Preservation Texas
Preservation Texas is the only statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting Texas's built and cultural heritage, operating grant programs, technical assistance, advocacy, heritage trades training, and educational events from five regional offices serving individuals, local nonprofits, and government partners across Texas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersSan Marcos, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Preservation Texas does
Preservation Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered in San Marcos, Texas. It is the only statewide nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting Texas's built and cultural heritage, operating programs across all major regions of the state from offices in San Marcos, El Paso (West Texas Heritage Center), Tehuacana (Preservation Texas Institute), Kosse (Center for Heritage Education), and Tyler (Northeast Texas). The organization's core offerings include the annual Most Endangered Places list (running since 2004), the Biennial Honor Awards, federal and foundation-funded grant programs (most notably two $750,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants from the National Park Service), preservation consulting and technical assistance, heritage trades training workshops, advocacy at local, state, and federal levels, and the Historic Log Building Symposium. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and staffed by approximately seven employees led by Executive Director Evan Thompson.
The business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack spanning six revenue streams: recurring membership dues, tax-deductible individual donations, multi-tier corporate sponsorships (Diamond, Gold, etc.), federal and private foundation grants, event registration fees (regional summits, symposia, workshops), and retail sales of heritage books, antiques, and prints via the West Texas Heritage Center storefront and an Etsy shop. Technology is not proprietary; core systems consist of a NeonCRM-powered member/event/donation portal, a Squarespace website, a YouTube channel for educational content, and standard ecommerce and email platforms. Pricing for events ranges from $20 to $225 depending on program type, with member discounts of 10–20% across event fees and merchandise. The organization serves individual members and supporters, local nonprofit partners (e.g., Lampasas Heritage Foundation, San Augustine Legacy Group), municipal and county government clients (e.g., City of San Augustine, Hays County), and corporate sponsors (e.g., Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction as Diamond-level sponsor), with a 5,000+ newsletter subscriber base indicating reach across Texas.
In 2024–2025, Preservation Texas executed a material strategic expansion through the acquisition of the 10-acre former Trinity University / Westminster College campus in Tehuacana, which it is converting into the Preservation Texas Institute for statewide education, training, and a permanent Texana collection. The organization is funded in significant part by competitive federal grants and recurring foundation relationships, and has demonstrated an ability to renew large federal awards (two consecutive NPS Paul Bruhn grants) while simultaneously building out regional field offices, a multi-region program officer structure, and new programmatic verticals.
Preservation Texas firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Preservation Texas
- Legal name
- Preservation Texas
- Website
- https://preservationtexas.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Preservation Texas is the only statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting Texas's built and cultural heritage, operating grant programs, technical assistance, advocacy, heritage trades training, and educational events from five regional offices serving individuals, local nonprofits, and government partners across Texas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Preservation Texas industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Historic Preservation Services
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Historical Sites (712120), Museums (712110), Historical Sites (71212)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)
Keywords
Where Preservation Texas is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Marcos
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Preservation Texas business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to member benefits, discounts, event registration, and the Preservation Texas community.
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting preservation efforts across Texas.
- Business Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at various levels (Diamond, Gold, etc.) providing visibility and marketing benefits to supporters.
- Grant Funding: Federal grants including Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants from the National Park Service, foundation grants from organizations like The Burdine Johnson Foundation and Harry L. Willett Foundation.
- Retail Sales: Sales of merchandise, antiques, prints, and books through the West Texas Heritage Center and Etsy shop.
- Event Fees: Registration fees for workshops, symposia, summits, and educational programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Kyle Log House Party Admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | West Texas Summit Registration |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Historic Log Building Symposium Registration |
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Central Texas Summit Registration |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | West Texas Heritage Center Merchandise |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Preservation Texas product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Preservation Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that protects and advocates for Texas's built and cultural heritage through the Most Endangered Places List, competitive preservation grant programs, technical consulting services, heritage trades workshops, regional summits, and statewide advocacy. The organization operates the Preservation Texas Institute in Tehuacana, the West Texas Heritage Center in El Paso, and the Center for Heritage Education in Kosse as physical hubs for preservation training, exhibits, and field operations.
