League City Preservationist Honored with Statewide Award for Historic Efforts

The Texas Historical Commission has awarded the George Christian Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award to Steph McDougal, a dedicated preservationist from League City, for her significant contributions to the preservation of historic dance halls across Texas. This recognition is part of the commission’s annual Preservation Awards, which honor the efforts of individuals and organizations committed to protecting the state’s historic sites.

On January 30, 2026, the commission board approved the list of award recipients, and the winners were officially notified on February 9, 2026. McDougal was among ten individuals and organizations celebrated for their volunteer work in historic preservation.

McDougal is a co-founder and a longstanding leader of Texas Dance Hall Preservation Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic dance halls through various means, including grants, technical assistance, education, and community engagement. Her passion for preservation began in the late 1990s while she attended swing dance events across the United States. This interest deepened during her studies in historic preservation at the University of Texas at Austin.

One of McDougal’s notable achievements is the development of the organization’s preservation grant program, which has provided critical financial support to historic dance halls throughout the state. In 2020, the program played a vital role in helping 32 dance halls survive the economic impacts of forced closures due to the pandemic.

From 2023 to 2025, McDougal served as the executive director of the nonprofit, where she continued to raise funds and collaborate with various organizations to further the preservation of these cultural landmarks.

The awards ceremony will take place during the Texas Historical Commission’s Real Places 2026 conference, scheduled for April 8-10, 2026, in Austin, Texas, and will also be accessible online. McDougal’s recognition not only highlights her individual efforts but also underscores the importance of community involvement in preserving the cultural history of Texas.