Austin (Tex.). Austin Sesquicentennial Commission

The Austin Sesquicentennial Commission was created by the Austin City Council in 1983 to plan, promote, and implement the City of Austin's celebrations of Texas's 150th birthday in 1986. The Commission was a separate organization from the statewide Texas Sesquicentennial Commission, which supported the Sesquicentennial Commissions of cities and counties throughout Texas, via planning support and a conference held in December 1985. Dr. D. Wylie Jordan, MD, an Austin psychiatrist and Texas history enthusiast, lobbied for the creation of the Austin Sesquicentennial Commission in 1982.

The primary functions of the Commission were to encourage community involvement in Sesquicentennial activities, celebrate the history and heritage of Austin, and raise funds to support both Sesquicentennial celebration events and projects of lasting value to the city. The Commission incorporated as a non-profit organization, the Austin Sesquicentennial Program of Austin TX, Inc., on September 22, 1983, in order to accept and distribute charitable funds to finance the events sponsored and developed by the Commission. A twelve-member board appointed by the City Council helmed the Commission. Dr. Jordan served as President of the Commission and the Corporation for the entirety of their existence.

The Commission encouraged, sanctioned, and funded Sesquicentennial events and activities planned by individuals and organizations in Austin. Numerous organizations held events sanctioned and supported by the Commission, including Ballet Austin, Texas Wagon Train, Austin Legal Secretaries Association, The Girl Scouts, Austin Friends of Traditional Music, and the Texas Historic Dress Workshop.

Funds were raised to support these events and to finance the activities of the Commission via several fundraising efforts. Noted artist Amado Peña was commissioned to create a poster commemorating the Austin Sesquicentennial celebrations, the sale of which provided a continuous revenue stream to the Commission. The Commission's primary fundraising event was the Capital Ball, held January 31, 1986. The proceeds from this event went directly to funding sponsored Sesquicentennial events. Additional operational funds were raised through the sale of Austin Sesquicentennial promotional memorabilia. The Commission's Ambassador Program used volunteers to seek financial sponsorship of events by local businesses.

In addition, the Commission designed and implemented a fundraising project, Gifts for Austin, which provided funding for "worthy capital projects" intended to serve as the lasting legacy of the Austin Sesquicentennial Commission. One of the largest Gifts for Austin projects was a plan for the renovation of Republic Square Park in downtown Austin.

The Austin Sesquicentennial Commission and the Austin Sesquicentennial Program of Austin, TX, Inc. were dissolved July 31st 1987 following the completion of their functions in the sesquicentennial year.