Abbott taps TSHA leader J.P. Bryan for Texas Bicentennial Commission

By AI, Created 8:16 PM UTC, May 26, 2026, /AGP/ – Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Texas State Historical Association Executive Director J.P. Bryan to the new Texas Bicentennial Commission, which will help shape planning for Texas’ 200th anniversary of independence. Bryan brings preservation, museum and business experience to a statewide panel charged with education and historic preservation efforts.

Why it matters: - The Texas Bicentennial Commission will guide planning for Texas’ 200th anniversary of independence, a milestone that will shape statewide commemorations, preservation efforts and education programs. - J.P. Bryan’s appointment gives the commission a leader with deep experience in Texas history, museums and historic preservation. - TSHA’s statewide reach could help the commission engage communities in all 254 Texas counties.

What happened: - Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Texas State Historical Association Executive Director James Perry “J.P.” Bryan Jr. to the newly established Texas Bicentennial Commission. - The Texas Legislature created the commission to spearhead planning, historic preservation and educational initiatives tied to the bicentennial. - Bryan is one of nine Texas leaders chosen by Abbott for the panel.

The details: - Bryan is the founder and CEO of Torch Energy Advisors, Inc. - Bryan founded The Bryan Museum in Galveston, which holds one of the world’s largest collections of historical artifacts and art related to Texas and the American West. - Bryan previously served as president of the Texas Historical Foundation, director of the Briscoe Museum and chairman of the Institute of Texan Cultures. - Bryan also served on the Texas Historical Commission after an earlier appointment by then-Gov. George W. Bush. - Bryan earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas at Austin. - Bryan is a graduate of the Thunderbird School of Global Management. - TSHA was founded in 1897 and is the state’s oldest learned society. - TSHA publishes the Handbook of Texas and the Southwestern Historical Quarterly. - TSHA says its educational network will be an asset to the commission’s community outreach efforts. - More information about the Texas State Historical Association is available here.

Between the lines: - The appointment ties a major statewide anniversary effort to an organization built around Texas history research and education. - Bryan’s mix of business leadership and preservation work suggests the commission will lean on both fundraising and public engagement skills.

What’s next: - The commission is expected to begin shaping the state’s bicentennial plans, preservation priorities and education initiatives. - TSHA is likely to play a supporting role as the commission reaches out across Texas. - The bicentennial celebration will culminate in Texas’ 200th anniversary of independence.