Governor Greg Abbott and the 1836 Project Advisory Committee have announced the creation of the Gubernatorial Historic Promotion and Patriotism Awards. This new annual program will honor Texas educators and advocates who have made notable efforts to promote the state’s history and patriotism.
“We must always remember the men and women who bravely defended our state and country,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans who educate future generations understand the principles and values our soldiers courageously defended. These new Gubernatorial Historic Promotion and Patriotism Awards will recognize the important work done by Texans who preserve and promote the history and patriotic knowledge of our great state.”
Texas 1836 Project Advisory Committee Chair Dr. Don Frazier stated, “There is a lot of great work going on across our state, and so much of it goes unrecognized. Community members and hardworking teachers are pouring their lives into the story of our state, and these awards represent our small part in recognizing them for their efforts.”
Dr. Caroline Crimm, a member of the 1836 Project Advisory Committee, added, “The Governor’s 1836 Project Advisory Committee is particularly proud to honor our teachers and educators who are promoting patriotic education and historical awareness across Texas. Our teachers deserve to receive all the thanks and appreciation that we can bestow.”
The awards aim to highlight individuals advancing this mission through education, storytelling, or community engagement. There are two main categories: Individual Excellence honors those with long-term contributions as educators or advocates of Texas history; Project Innovation recognizes recent initiatives that creatively interpret or promote Texas’s historic resources.
Nominations for these awards are open until January 31, 2026. The selection process will be managed by a committee composed of historians, educators, and preservation experts from across Texas. Winners will receive formal recognition in Austin along with a monetary prize.
The establishment of these awards follows House Bill 2497 passed in 2021 by the Texas Legislature, which created the 1836 Project as an advisory committee focused on increasing public understanding of Texas history (https://tea.texas.gov/1836project). The initiative seeks to ensure all Texans learn about key events that shaped the state.
For nomination guidelines or more information about the program, visit https://tea.texas.gov/1836project.
