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.
Subscribe to Museum Services Newsletter Updates
Webinar Series
New webinars are coming soon!
In-Person Workshop Opportunity
The Texas Plains Trail Region, Texas Association of Museums, and Texas Historical Commission are excited to present the in-person workshop:
Leading with Purpose: Governance and Sustainability
Workshop Topics Include:
- Nonprofit Governance & Museum Standards – Understanding legal responsibilities, best practices, and Texas-specific laws and resources
- Board Roles & Responsibilities – Defining expectations, duties, and terms to create a well-functioning board
- Mission, Vision & Values – Strengthening the museum’s purpose and aligning leadership decisions with organizational goals
- Leadership in Action – Advocacy, partnerships, volunteer and staff engagement, and long-term planning for sustainability
Workshop activities will build toward the optional, in-person site visit and support from the Texas Plains Trail Region’s Executive Director and board members. Additionally, the program will help build a community of practice by establishing a regional museum group, fostering collaboration and shared learning among museum leaders.
The workshop is a collaboration between the Texas Plains Trail Region, Texas Association of Museums, and Texas Historical Commission. This program is supported by the SummerLee Foundation. Founded in 1988, The Summerlee Foundation is a mission-driven, proactive organization dedicated to the support of animal protection and the preservation of Texas history.
This program is also supported by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this workshop do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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