The enduring first lady of Texas: Ima Hogg's influence on historic preservation in Texas

Abstract

This dissertation examines how Ima Hogg directly affected and elevated the field of historic preservation in Texas. The daughter of Texas' first native-born governor, Hogg possessed a number of unique characteristics, including her distinctive name, her family background, status as an unmarried woman, wealth obtained from oil royalties, and a deep connection to history through objects. To overcome depression, Hogg began collecting American antique furniture, a hobby which required her to travel extensively along the East Coast. These travels exposed her to other antique collectors, decorative arts museums, and professional standards of collections care. The combination of her character and East Coast experiences led Hogg to serve on a number of preservation committees and develop three museums; the Varner-Hogg Plantation, Bayou Bend, and Winedale. Ima Hogg became a bridge, circulating professional standards of museums and historic preservation she learned on the East Coast back to her home state, ensuring the state's history was properly preserved. Examining the various projects she worked on throughout her life also show an increased use of trained experts, professional standards, and development of the museum field itself.