Friends of Fort Griffin earn THC honor

Friends of Fort Griffin, a local non-profit whose primary purpose is to help preserve and restore the original buildings at Fort Griffin State Historical Site, was recently selected as the recipient of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission 2019 Friends Alliance Award for Stewardship. 

“It was a big surprise to me, and a great honor,” said member Steve Waller. “It is very gratifying to be recognized by the Historical Commission for all that we do.”

Fort Griffin’s site manager Mitch Baird nominated the group for the award, and said that he was very pleased that they won.

“I’m glad that they got the recognition, especially with all the work they have done out here,” said Baird. “For 18 years, the group has held annual galas and raised significant financial resources to support various site needs, not only for programs such as the annual living history event and specialized interpretive training for site staff, but more significantly, for funds to support much-needed infrastructure items. Pretty much anything out here that has a roof, has it because of the efforts of the ‘Friends’ group!”

According to Baird, infrastructure repairs are typically very costly and state budgets do not always extend far enough to cover all the needed repairs. Because of the shortfall, support added by groups such as the Friends of Fort Griffin is very important in maintaining historical sites.

“Susan (Waller) has really worked hard and she deserves some recognition,” said Friends member Clifford Teinert. “And a lot of other people have also contributed in many ways.”

Susan Waller is one of the main organizers of the Friends of Fort Griffin Gala, the group’s annual fundraiser that takes place each October. Money contributed at the event has been used to underwrite the costs of various projects at the fort.

Over the years, the Friends have funded research on the Powder Magazine, restoration of the Powder Magazine, work on the barracks chimneys, restoration of the Bakery, replacing roofs on the Mess Hall, the barracks, and the Jackson House, providing food for reenactors at the fort, and research on the Sutler Store.

“We’ve already spent over $100,000 on upgrades at the park,” said Susan Waller. “We want to continue to make the already great fort even better.”

Baird said that of all the work done so far, he is most grateful for the repairs to the bakery floor.

“The stones were uneven and a hazard for our visitors” said the site manager. “The Friends supplied the funds needed to remove the rock floor, level the area, and replace the stones. Now we use the area inside for displays and food programs since we no longer fear that someone will take a nasty fall on an uneven floor.”  

Baird added that he is hoping that winning the award will enable the Friends to speed up their planned reconstruction on the old Sutler store.

The Friends’ current project is a huge one that they hope will ultimately result in the restoration of the Sutler store at Fort Griffin, rebuilding the associated outbuildings, and restocking the store with period correct merchandise.

The entire project, as are all such endeavors at Texas Historical Sites, is overseen by the THC, and must be approved by the commission at each step along the way.

The Friends have filed for needed permits, underwritten the required archive research to start the project, and have funded the next step, an archeological study of the site.

Additional funds will be needed to undertake actual construction once approved by the THC, and Baird is hopeful that winning the award will help draw attention to the fundraising efforts of the local group.

“We would like to thank Mitch for nominating us,” said Susan Waller. “We are so excited to win! Several of us will go to Austin to accept the award.”

Awards will be given Jan. 16 at the opening reception of the THC’s Real Places Conference.