Old Granite School Fundraising Campaign
The museum is raising funds in order to rehabilitate our building, the historic Old Granite School. Visit our Givebutter fundraising site to contribute or click on the 'Donate' button below. You can also mail a donation to the museum at: PO Box 1333, Marble Falls, TX 78654. Write "Old Granite School Restoration" in the memo line.
Capital Campaign Goal:
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Thank You to Our Generous Donors
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Coldspring Granite Co
City of Marble Falls - EDC Robyn Richter The Double O Family Trust LCRA & PEC Burnet County Tourism J.M. Huber Corp. Dick & Kay Giesecke Joe Cude Jane Knapik Farmer-Clement Family Double O Solutions Henry Hohenberger Family Eric Schnelle Burnet County Historical Commission Mike & Cynthia Allen The Summerlee Foundation Nancy Ebeling Richie Giesecke Security State Bank & Trust The Burnam Family |
Judge Guilford III & Jennifer Jones
Jo Ellen Shifflett Billie Reeder Annette Ussery Target Construction Dr. Amy Van Dorfy & Dr. Peter Gosselink Dianne Mitchell Stephen Purvis Bob Kent Russell Buster Fred & Kay Zagst Marianne McEwin Grant Ray Thompson Suzanne W Freeman Cyril & Lyn Lejeune Deborah Maynard Carol Rose James & Shirley Jorden Robert & Linda Lambert Eileen Hurd Tom & Darlene Oostermeyer |
LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Falls on the Colorado Museum for major renovations to the museum. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are: Jared Fields, PEC external relations representative; Amanda Seim, museum board chair; Carol Freeman and Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board members; Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager; and Michael L. “Mike” Allen, LCRA Board member. Second row: Beth Koennecke, PEC external relations representative; Susan Patten, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Nancy Ebeling, museum board secretary; and Earl Foster, Lakeway Municipal Utility District general manager. Back row: Jase Sutton, museum board member; Celeste Mikeska, PEC community relations manager; Danielle Meredith, museum board member; Darlene Oostermeyer, museum board vice chair; and Robyn Richter, museum board member.
About Our Building
Constructed in 1891, the building holds immense historical value and is recognized with a Texas Historical Marker. Originally serving as a university, it transitioned into a public school in 1907 following Marble Falls' incorporation. The building continued to hold school classrooms and later administrative offices until 1987. The Falls on the Colorado Museum moved into the building in 2010 and now uses the space to tell Central Texas’ and Marble Falls’ unique history.
The current project will revitalize the historic building and make it fully functional. The museum has been limited to the first floor, since the second story requires repairs to make it usable space. Rehabilitating the second floor will effectively double the museum’s capacity, allowing room to develop new exhibits and programs. Not only will these repairs help preserve a beloved local landmark, but it will also allow the museum to better serve our community and visitors from near and far.
The revamped museum will serve as a focal point for community engagement and hosting programs that bring people together to learn and celebrate. By preserving and enhancing this historic landmark, we will create a lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
"Buy a Window" Sponsorship
The museum is offering a sponsorship opportunity through the "Buy a Window" program, where new upstairs windows can be purchased for $5,000 each. Additionally, supporters can choose to refurbish a downstairs window for $3,500 each. Donors will have their names engraved on a plaque displayed in the museum as a lasting tribute.
Fundraising Campaign Goal: Phases 1 & 2 = $500,000
Phase 1: $250,000
Donor Recognition Display
All donations $500 and over will be memorialized on a donor recognition display at the Museum. Donate today and be remembered forever!
Constructed in 1891, the building holds immense historical value and is recognized with a Texas Historical Marker. Originally serving as a university, it transitioned into a public school in 1907 following Marble Falls' incorporation. The building continued to hold school classrooms and later administrative offices until 1987. The Falls on the Colorado Museum moved into the building in 2010 and now uses the space to tell Central Texas’ and Marble Falls’ unique history.
The current project will revitalize the historic building and make it fully functional. The museum has been limited to the first floor, since the second story requires repairs to make it usable space. Rehabilitating the second floor will effectively double the museum’s capacity, allowing room to develop new exhibits and programs. Not only will these repairs help preserve a beloved local landmark, but it will also allow the museum to better serve our community and visitors from near and far.
The revamped museum will serve as a focal point for community engagement and hosting programs that bring people together to learn and celebrate. By preserving and enhancing this historic landmark, we will create a lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
"Buy a Window" Sponsorship
The museum is offering a sponsorship opportunity through the "Buy a Window" program, where new upstairs windows can be purchased for $5,000 each. Additionally, supporters can choose to refurbish a downstairs window for $3,500 each. Donors will have their names engraved on a plaque displayed in the museum as a lasting tribute.
Fundraising Campaign Goal: Phases 1 & 2 = $500,000
Phase 1: $250,000
- replacing the upstairs windows and bringing them closer to their original appearance
- repairing the lower windows
- repairing the interior stairs and improving the handrails
- outfitting the second floor for exhibits, programs and events
- installing outdoor educational areas
Donor Recognition Display
All donations $500 and over will be memorialized on a donor recognition display at the Museum. Donate today and be remembered forever!
April 2025 Update
We’re excited to announce that a major step in restoring our historic building is now underway! Crews have begun replacing the non-original upstairs windows with historically accurate ones that match the originals and the lower-story windows. These upgrades will not only help bring back the building’s original appearance but also improve energy efficiency.
A big thank-you to all the generous donors who sponsored these windows—your support is making this restoration possible!
A big thank-you to all the generous donors who sponsored these windows—your support is making this restoration possible!
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June 2024 Progress Update
As of June 9, 2024, the repairs to the upstairs sub-flooring have been completed. New load bearing supports have been added and the ceiling repainted. Also, ventilation fans have been installed under the building to manage moisture levels. Outside, masons are replacing old mortar with a more authentic mix. Black tension cables with antique-style turnbuckles will be installed after attic and roof support work. Salvaged wood floors are being sanded and sealed.(see photos below).
The wall between the two eastern upstairs rooms has been removed, creating a spacious new event area for the museum. This expansion will help alleviate the space constraints we've faced in our current program room, which has a capacity of only 50 people.
The walls separating the rooms in the northwest corner of the building have been removed, which has created a large area that will serve as our youth programming room.
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A wonderful discovery was made when the subfloor decking was removed at the North and South areas where the stairs meet the floor. The original plank flooring was uncovered: 3” wide by 1¼” thick, clearly rough cut from the sawmill. The flooring might be Texas Red Oak, and after sanding, it will be beautiful.
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