After years of planning, renovation, and the careful relocation of an extensive and irreplaceable collection, the Austin History Center has officially reopened in its new home at the historic John Henry Faulk Building.
The reopening marks a significant step forward for public history in Austin. The former central library building has been transformed into a 100,000 square foot facility dedicated to preservation, research, exhibitions, and public engagement, operating in coordination with the original Austin History Center building next door. Together, the two buildings now function as a single campus for Austin’s historical record.
This expanded campus allows archival care and public access to exist side by side. Adam Powell, Executive Director of the Austin History Center Association, noted that “this space allows the History Center to protect Austin’s archives while also sharing them openly, so visitors can understand how history is preserved and why that work matters for the future.”
The reopening celebration brought together historians, community members, civic leaders, and longtime supporters of Austin history. Reflections during the event highlighted the legacy of John Henry Faulk, the civic value of primary source materials, and the responsibility of preserving historical context in an era of rapid change.
Charles Peveto, Board President of the Austin History Center Association, emphasized the long view of the work carried out inside the History Center, saying that “every document, photograph, and recording preserved here represents a piece of Austin’s story that would otherwise be lost, and preserving those records is a responsibility to generations who will come after us.”
Today, visitors entering the Faulk Building encounter exhibits that explore the archival process itself, offering insight into how materials are collected, preserved, and made accessible. These spaces invite the public to experience history not only as narrative, but through the original records that document it.
This reopening reflects decades of civic involvement in preserving Austin’s historic core. The Austin History Center Association was founded by community members who helped save the original 1933 Austin Public Library building from demolition and organized to advocate for the long term future of the History Center as a citizens group. Since that time, the Association has maintained offices on the campus and has served as a consistent advocate and fundraising partner in support of the Center’s mission.
The original 1933 Austin Public Library building, the John Henry Faulk Building, and Wooldridge Square together form a civic and cultural corridor stewarded by the City of Austin, whose leadership and investment made the current renovation and reopening possible.
With the History Center now reopened, this campus provides a durable foundation for future generations to engage with Austin’s history through the records that document it.
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