its hallmark exhibit is Celebrating the Lives & Deaths of the Popes, which was made in collaboration with the Vatican. Its website hosts tips and resources for customs around death, such as writing a eulogy or an obituary. You can support the National Museum of Funeral History by donating in a variety of ways or becoming a volunteer.

You can support the National Museum of Funeral History by donating in a variety of ways or becoming a volunteer.

#5 on the list is Historic Fort Worth, which was established in 1969, and is dedicated to preserving Fort Worth's unique identity through stewardship, education, and leadership. The organization stewards two house museums for the public's enrichment in the Quality Hill neighborhood. The McFarland House, is home to the group's administrative offices, as well as a museum and a resource library. Thistle Hill, the organization's main tourism property, is a restored mansion and carriage house located on an expanse of green space open to the public.

HFW puts on many events throughout the year, such as hosting food trucks at Thistle Hill, tours of various saved buildings, and showcasing historic gardens of Fort Worth. It works behind the scenes and at public meetings to advocate for the preservation of historic buildings. Those who would like to support this organization can do so through memberships and various fundraising events held throughout the year.

Last on the list, at #6, is the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. It is dedicated to teaching the history of the Holocaust and advancing human rights to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference. Visitors learn about the history of the Jewish people and the events that led to the murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust, as well as how the world progressed in the years following the Holocaust. Field trips allow students to think critically about the history of the Holocaust and human rights in the United States, as well as to consider the most fundamental questions about human nature.

Field trips allow students to think critically about the history of the Holocaust and human rights in the United States, as well as to consider the most fundamental questions about human nature.

The museum also offers a number of tools and services for researchers including a library and archives that offer access to rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts while preserving them for future generations. Many events and programs are offered throughout the year, including a civil discourse series, a book club, a lunch and learn series, and a survivor speaker series. Supporters can also volunteer in a number of different roles, or support the museum financially as a member or at one of the fundraisers held throughout the year.