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:
Chairman, Menard County Historical Commission
President, Presidio de San Saba’ Restoration Corporation
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 .