Product overview
Preservation Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of preservation programs rather than a unified technology product. Core offerings include the annual Most Endangered Places List, the Historic Rural Log Building Grant Program (subgrants of $50,000-$150,000), and Biennial Honor Awards. The organization operates three physical locations: the Preservation Texas Institute in Tehuacana for education/training, the West Texas Heritage Center in El Paso for regional programming, and the Center for Heritage Education in Kosse. Additional programs include Preservation Services (technical consulting), a Public Policy advocacy program, the Rural African-American Heritage Program, Archaeology program, Heritage Lodging membership benefits, and a monthly Lunch & Learn Webinar Series. Educational resources include a YouTube channel with workshop documentation and the 'How to Save a Place' guide. The organization also hosts Regional Preservation Summits (West Texas, Central Texas, Northeast Texas) and the Historic Log Building Symposium.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Annual Membership Annual subscription membership providing individuals and supporters access to member benefits, discounts on events and merchandise, free or reduced admission to educational programs, and inclusion in the Preservation Texas community supporting heritage conservation across Texas.
- Preservation Services Consulting and technical assistance service providing preservation planning, architectural assessments, and expert guidance for historic properties, including Preservation Plans and consulting services for Texas Historic Tax Credit projects, targeted at property owners, communities, and developers.
- Regional Preservation Summits Multi-day regional educational conferences covering preservation fundamentals, incentives, planning strategies, and regional case studies in West Texas, Central Texas, and Northeast Texas, with member and non-member ticket tiers and student rates.
- Historic Log Building Symposium Biennial symposium bringing together preservation professionals, craftspeople, and scholars to develop Texas-specific best practices for treating vernacular log buildings, featuring field seminars and hands-on workshops with tiered registration including member discounts.
- Lunch & Learn Webinar Series Monthly member webinar series covering topics on Texas architecture, preservation techniques, and historic sites, featuring expert presenters, project showcases, and educational presentations.
- Historic Walking Tours Paid educational walking tours such as the Historic Black Churches of East Corsicana Walking Tour, engaging local communities in exploration of significant historic and cultural sites.
- Northeast Texas History Cycle Paid cycling tour exploring heritage sites across the Caddo Lake region of Northeast Texas, combining physical activity with educational content on local history and preservation.
- Heritage Trades Workshops Paid hands-on heritage trades training workshops covering window repair, adobe preservation, stone construction, and timber framing at various Texas locations including state park venues.
- Heritage Lodging Program Member benefit partnership with Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide offering Preservation Texas members exclusive savings of up to 30% off at participating historic hotels across the U.S. and worldwide.
- Etsy Shop Retail Sales Online retail storefront selling original 19th-century lithographs, engravings, and antique prints from the Bassett family estate, plus books related to West Texas history, culture, and architecture; Preservation Texas members receive 20% off.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100 sites have been included on the Most Endangered Places list since 2004, with many successfully saved
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Preservation Texas
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Preservation Texas technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Preservation Texas partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- Phoenix 1 Restoration and ConstructioncorePhoenix 1 serves as a Diamond Level Business Sponsor at $25,000 annually. As Texas's premier historic preservation construction firm with over 500 projects completed, their expertise and commitment to preservation make them a key organizational partner.
- Jordan Foster ConstructionminorConstruction partner for Kress Building hard hat tour during West Texas Regional Preservation Summit, building currently undergoing rehabilitation.
- Destination El PasominorEl Paso visitor organization hosting the 2026 West Texas Regional Preservation Summit at their Visitor Information Center.
- Historic Hotels of AmericaminorMember benefit partnership offering Preservation Texas members exclusive savings of up to 30% off at participating historic hotels.
- Historic Hotels WorldwideminorInternational member benefit partnership offering Preservation Texas members exclusive savings at participating historic hotels worldwide.
