Austin, TX - The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized Olive Talley as the 2025 recipient of the Texas Historical Commission Award of Excellence in Media Achievement.
The award acknowledges outstanding reporting on preservation or heritage tourism issues to increase awareness of the state’s historic and prehistoric resources. It is one of 10 annual THC Preservation Awards recognizing individuals and organizations involved in various aspects of historic preservation.
Olive Talley is the producer of The Stones Are Speaking, a 2025 documentary dedicated to archeologist Mike Collins and his efforts to preserve 30 acres of a prehistoric site near Florence, Texas, that had been targeted by archeological looters. The film presents evidence of human habitation in Central Texas dating back at least 20,000 years. By drawing attention to both the site and the circumstances leading to its preservation, the film reflects the THC’s mission to protect cultural sites and preserve archeological materials.
The Stones Are Speaking has been screened at film festivals across the United States, where it has received multiple awards. The documentary was also presented at the 2025 Texas Archeology Fair at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. Its release generated nationwide coverage and awareness of the Gault Site and related research.
About Preservation Awards
The THC Preservation Awards recognize and honor those who have committed themselves to saving the real places and real stories of Texas. The awards celebrate their accomplishments and exemplary leadership in the preservation of Texas’ heritage.
The awards will be presented at the THC’s Real Places 2026 conference, April 8-10, in Austin and online. Presented by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction, LLC, Real Places is the premier historic preservation and heritage tourism event in the Lone Star State. It offers world-class sessions, workshops, tours, special events, entertainment, and networking activities, while bringing together many different audiences under the banners of history, heritage, and preservation.
About the Texas Historical Commission
The THC manages 42 state historic sites, the Texas Heritage Trails Program, Texas Main Street Program, and many more heritage tourism and historic preservation initiatives across the state. For more information, visit thc.texas.gov.