Message from the Executive Director

Dwayne Jones, GHF Executive Director, stands before the 1861 Custom House.

Welcome to Galveston Historical Foundation! We are one of the largest not-for-profit historic preservation organizations working at the local level in the country. That is a significant statement for Galveston Island, with a population of only 60,000. We are proud of our accomplishments and work hard to make the island an exciting tourist destination and a quality home to residents.

A visit to the island will introduce you to one of the largest collections of historic buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries in the nation; but, that's not all. Our mission embraces the preservation and revitalization of historic buildings as well as encompassing maritime resources. The Texas Seaport Museum and its associated vessels: The restored 1877 barque Elissa, the purpose-built harbor tour boat Seagull II, and the Santa Maria, a Galveston Harbor shrimp boat with 65 continuous years at work, are resources with an international reputation that provide a glimpse into Galveston's past as a major seaport for cotton, grain and immigrants, and its present evolution into a center of the oil exploration industry. Thousands of immigrants, sailors, and visitors landed on the Island in the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving a colorful impression on our local history. You can experience some of this at GHF's Galveston County Historical Museum, and at our historic properties such as the Samuel May Williams House, Michel B. Menard House and Ashton Villa.

From the waterfront to The Strand to the residential streets of Galveston's traditional neighborhoods, GHF is an active force in making positive change. We are preserving buildings, providing assistance to homeowners, and offering educational opportunities for children and adults on everything from rigging and steering a sailing ship to refinishing 19th century floors. Our special events continue to attract thousands of visitors each year including the annual historic homes tour in May and Dickens on The Strand in December.

We hope you can come join us and experience first hand our historic buildings, or step aboard Elissa, ready for sea. Galveston Island is the pride of Texas and an asset for our nation. You don't want to miss what the Galveston Historical Foundation has to offer.

Dwayne Jones