Celebrating Texas dance halls since 2007.

Texas Dance Hall Preservation, Inc., (TDHP) was founded in 2007 by a group of Texans who were passionate about preserving the historic dance halls of Texas. TDHP is incorporated in the State of Texas and recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service.

Gregory Smith, the Texas Historical Commission’s state coordinator for the National Register of Historic Places, had been contacted by three separate individuals about their interest in historic dance halls and Texas music history, and so he suggested that they should get together. When Steve Dean, Steph McDougal, and Patrick Sparks met for the first time on South Congress Avenue in Austin, they hatched a plan to start a nonprofit organization that would preserve dance halls and the authentic culture and music that was found in them.

For the first eight years, the organization focused on awareness-building and media outreach, including recognition of historic dance halls by Preservation Texas’ Most Endangered Places list in 2008. TDHP also put on dances and educational events.

In 2015, TDHP launched new ongoing programs to directly serve dance halls and in 2019, updated its mission to reflect an outward focus not only on dance halls, but also the communities in which they are located, underscoring the important role that these historic halls continue to play in the life of rural and urban areas.

Today, TDHP continues to be a leading organization in the preservation and promotion of Texas dance halls. Through programs, events, and partnerships, TDHP raises awareness of the cultural and historic significance of these iconic structures and works toward their preservation for future generations.

Our original logo, 2007–2017

Our current logo

Throughout its existence, TDHP board members and staff have consulted with numerous dance halls to help their owners make informed decisions about the best treatment for these historic buildings. In addition, some of our past accomplishments include:

Harvey “Extreme Weather” Project – Finalization

In 2024, StanTec submitted a draft report of its findings to Texas Dance Hall Preservation for review. The final version is here. The report provides valuable weatherization guidance and visibility to participating halls. The research appendices are here.

Preservation Grants

TDHP awarded new grants to support hall preservation and rehabilitation efforts at:

  • SPJST Lodge #24, Cyclone in Burlington
  • Sons of Hermann Hall in Dallas
  • SPJST Lodge #47, Seaton Star Hall in Temple
  • Western Cowpunchers in Amarillo

Longhorn Ballroom Recognition

The historic Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2024, recognized for both its architectural and cultural significance. TDHP interim executive director Steph McDougal assisted the organization with the process of getting listed. The designation honors the venue’s rich legacy but also makes it eligible for preservation incentives including grants, tax credits, and exemptions from certain taxes. The celebration event raised $3,000 for TDHP.

Texas Dance Hall Atlas Project

In partnership with the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Center for Cultural Sustainability, TDHP began development of the Texas Dance Hall Atlas using ArcGIS. This interactive tool compiles research from academics, preservation professionals, and local enthusiasts, with the goal of mapping every known dance hall in the state.

  • The ongoing inventory now includes about 1,200 halls, far exceeding previous estimates.
  • The Atlas will eventually be hosted on the TDHP website and could support multi-property nominations to the National Register in collaboration wih the Texas Historical Commission.

Texas Dance Hall Preservation continues to champion the legacy of these beloved halls through research, education, advocacy, and direct support—preserving dance halls, one two-step at a time.

Preserving Dance Halls, One Two-Step at a Time

Harvey “Extreme Weather” Project – Initial Phase

As part of a special emergency grant from the 2018 National Park Service Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund, TDHP partnered with StanTec to explore the impact of extreme weather—especially Hurricane Harvey—on historic dance halls. In 2023:

  • Interns identified approximately 300 halls within the Harvey disaster area.
  • 85 halls participated in a comprehensive survey conducted by StanTec.
  • 70 interviews and assessments were completed with hall owners and stewards.

This project laid the foundation for a forthcoming report aimed at helping hall owners better understand and prepare for extreme weather events in the future.

Fundraising Events

TDHP hosted two successful community dances that raised nearly $32,000:

  • “Swing Into Round Top” at Round Top Dance Hall (Fayette County) – June 2023
  • “Swing Into Fayetteville” at SPJST Lodge #1 with the Rocky King Band – December 2023

Tejano Dance Hall Project

The ongoing Multiple Property Submission (MPS) for Tejano dance halls expanded TDHP’s database from 118 to 195 sites. This research initiative supports future National Register nominations and highlights the historic contributions of Hispanic/Tejano communities.

National Outreach

TDHP Board President Steve Ray participated in a panel discussion at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, bringing national attention to the importance of preserving Texas’s unique dance hall culture.

  • Received the Texas Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation, the highest recognition for historic preservation in the state, for our work supporting Texas dance halls through the COVID-19 Relief Fund, in February 2022.
  • Put on our first post-COVID event, kicking off TDHP’s “Swing Into” Texas series of dances with Asleep at the Wheel at the Cat Spring Agricultural Society Hall in March 2022.
  • Hired our first full-time executive director, Bethany Wolf, an experienced nonprofit leader, in August 2022.
  • Entered into a formal agreement with the University of Texas San Antonio’s Center for Cultural Sustainability, led by William A. Dupont, to begin developing a GIS-enabled database of dance halls.
  • Created a video series of interviews with Texas musicians, hosted by Asleep at the Wheel frontman Ray Benson, which aired on KLRN-TV, San Antonio Public Television, in October 2022.
  • Continued surveying dance halls in the Hurricane Harvey disaster area for the National Park Service grant-funded project that began in 2020.

  • Continued the National Park Service grant-funded survey of dance halls in the Hurricane Harvey disaster area, to document the buildings, history of impacts from extreme weather events, and future threats due to flooding, fire, windstorms, etc.

