The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has appointed Joseph Bell as its new executive director. Bell, who has served as the deputy executive director of the agency's historic sites division since 2015, will now lead the organization and its 350 employees.
Bell is tasked with overseeing the preservation of Texas historical sites, providing regulatory guidance for state and federal designations, managing historic tax credits, and promoting economic development programs that highlight the benefits of historic preservation. John Nau III, chairman of the board of commissioners, stated, “Joseph Bell is a proven leader who accomplished much overseeing the historic sites. He is an ideal choice to lead the agency forward and expand its mission of saving the real places that tell the real stories of Texas.”
Under Bell's leadership, THC has expanded its network of state historic sites and improved interpretation, programming, and visitor amenities. Notable achievements include opening a visitor center at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site and restoring Fulton Mansion State Historic Site after Hurricane Harvey. In 2023, Bush Family Home in Midland and Presidio La Bahía in Goliad were added as state historic sites.
Other projects completed by THC’s Historic Sites Division include reopening French Legation State Historic Site in Austin and renovating Mission Dolores State Historic Site's visitor center in San Angelo. The Caddo Mounds State Historic Site visitor center in Alto will reopen on May 18 following damage from a tornado in 2019. A $51 million restoration project at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is expected to finish in 2025, with renovations planned for San Jacinto Battlefield State Historic Site.
Before joining THC, Bell held leadership roles with History Colorado and worked with the National Park Service and City of Denver on preservation projects. Bell expressed gratitude for his new role: “I am humbled that the commissioners have confidence in my ability to take the THC to new heights and lead this incredible staff who do so much to help communities across the state preserve their iconic and inspiring histories.”
Bell takes over from Ed Lengel as THC's seventh executive director.
