Authentic Texas

Civil War Era not ancient history for Brazoria’s Johnson family In 2026, the living legacy of formerly enslaved Americans remains deeply present in communities across the United States, and few examples are as meaningful as the Johnson family of the Mims Community in Brazoria, Texas. Their story reflects a powerful truth: the era of slavery is not ancient history. Its grandchildren are still with us, carrying forward the strength, resilience, and pride of the ancestors who endured it.

Less than a mile of San Antonio asphalt separates Beethoven from the Rathskeller. These two German Texas landmarks opened in the early 1900s, though the organizations behind their existence were established decades earlier. Large and historied,both bars embody gemütlichkeit, a warm almost cozy spirit of German fellowship that began arriving in the Republic of Texas in the 1830s.

In order to understand the history of Texas barbecue, you almost have to stop thinking of it as a single style of cooking and start viewing it as a map of 19th-century migration patterns. The way a brisket is seasoned in Lockhart versus the way a rib is seasoned in Beaumont tells the story of who settled there, what they farmed, and how they survived.

For the past 10 years, Authentic Texas has traveled rural roads, city streets and interstate highways in search of something simple but powerful: food that tells a story. Texas cuisine is not just a collection of dishes—it’s a reflection of who we are. It has been shaped over generations by Native American traditions, Mexican heritage, European settlers and the many cultures that have called this land home. Corn, beans and squash—the “Three Sisters”—laid the earliest foundation.

The Handbook of Texas is well known throughout the state, and beyond, as a trustworthy source for the study of Texas history from prehistory through the modern day. First published by the Texas State Historical Association as a two-volume set in 1952, it has since grown to more than 28,000 online entries as a free open education resource.

As the nation gears up for the United States Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026—marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence—Texans are already exploring the Lone Star State’s bold role in America’s unfolding story. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission invites Texans of all ages to celebrate and learn our history through your library. We’ve launched exciting statewide programs reaching all 254 counties, bringing America250 directly to you.

Travelers looking for day trip ideas near Houston now have several Texas Historical Commission-affiliated sites to consider for a journey back in time. Two were added to the THC portfolio recently, joining 40 other historic sites across Texas. First Capitol of the Republic of Texas The state legislature recently transferred the site of the First Capitol of the Republic of Texas to the THC. On September 1, 2025, it officially became the agency’s newest state historic site.

Last year, the Texas Historical Foundation invested $236,453 in communities working to protect the places and stories that define our state’s history. From historic buildings finding new life to archeological research deepening our understanding of Texas’ past, 31 projects across the state received needed support to move from intention to action.

When Governor Greg Abbott appointed Richard B. “Rick” McCaslin as the fifth Texas State Historian on December 17, 2025, the honor marked more than a title—it affirmed a lifetime spent exploring, interpreting and preserving the stories of the Lone Star State. By then, McCaslin had already built a distinguished career in Texas history.

In a quiet Texas morning, Michael and Nichole Ritchie move carefully through an old cemetery, brushing dirt from weathered headstones and clearing away decades of neglect. What began as a simple act of respect—cleaning graves and documenting names—has grown into something much larger: a mission to preserve Texas history and help others discover their own place in it. The couple represents a new generation of Texans stepping forward to protect the past.