Quicklinks
Texas Counties Deliver – learn how county government serves you
County Historical Commission


The Mission of the Menard County Historical Commission

Texas has authorized counties to establish County Historical Commissions (CHC) to assist county commissioners courts and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in the preservation of our historic and cultural resources--this is the mission of the Menard County Historical Commission (MCHC).

Organization of the Menard County Historical Commission

The responsibilities of all CHCs are set forth in the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 318. Based on this statute, members of the MCHC are appointed by the Menard County Commissioners Court for specific terms.The statute is fairly broad, leaving latitude for CHCs to organize and undertake activities appropriate to their county’s size and resources. These statutory assignments make CHCs primary points of contact for individuals who need more information about particular aspects of history and historic sites in Texas.

Contact Information

Contact information for the current Chair of the Menard County Historical Commission is: 

Terrell T. Kelley  

Chairman, Menard County Historical Commission

President, Presidio de San Saba’ Restoration Corporation

PO Box 1592

Menard, Texas 76859

 

Terrell.Kelley@att.net

 

Ph: 325-396-2817 (Home)

      915-726-0888 (cell)

 

Current appointees are: Robert Brown, Cee Cee Kelley, Terrell Kelley, Barry Kniffen, John Kniffen, Katherine Kniffen, and Jan Wilkinson.

 

Current Projects

·         Completion of the Restoration of the Presidio de San Saba’ (Phase II) 

·         Continued support of the Menardville Museum and Fort McKavett State Historical Site

MCHC Meetings
 

Next meeting of the MCHC is scheduled for Thursday, February 16th at Noon, 12:00 PM, at the Menard Public Library 

Per the Texas Open Meetings Act, meetings of the Menard County Historical Commission are open to the public. All interested citizens are welcome to attend after prior coordination with the MCHC Chair.
 

Fort McKavett State Historic Site

Fort McKavett was an active Frontier Army Post from 1852-1883. It is the most complete Indian Wars Fort in Texas with 22 standing original structures and numerous ruins of what was described by General William T. Sherman as the "Prettiest post in Texas.” And it still is today.

Beautifully located in the eastern edge of Menard County at the Headwaters of the San Saba River, it is open from 8am-5pm, 7 days a week.

A State Historic Site, Fort McKavett is managed by the Texas Historical Commission.

Contact Information:
Fort McKavett State Historical Site
7066 FM 864

Fort McKavett, Texas 76841
Phone: 325-396-2358

For further information, including a listing of upcoming events, go to:

   Ft-mckavett@thc.texas.gov

   www.visitfortmckavett.com

   facebook.com/visitfortmckavett


 

Menardville Museum

 The main purpose of the Menardville Museum and Menard Historical Society is to preserve and make people aware of Menard's rich history.  It is located in the 1911 Frisco Railroad (later Santa Fe) Depot at the junction of Highways 190 and 83 North, just north of town.  At the museum site is also the historic Beyers Building, an impressive relic from the rugged frontier period in early Menard County. The Museum itself has four rooms of historic artifacts including American Indian relics and even cannon balls fired against attacking hostile Indians by Spanish Colonial Soldiers defending the nearby Presidio de San Saba’. The whole incredibly rich history of Menard County and the rugged men and women who built it, is recorded here in rare photographs, historic documents, rare books, period clothing, militaria, and an extensive collection of antique farm and ranch equipment and tools. You can even visit a real frontier saloon!

To arrange a visit of the Menardville Museum, contact the Menard Chamber of Commerce at 396-2365 or online at menardcc@verizon.net