May is Historic Preservation Month! This national event encourages communities like ours to come together and celebrate the places that tell the stories of where we’ve been and who we are.
Created in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month brings our history to life and shows how preserving it benefits us all—boosting community pride, enhancing tourism, and helping our local economy.
Here in Wichita Falls, the City Landmark Commission, Kell House Heritage Center, Museum of North Texas History, and the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture are kicking things off with special proclamations from Mayor Tim Short on May 2nd and County Judge Jim Johnson on May 14th, to highlight the importance of preserving our local treasures.
If you’re wondering how to get involved, here are a few ways to celebrate Historic Preservation Month:
- Take a tour: There’s no better way to connect with the past than by walking through historic sites or museums.
- Join an event: Check out what local organizations have planned.
- Explore preservation programs: The Texas Historical Commission is a great resource!
- Travel the nearby Heritage Trails: Explore the nearby Forts Trail or the Quanah Parker Trail.
- Take a Historic Marker Road Trip: You can find landmarks across North Texas with our Cultural Map!
Celebrating Historic Preservation Month is more than just looking back—it’s about understanding our past to enrich our future.