Heritage, Volume 11, Number 1, Winter 1993 Page: 4

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
By John B. Meadows
"Within the last 12 months, the (Texas Historical Foundation)
Board adopted new guidelines for grant applicants that will enable
us to...insure that Foundation funds are stetched to the
maximum extent. Utilizing our new guidelines we have provided
funding for an array of projects that span the state."

During a recent visit to the Admiral
Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, I read
above a doorway the following: "We
inspire our youth by honoring our heroes."
It is equally true that through
preservation and promotion of historical
sites and projects we can accomplish _
similar goals.
The Texas Historical Foundation has
this past year made significant strides in
approving grants to a varied number of
statewide projects. Within the last 12
months the Board adopted new guidelines
for grant applicants that will enable
us to efficiently and more effec -
tively than ever before insure that
Foundation funds are stretched to the
maximum extent.
Utilizing our new guidelines we have
provided funding for an array of projects
that span the state. The Friends of the Pound House in Dripping
Springs received approval for funding the initial stabilization of
the Dr. Joseph M. Pound 1853 log structure, which when fully
restored, will serve as a community museum.
In rural Albany, the Aztec Theater received additional assistance
that enabled the completion of the first phase of restoration,
which included stage construction and renovation of the
exterior.
In an effort to help preserve the ethnic history of East Texas, the
Historical Foundation provided funding for the restoration of the
steeple of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Colmesniel.
It was in the early 1880s that a freedman's colony was begun in that
small Texas community and the church established.
The Chireno Historical Society's request for funding for its
restoration of the Halfway Inn was approved. The Inn was originally
constructed between 1836 and 1841 and was situated on El
Camino Real. Funding was also approved to assist in the development
of a master plan for the restoration of the archaeological site
of Mission Dolores de los Ais, an 18th century mission complex
established by the Spanish government in an attempt to Christianize
the Indians of East Texas.

West Texas was not overlooked by the
Board in the grant review process. The
Overland Trail Museum maintained by the
Fort Davis Historical Society, and a most
interesting place to visit, received funding
for repairs to the structure. The building, a
stone's throw from historic Fort Davis, served
in the late 1800s as a store supplying the fort.
The museum houses a vast collection of
memorabilia from early Davis Mountains
settlers.
Crosby County Pioneer Memorial Museum
received a grant to be used to identify
and classify a 2,300-plus piece collection of
Native American archaeological artifacts. The
museum has a quite extensive collection of
artifacts and is well worth a visit if you are in
the Lubbock area.
Also receiving funding was the Winedale
Museum Seminar Alliance, which provides
the best training opportunities in the country for museum
and historical site personnel. We were also very honored to be
able to assist the state archaeologist and the Texas Historical
Commission with the printing of the Ydoiaga Report to the
Viceroy of New Spain, a recent translation by Enrique Rede
Madrid of three separate Spanish expeditions that occurred in
1747.
As you can see, the Texas Historical Foundation Board of
Directors is attempting to support a diverse scope and location of
projects that are worthy of the organization's assistance. We also
attempt to maximize our dollars by often requiring the local
sponsoring organization to match our funds thus insuring continued
local support.
Our past and continued progress in the vital area of providing
funding for worthy projects is only possible through the generous
support of our members and friends. Please do what you can to
help the Foundation. We not only need your vital financial
support, but we also need your suggestions for future grant
proposals.
The THF Board of Directors wishes you a prosperous new year
and extends a sincere thanks for your generous support.

4 HERITAGE * WINTER 1993