About the Port Aransas Museum

The creation of the Port Aransas Museum was accomplished through a joint effort between the Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association and the City of Port Aransas.

One of the goals of PAPHA, which was established in 2002, was to create the first historical museum in Port Aransas to preserve and showcase the town’s history. Another was to inventory historic Port Aransas sites.

A site survey was accomplished by obtaining a matching grant in 2006. PAPHA also received the Visionaries in Preservation grant from the Texas Historical Commission, completing the process needed to advance as a preservation organization.

1900s Kit House

Owners of an early 1900s kit house offered to sell it to PAPHA where it stood, which was not an option due to the cost of land in Port Aransas and the lack of funds in the PAPHA treasury. Another option was for the owners to give the house to PAPHA to move to another location, which is what they did.

In 2007, Preservation Texas, a private, nonprofit statewide preservation group, named the house one of the state’s top 12 most endangered structures.

Papers transferring ownership to PAPHA were signed on Feb. 8, 2007.

The problem then was where and how to move it, and how to pay for all aspects, including remodeling the home into a museum after the move.

PAPHA applied for grants, held fundraisers and met with the City of Port Aransas, utility companies and movers. Enough money was raised to move the house, but not for land.

Move to Current Location

The City Council and City Manger agreed to find a place on city property for a museum, finally settling on part of the Community Center property site.

In April 2008 the house was moved to it’s current location. It was renovated and opened as a museum by December of the same year.

Help from the Entire Community

Along with the city’s help and concessions by utility companies, the entire community helped with donations of time, talent, material, equipment, ideas and support.  The Port Aransas Garden Club graciously landscaped the Community Center complex with the club’s money and skilled gardeners.

Docent Program

The museum is open three days a week. Docents have been trained and work as volunteers in the Port Aransas Museum. The program includes ongoing training for these docents and future docents. Docents give tours; work outreach with schools on historical lessons, games and tutorials; give tours of the Little Chapel on the Hill, and are working with the museum director to establish walking tours.