  • Expanded to two part time staff, brought on Preservationist Casey Jordan as Executive Director, with Deb Fleming moving to Outreach Coordinator
  • Launched Texas Dance Hall Relief Fund in response to COVID-19 closures, raised $265,809 for 32 applicant halls throughout the state, reimbursing for building related expenses including insurance and utilities.
  • Distributed $22,500 in Preservation Grants in fall and Spring rounds.
  • Launched National Park Service funded grant focused on counties affected by Hurricane Harvey. Began initial search and identification of all dance halls in a 51 county area along the Texas coast. Team of interns identified over 450 dance halls (extant and gone) previously unknown to TDHP. This study will inform a 50 -100 hall survey that will later be used to create a disaster preparedness toolkit for dance halls.
  • Completed Insurance Appraisal project with Historic Appraisals Services

  • Contracted with Historic Appraisals Services to create an insurance appraisal comp group for Texas dance halls.
  • Partnered with Asleep at the Wheel on the fourth Texas Dance Hall Tour
  • Continued traveling photo exhibit with displays at Dallas Love Field and Austin Bergstrom International Airport
  • Distributed $9981.20 in Preservation Grants
  • Established the Jim Cannon Memorial Fund with the 1st half of a $25,000 private contribution honoring Mr. Cannon’s love of dancing at the time of his passing.
  • Wes Peoples Home contributed $15,000 from the sale of a new home in New Braunfels
  • Lone Star contributed $15,000 during the third year of the Tabs for Texas campaign.
  • The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation provided a $5000 grant for outreach efforts with hall.
  • Texas Hill Country Trail provided a $1500 grant for media focus in their region
  • Hye Hall in Hye, TX, dormant for 60 years reopened as a result of the Mothball/Stablization Project started in 2017
  • Hosted a Lifetime Achievement Award event at Sefcik Hall in Seaton, TX honoring Alice Sefcik Sulak for her many years of service to her community
  • Began collaboration with the UTSA Cultural Sustainability Center with three halls in Blanco and Lavaca counties

  • Updated our logo and branding with generous in-kind contributions by Austin creative agency GDS&M
  • Partnered with Asleep at the Wheel on the second Texas Dance Hall Tour, this time based in San Antonio (Fall 2018)
  • Developed a traveling photo exhibit to continue building awareness of Texas dance halls
  • Assisted Pilot Moon Films, creators of the Dance Hall Tapes project, with logistics and outreach to dance halls
  • Worked with owners of the former Log Cabin Dance Hall and the Texas Historical Commission to ensure that the building was identified as a historic resource during surveys for a water pipeline project

  • Partnered with Asleep at the Wheel on two multi-day Texas Dance Hall Tours, showcasing historic halls in the Texas Hill Country (Spring 2017) and Austin County (Fall 2017) to approximately 250 enthusiastic dancers from around the United States and other countries
  • Launched a quarterly newsletter (published on our website and with ISSUU)
  • With funding from the Texas Preservation Trust Fund, Texas Historical Foundation, The Summerlee Foundation, and National Trust for Historic Preservation, developed a toolkit of resources to help weatherize, secure and stabilize vacant or underused dance halls, protecting them from damage and deterioration until a new owner/use can be found or until the hall can be returned to more regular and frequent use
  • Worked with the Texas Music Office and the Texas Historical Commission to assist with the development of the Texas Music History Trail heritage tourism project
  • Established a formal partnership with SPJST to document and help lodge halls access the new Texas state tax credits for historic rehabilitation. This is the first part of our effort to document all Texas dance halls and list them on the National Register, when possible, which allows owners to access the tax credit program
  • Updated the TDHP bylaws to create a succession plan for Board presidents, ensuring continuity in leadership, and established a conflict of interest policy for the Board

  • Held a dance/fundraiser with Asleep at the Wheel and the Ennis Czech Boys at Round Up Pavilion Hall (La Grange)
  • This event incorporated a Fayette County Dance Halls Youth Art Contest and Display to engage young people and build public awareness.

  • Hosted the second Festival of Texas Fiddling with Texas Folklife at La Bahia Turn Verein Hall (Round Top)
  • Created a Preservation Fund grant program to make small seed grants for critical repairs or to kick off larger fundraising efforts

  • Hosted a Polka Symposium at Sengelmann Hall (Schulenburg)
  • Put on the Festival of Texas Fiddling with Texas Folklife at Twin Sisters Dance Hall (Blanco)
  • Held a dance/fundraiser with Asleep at the Wheel at Anhalt Hall – Germania Farmer Verein (Spring Branch)

  • Put on a “Historic Window Workshop” at Twin Sisters Dance Hall (Blanco)
  • Held a dance/fundraiser with Asleep at the Wheel at Anhalt Hall – Germania Farmer Verein (Spring Branch)

  • Hosted the Dance Across Texas concert series at six different halls
  • Held a Dance Hall Symposium at the Round Top Festival Institute

  • Received a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to create a Preservation Toolkit; this was ultimately used to conduct a building condition assessment at Nada Hall (Garwood)

  • Texas dance halls named to the Preservation Texas “Most Endangered Properties” list
  • Established the original TDHP logo and website
  • Held our first dance and fundraiser at SPJST Lodge No. 1 (Fayetteville)

Support Texas Dance Hall Preservation

Your kind and generous help makes it possible for us to work directly with dance hall owners by providing technical consulting, financial assistance, business management advice, fundraising consulting, and moral support. Please become a TDHP Member and make a donation today.

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