The Texas State Preservation Board is a state agency responsible for preserving and maintaining several state-owned properties of ceremonial and historic significance.
Specifically, the Preservation Board manages the Texas Capitol building and grounds, the Governor’s Mansion, Bullock State History Museum, and State Cemetery.
The Texas State Preservation Board is responsible for providing educational programs and guided tours in these public spaces, and for performing routine upkeep and maintenance.
The Texas State Preservation Board fulfills a similar function to another state agency, the Texas Facilities Commission, except that the latter manages buildings with more generic functions, rather than than buildings of special political or symbolic significance.
The Preservation Board employs a staff of about 120, including housekeepers, plumbers, painters, carpenters, HVAC technicians, and curatorial staff to safeguard artwork and historical artifacts.
The Texas State Preservation Board is headed by a six-member governing board consisting of the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House of Representatives, one senator appointed by the lieutenant governor, one representative appointed by the speaker, and one member appointed by the governor.
Other duties of the Texas State Preservation Board include:
- Care for the Capitol furniture, art, and other decorative works
- Scheduling and managing public events and exhibits at the Capitol
- Operating the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage
- Operating the Capitol Gift Shop
- Maintaining State Cemetery archives and providing genealogical research
- Providing interment services for specified citizens of Texas.
Tours and admission to the Capitol, Capitol Visitors Center, Governor’s Mansion and State Cemetery are free to the visiting public. Staff at these locations provide interpretive programming and serve as an information resource for visitors needing assistance.
