AUSTIN, Texas — Edward Lengel, a noted military and presidential historian, author, and museum executive, joins the Texas Historical Commission as its sixth executive director.
Lengel will lead the Lone Star State's official state agency for Texas historical preservation, providing guidance and oversight to the agency's 38 historic sites, providing regulatory guidance for state and federal historic and archeological designations, state and tax historic tax credits, and other economic development programs showcasing historic preservation benefits to quality of life, tourism and downtown revitalization.
"I'm excited to join the THC and engage with the millions of Texans who love this state's unique history and recognize how it has contributed to the Lone Star State's rise as an dynamo of economic and cultural success,” said Lengel. "I look forward to building on the many accomplishments of my predecessor and leading this amazing team of preservationists, historians, archeologists and other professionals as we fulfill the THC’s mission to Texas."
Lengel comes to the THC from the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas where he served as vice president for museum experience and from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans where he was senior director of programs. Additionally, he was a full professor at the University of Virginia and served as Chief Historian for the White House Historical Association. Lengel is a co-recipient of the National Humanities Medal for his work on the George Washington Papers project and the author of General George Washington: A Military Life; Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Great War’s Lost Battalion and other works. His books have been honored with the Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Book Award, the Norman B. Tomlinson, Jr. prize, and other awards.
Lengel replaces Mark Wolfe, who had led the agency since 2008 through a period of unprecedented growth and expansion of service. Wolfe announced his retirement plans in January 2023 after 15 years with the Texas Historical Commission, leaving his position Dec. 29, 2023.