Rockwall County Historical Foundation

Preserving the Past For the Future

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The Rockwall County Historical Foundation was organized January 16, 1978, with 21 people attending the first meeting at the Chamber of Commerce building.  The desire to preserve the heritage of Rockwall County was the main focus of these people as they adopted bylaws and elected officers and directors.

Charter Members numbered sixty-two.  These first members heard guest speakers who explained how to organize and suggested projects, which the foundation might do in order to preserve the history of the county.    Today's members continue to make it their primary goal to pursue projects that will help preserve the area's rich historical and cultural heritage. 

Some of the ongoing projects of the Foundation consist of:

• Maintaining the permanent museum home and keeping it open at designated times;

• Taping oral histories from elderly people who know about or lived in the early days of Rockwall County and include "Southside" histories from the African American community;

• Preservation and designation of historic districts, sites, structures and objects significant in Rockwall County and Texas history, architecture, archaeology and culture through photos and written documentation and the Rockwall County Historical Marker Award Program;

• Promoting the use of historical districts and landmarks for the educational pleasure and welfare of the people in the area;

• Serving as a clearing house for the organizations, agencies, institutions and museums that have an interest in the preservation of the historical heritage of Rockwall County;

• Maintaining the History of Cemeteries in Rockwall County.;

• Providing safekeeping, preservation and display of important Texas and Rockwall County historical papers, documents and artifacts;

• Sponsoring events such as the 4th of July Pre-fireworks Celebration and the Cotton Pickin' Party.

• Publication and distribution of educational materials to assist in the preservation of Texas and Rockwall County history through the following:  Printing of RCHF brochures for distribution at the Chamber of Commerce and the Museum; sale of Rockwall County History Book, History of Rockwall County 1842 - 1968 by O. L. Steger, Sr., printing of Dr. Glenn's book The Photographic Essays of the Rock Wall; Rockwall County Sesquicentennial booklet; historic calendars.

• Memorial Fund for deceased Foundation Members.

As part of the acquisition program the RCHF has an extensive on-going photo archiving project.  Through this program, historic photos from Rockwall County are digitally preserved and then made available for use to the citizens of Rockwall County.  Many area businesses are now displaying historic photos made available through this program.  In addition, these photos have become the centerpiece of an expanded education program where slide shows covering various aspects of Rockwall history are taken into area classrooms and presented to local organizations.   An example of these photos are shown on the top left of this page, click here for details of this program.

  It operates solely from membership dues, private contributions, grants and various fund-raising activities.

The Board of Directors, which is elected at the November meeting, operates the Foundation.

The Annual meeting will be held in January each year,.

General membership meetings shall be held monthly September through May at a time and location determined by the Board of Directors.