The Texas Historical Commission’s Real Places 2026 conference will take place both virtually and in person, in Austin, April 8–10. Presented by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with Phoenix I Restoration and Construction, LLC, Real Places is the premier historic preservation and heritage tourism event in the Lone Star State, where anyone interested in protecting our past can work directly with industry-leading experts to learn practical, actionable solutions they can apply in their community.
The packed schedule features more than 50 workshops, tours, sessions, and special events; over 100 expert speakers from across Texas and the U.S.; several keynote presentations; and a number of fun networking events. Recordings will be available to all attendees, whether joining online or in person, so you’ll be able to watch the great presentations you missed due to concurrent sessions.
Save up to $210 by taking advantage of early-bird registration by December 5. Additional discounts are available for students and organizations registering multiple people at the same time, and hotel stipends and scholarships are available on a limited basis to qualified individuals—don’t delay, as hotel stipend and scholarship applications are due by January 16!
Learn more and sign up at realplaces.us
ABOUT THE TEXAS HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation. We save the real places that tell the real stories of Texas.
Our staff consults with citizens and organizations to preserve Texas history through its architectural, archeological, and cultural landmarks. The agency is recognized nationally for its preservation programs.
The commission is composed of 15 citizen members appointed by the governor to staggered six-year terms. Agency employees work in various fields, including archeology, architecture, history, economic development, heritage tourism, public administration, and urban planning.
The Texas State Legislature established the agency in 1953 as the Texas State Historical Survey Committee with the task to identify important historic sites across the state. The Texas Legislature changed the agency’s name to the Texas Historical Commission in 1973. Along with the name change came more protective powers, an expanded leadership role, and broader educational responsibilities.
