News

Galveston, TX – [November 9, 2023] – The Battleship Texas Foundation is thrilled to express its deepest gratitude to the City of Galveston and the Port of Galveston Board of Trustees for their recent consideration and acceptance of the terms of negotiations and future lease agreements. This renewed vote of confidence will further progress the mission to restore and revitalize the Battleship Texas, solidifying its place as an integral part of the Galveston community.

“We at the Foundation see a bright future for the Battleship Texas,” said Tony Gregory, President and CEO. “We look forward to stewarding the legacies of the brave men who served our great nation aboard and expanding our educational programming so that the Battleship Texas can be cherished for decades to come.”

The Battleship Texas Foundation is excited to be working on an agreement with Landry’s, aimed at enriching the Battleship Texas experience for Galveston and patrons from around the world by bringing the Landry’s world-class operational expertise and integrating the Battleship Texas with the Pier 21 development. As negotiations are in progress, the focus remains steadfast on enhancing maintenance, preservation, educational programs, and preserving the Foundation’s operational oversight and strategic vision for the future.

“We look forward to bringing the Battleship to her new home at Pier 21 and reopening as a world-class educational museum honoring our veterans and the storied history of the Battleship Texas,” added Matthew Pham, Vice President of Development.

Due to generous support from the State of Texas, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Valkor, Gulf Copper, Dini Spheris and donors, the campaign to save the Battleship Texas has reached 80% completion. The focus now shifts to the second phase of the campaign, titled “Bring Her Home!” This $15 million phase will transform the USS Texas into a state-of-the-art visitor experience. The plans include the restoration of 60 unique spaces featuring interactive and technology-driven exhibits, augmented reality, holograms, guided tours, and integrations with cell phones. Additionally, the Texas will be climate-controlled for year-round access and will offer expanded visitor amenities.

These enhancements will also pave the way for the expansion of the Foundation’s cornerstone educational program: the Overnight Education Program, where children can experience a piece of what sailors during WWII would have endured. Before restoration, Battleship Texas Foundation hosted 4,000 children per year as a part of this program, and the updates to the Visitor Experience will allow this to grow exponentially. Furthermore, the Foundation will invest approximately $8.5 million to build new home port infrastructure to safely moor the Battleship at Pier 21 and ensure she stands as a testament to the past, present, and future of our great nation.

Visit battleshiptexas.org to donate or join the Flagship Circle with an annual pledge of $2,500 or more. This exclusive membership includes the unique opportunity to have your name written on the hull of the Battleship before she goes back into the water, among other exclusive access opportunities to Battleship events. Additional merchandise such as genuine 1912 paperweights and plaques crafted from the ship’s original steel are also available for purchase along with opportunities for named recognition on board, tied to specific spaces, from the Gangway to the Engine Rooms. For more information, contact Matthew Pham at [email protected].

Battleship Texas Foundation is taking public comments through the webform below, or by email to [email protected].