A Vision for the 21st Century:Gateway to Where
Texas History HappenedThe Daughters of The Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas History Complex
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st Century
Nancy M. ShurtleffChair
Cynthia L.AndersonJohn Ellen Becker
Betty S. BirdPatricia E. Horridge
Gayla H. Lawson
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st
Century
Seeks to:
Provide the highest quality
experiences for children and
visitors of all ages seeking to
learn about the fascinating
history of Texas.
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st
Century
Will help us:
Provide more meeting
spaces for educational
conferences, nonprofit
gatherings, social events and
other public service activities.
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st Century
Consolidate museum operations at
one Austin location for more efficient
DRT business operations.
Relocate to a beloved Austin
historic site for a more rewarding
visitor experience.
Enhance income opportunities that
will help expand the educational
activities of the DRT for the benefit of
future generations.
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st
Century
One of the treasures of the
DRT is the Republic of Texas
Museum.
Founded in 1903, it was once
housed at the State Capitol. In
1916 it was moved to the Old
Land Office. In the early 1990s,
it was transferred to its current
location.
Republic of Texas History ComplexA Vision for the 21st
Century
The Republic of Texas
Museum is an invaluable tool
for teaching young people and
visitors of all ages about the
unique history of the Republic
of Texas.
The Museum deserves a
more appropriate historical
setting and improved access to
better fulfill the mission of the
DRT.
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st Century
Provide a state-of-the-art research facility for those seeking
information about the history of Texas,
and that of their own families.
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st Century
Increase DRT’s role in the economic development of Austin.
Enhanced programming will attract greater numbers of visitors.
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st Century
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st Century
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st Century
A Vision for the 21st Century
The Vision is the roadmap to
achieving our goals, composed
after many months of research.
The Vision guides our work in
Austin over the next five years.
The plan will be reviewed and
fine-tuned annually to ensure its
timeliness.
Republic of Texas History Complex
The Daughters of The Republic of Texas
Organized in 1891, chartered in 1895.
One of the oldest patriotic women’s associations in Texas and the nation.
7,000 members, 106 chapters, governed by a Board of Management.
DRT Mission
Perpetuate the memory and spirit
of those who achieved and
maintained the independence of
Texas.
Provide educational programs of
the highest caliber in coordination
with area school districts and the
Texas Education Agency, as well as
programs for the public.
The Daughters of The Republic of Texas
DRT Mission
Encourage research into early Texas records,
preserve historic documents, and encourage the
publication of historic records.
Secure and memorialize historic sites.
DRT’s mission guides
A Vision for the 21st Century
The Daughters of The Republic of Texas
What We Do …
Maintain the DRT headquarters office
and Republic of Texas Museum in Austin.
Maintain the Cradle, site of the DRT’s
founding in Galveston, and other historic
properties overseen by chapters.
Maintain and oversee the Alamo and
DRT Library in San Antonio.
Maintain the historic French Legation
Museum in Austin (since 1949).
Republic of Texas History ComplexOur Challenge
DRT headquarters (510 E.
Anderson Lane, North Austin), is found
under an unattractive overpass at the
juncture of Interstate Highway 35 and
U.S. Highway 183.
The building was not designed as a
museum and is hard for visitors and
school buses to find. Parking is
inadequate.
We must relocate to a more
appropriate, accessible, historic
setting.
Republic of Texas History Complex
Republic of Texas History Center
Republic of Texas Museum (relocated)
Texas Family Research Center (new)
Meeting and Conference Accommodations (new)
Viewing Theatre for educational film and video presentations (new)
Gift Shop (relocated)
DRT Business Office (relocated)
Additional Parking (new)
Republic of Texas History Complex
French Legation Museum and Grounds
French Legation Museum
Children’s Interactive Museum (expanded)
DRT Gift Shop to Merge with French Legation Gift Shop
Republic of Texas History Complex
New Facility
Design respects the historic nature of the East Austin neighborhood.
Three floors, including16,000 square feet.
Adjacent to the French Legation - 810 ½ San Marcos Street.
Rendering by Tom Hatch, Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects, Austin.
Republic of Texas History Complex
A Vision for the 21st Century Budget
$9.5 million
~ $8.5 million remains to be secured ~
Phase I Media campaign $ 100,000
Phase II Republic of Texas History Center (includes
property acquisition, architectural fees,
construction, furnishings) $7,400,000
Phase III Property acquisition (“buffer tract”) $1,000,000
Phase IV Preservation and Education Endowment $1,000,000
Phase V Secure French Legation property from
State of Texas $ Donation
A Vision for the 21st Century
Fundraising time-line: 5 years
Donors of $10,000 and larger to be permanently recognized in
the new Center.
Individual recognition opportunities are being developed for
contributors of $15,000 and larger.
Republic of Texas History Complex
Thank you!
Republic of Texas History Complex
For More Information
Nancy M. Shurtleff
Chair, Vision Team
The Daughters of The Republic of
Texas
510 E. Anderson Lane
Austin, Texas 78752
512-339-1997
Republic of Texas History ComplexProduction Credits
We are grateful for the use of photographs provided by:
Alliance Francaise d’Austin
John Ellen Becker
The Daughters of The Republic of Texas
DeGolyer Library, SMU
Microsoft Office
Gayla Lawson
Family of Campbell Longley
Paul Ridenour
SXSW
Trip Advisor
Martha Anne Turner, Clara Driscoll : An American
Tradition (Austin: Madrona Press, 1979)
~
PowerPoint by Carolyn M. Appleton, CFRE
A Vision for the 21st Century
The Daughters of The Republic of Texas
March, 2010