Texas is home to over 1,000 local history museums. Whether housed in a historic structure or a state-of-the-art new building, each one is dedicated to telling the story of a community’s unique history. Collectively, they preserve the real places and the real things that tell the whole story of Texas.
The Museum Services Program enables small history museums to better carry out their missions by helping them to increase their capacity for meeting professional standards. We do this by providing the following services at no cost:
- Training
- Resources
- Consultations
- Communications
To be included in the THC Atlas, a history museum must exhibit and interpret objects and stories in a structure designed for public visitation, on a regular schedule at least 120 days per year.
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Professional Development Webinar Series
Webinar: Cemetery Tours of Texas Showcase
Wednesday, August 26, from 1-2 p.m. Central
Cemetery tours help people today understand the life and legacy of those that came before us. Many organizations provide tours year round- but of course the lead-up to Halloween in the fall often creates renewed interest in this type of programming.
Whether your site contains a cemetery among other historic buildings or your work solely focuses on cemeteries, the August Museum Services webinar will allow you to learn from other professionals in the field on crafting tours and engaging the public. We will have representatives from five Texas Historical Commission sites from across the state describe their cemetery programming and provide recommendations for others that do this type of programming. You will hear about experiences from staff at THC's State Historic Sites, including:
- Elana Barton, Sam Bell Maxey House (Paris, TX)
- Chandler Warhmund, Fanthorp Inn (Anderson, TX)
- Madeleine VanLeunen, Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight Ranch (Clarendon, TX)
- Margo McCutcheon, Sam Rayburn House (Bonham, TX)
- Cortney Smith, Fulton Mansion (Rockport, TX)
Discussion Group: Cemetery Tours of Texas Showcase
Thursday, August 27, from 1-2 p.m. Central
Join us the day after the webinar for a discussion group where you can ask follow-up questions directly to the presenters or simply talk shop with the other participants in attendance. Before attending the discussion please watch the webinar. Separate registration required.
Register for the free discussion group
Resources
The Helpful Resources section below provides a number of downloadable resource lists, articles, and other useful information for museums. All previous Museum Services Webinars are archived and available to view at any time. The Connect and Learn section below provides links to trainings hosted by other organizations and services, as well as listings of museum professional organizations. Grants and Fundraising offers resources for grant-writing, fundraising ideas, and an extensive list of grant opportunities relevant to museums in Texas. Review our information on Museum Consultants Working in Texas.
Consultations
Program staff can provide free, individualized assistance and support to museums in any aspect of museum operations, including but not limited to:
- Starting, planning, or reorganizing a museum
- Mission statements, strategic planning, and professional ethics
- Disaster preparedness and recovery
- Collections interpretation and educational programs
- Exhibit planning and design
- Board development and relations
- Volunteer recruitment and training
- Fundraising and special events
- Marketing and social media
- Collections care and security
Communications
Program staff sends email notices on timely information about current trends, available resources, upcoming grant deadlines, training opportunities, and other types of assistance.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Museum Services Program, please contact the program administrator using the information listed here.
-
Phone:
+1 512-463-6427 -
Email:
museums@thc.texas.gov -
Address:
P.O. Box 12276
Austin, TX 78711
United States