Hagan, Julia

Born in San Augustine, Texas, to Henry Jackson Mathews, Sr. and Amanda Louvenia Smith, Julia Myrtie Mathews Hagan dedicated her life to the preservation of Texas' historic landmarks, serving on numerous commissions and receiving a number of awards. Joining the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 1939, Hagan was elected president in 1959. While president, she oversaw the restoration of the French Legation and the installation of the first heating and air conditioning units in the Alamo. Hagan served for nine years on the San Jacinto Battleground Commission and worked on the preservation of the De Zavala Cemetery. In addition to her work for San Jacinto and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Hagan also was a member of the Magna Charta Dames, the Colonial Dames of America, the Texas Heritage Society, the Harris County Historical Commission, and the Brazos State Park. Hagan died in 1991.