Aransas County with the Assist

April is National County Government Month, and we’re expressing our appreciation for county officials and their staff with a blog series and other social media posts that highlight county participation in our programs. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) works with counties on countless projects, from County Historical Commissions and historic courthouse restorations to downtown revitalization and historic site development. Thanks to all 254 Texas counties for their support of historic preservation in the Lone Star State!

By Marsha Hendrix, Fulton Mansion Site Manager

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site in Rockport has many fans and supporters, but Aransas County Judge Burt Mills and Aransas County Commissioners Jack Chaney, Bubba Casterline, Charles Smith, and Betty Stiles know the best way to support their local historic site is to provide financial assistance to preserve it. The Fulton Mansion is currently undergoing a $3.4 million restoration that is requiring additional funding support from sources beyond the Texas Historical Commission. Aransas County officials have approved $125,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds during a two-year period to be used for the restoration. 

Prior to the restoration project, county officials had designated HOT funds to assist with the construction of the Fulton Mansion Education and History Center (which opened in August 2012) and with a student internship program. This program provides paid internships to high school students who are assigned special projects and trained to provide tours and programs for visitors to the site.

Aransas County thrives on tourism, and the Fulton Mansion is number one on the list of things to see in Rockport-Fulton. The mansion also serves as an important educational resource for area teachers. With support from our county government, the mansion will receive the repairs necessary to remain a regional landmark and destination.

Fulton Mansion is located in the resort area of Rockport-Fulton, 30 miles north of Corpus Christi. The site is part of the Texas Tropical Trail Region.

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