- Texas Historical CommissioncoreOngoing partnership for preservation initiatives including Preservation Trust Fund grants, Real Places Conference collaboration, and Historic Tax Credit program coordination.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentmajorPartnership for hands-on heritage trades training workshops at state parks, including Bonham State Park pump house repair and ongoing MOU development for statewide training programs.
- Sherwin-WilliamsminorDonated paint for Louisiana Hall exterior repainting project at the Preservation Texas Institute, demonstrating corporate in-kind support.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Preservation Texas competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Minnesota Historical Society: Statewide nonprofit/agency operating historic sites, museums, and preservation programs across Minnesota. Comparable in operating model (statewide geographic footprint, education centers, heritage collections) though larger and broader in scope than Preservation Texas.
- National Trust for Historic Preservation: National nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation, publisher of the 11 Most Endangered Places list and operator of preservation grants/programs. Directly comparable mission and overlapping program portfolio (MEP list, Honor Awards analog) but operates nationally rather than statewide in Texas.
Direct peers
- California Preservation Foundation: California-based statewide nonprofit for historic preservation operating advocacy, education, and grant programs. Closely comparable in scope and mission to Preservation Texas, with overlapping programming in endangered places, technical assistance, and statewide summits.
- National Preservation Partners Network: Membership network of statewide, county, and local historic preservation nonprofit organizations. Direct peer network in which Preservation Texas operates, providing peer organizational context and capacity-building resources.
- Preservation League of New York: Statewide nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation in New York, operating Seven to Save endangered places program, advocacy, and grants. Closely comparable to Preservation Texas in mission, programs (endangered list analog), and statewide nonprofit structure.
- Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation: Statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization in Georgia operating an endangered places program, revolving fund, and preservation advocacy. Closely comparable in nonprofit structure, mission, and program portfolio to Preservation Texas.
- Colorado Preservation Inc. Statewide Colorado nonprofit promoting historic preservation through advocacy, endangered places programs, and educational events. Strong structural analog to Preservation Texas in regional preservation nonprofit operations.
Others
- 1772 Foundation: National grantmaking foundation focused on historic preservation real estate and reuse, an active funder of state-level preservation efforts. Comparable as a preservation funder and listed supporter of Preservation Texas.
- Texas Historical Commission: Texas state agency administering historic preservation programs including the Preservation Trust Fund, Real Places Conference, and Historic Tax Credit program. Direct collaborator with Preservation Texas and a partial peer in program delivery, though government-administered rather than nonprofit-led.
- Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction: Texas's premier historic preservation construction firm (500+ preservation projects) serving as Diamond Level sponsor. Comparable as a preservation services provider that PT partners with and could alternately or additionally engage for technical assistance.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Preservation Texas social profiles
Digital presencePreservation Texas financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Preservation Texas leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Preservation Texas funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Preservation Texas M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Preservation Texas
What does Preservation Texas do?
Preservation Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that protects and advocates for Texas's built and cultural heritage through the Most Endangered Places List, competitive preservation grant programs, technical consulting services, heritage trades workshops, regional summits, and statewide advocacy. The organization operates the Preservation Texas Institute in Tehuacana, the West Texas Heritage Center in El Paso, and the Center for Heritage Education in Kosse as physical hubs for preservation training, exhibits, and field operations.
Is Preservation Texas a public or private company?
Preservation Texas is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Preservation Texas founded?
Preservation Texas was founded in 1985. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Preservation Texas based?
Preservation Texas is headquartered in San Marcos, United States, in the North America region.
How does Preservation Texas make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions, business Sponsorships, grant Funding, retail Sales and event Fees.
Who are Preservation Texas's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Minnesota Historical Society and National Trust for Historic Preservation. Direct peers are California Preservation Foundation, National Preservation Partners Network, Preservation League of New York, Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and Colorado Preservation Inc.. Others are 1772 Foundation, Texas Historical Commission and Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction.
Does Preservation Texas have an API?
No public API is recorded for Preservation Texas.
What industry is Preservation Texas in?
Preservation Texas's product category is Historic Preservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAE, Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation, with a secondary code of THAJADAI, Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations). Its NAICS code is 7121.