Dickens on The Strand, Galveston Historical Foundation’s annual Victorian holiday festival, was recognized by Texas Downtown with the Best Promotion President’s Award, celebrating its longstanding contributions to historic preservation, downtown revitalization, heritage tourism, and economic development. GHF’s Director of Programs and Events, Claire Chastain, received the award at Texas Downtown’s annual conference, held in Amarillo, Texas, on November 4, 2026.
Texas Downtown (TXD) was founded in 1985 to connect and serve downtown professionals and champions. TXD empowers downtown leaders with the resources, advocacy, education, and connections they need to drive transformation and revitalization. The organization supports the development of vibrant, thriving districts that celebrate local character, strengthen communities, and foster a strong sense of place.
The Best Texas Downtown award, established in 2025, celebrates communities creating vibrant, welcoming downtowns through economic development, historic preservation, partnerships, arts and culture, and connections across generations. Presented through Texas Downtown’s President’s Awards program, once a year, this special designation honors one community under 50,000 population and one over 50,000, demonstrating how collaboration, commitment to local character, ingenuity, art, entertainment, public/private partnerships, and more come together to revitalize a community and inspire lasting downtown transformation.
Events like Dickens on The Strand are made possible through the tremendous efforts of our entire staff, volunteers, and supporters. Claire’s leadership plays a pivotal role in bringing those collective efforts together. This award is also reflective of her ability to lead, collaborate, and build on the success of our programming. We’re incredibly proud of her and to see our events receive this recognition. – Will Wright, Galveston Historical Foundation’s Interim Executive Director.
Established in 1974 by GHF, Dickens on The Strand is one of Galveston’s signature holiday traditions. The annual festival transforms the island’s historic Strand National Historic Landmark District into a Victorian-era celebration featuring costumed characters, parades, entertainment, shopping, and holiday festivities. Welcoming more than 40,000 visitors annually, the event celebrates Galveston’s architectural heritage while supporting historic preservation, downtown businesses, and the local economy.
ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last seventy years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, museum development, and heritage tourism. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life, and continues to lead on local, state, and national levels with research-driven programs that build awareness of preservation’s role in cultural identity and stewardship across generations.
