Historic Stone Fort Museum in Nacogdoches to be Relocated

UT System Regents approve plan to move museum for new science building at Stephen F. Austin State University

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved a new master plan for Stephen F. Austin State University that requires the relocation of the historic Stone Fort Museum, which has been a landmark on the university campus since 1936. The move is necessary to make way for a planned science building, sparking concerns from local historians about the preservation of the structure and its contents.

Why it matters

The Stone Fort Museum houses many historical and cultural artifacts that have been donated by local families over the decades. There are concerns that the moving process could potentially damage the historic bricks and overall structure of the museum building, as well as violate donor agreements for the artifacts inside.

The details

The Stone Fort Museum building must be moved to a new site chosen by the City of Nacogdoches, as ownership of the museum has officially transferred from the university to the city. Stephen F. Austin State University and Nacogdoches officials are tasked with coordinating the preservation of the museum's legacy as the campus footprint changes, but details on the specific new location and timeline for the move have not yet been released.

  • The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the relocation plan on February 28, 2026.

The players

Stephen F. Austin State University

A public university located in Nacogdoches, Texas that is undergoing a campus expansion requiring the relocation of the historic Stone Fort Museum.

Stone Fort Museum

A museum located on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University since 1936, housing many historical and cultural artifacts donated by local families.

City of Nacogdoches

The city that will choose the new location for the relocated Stone Fort Museum after ownership was transferred from the university.

Scott Sosebee

The executive director of the East Texas Historical Association who has raised concerns about the potential damage to the museum's artifacts during the relocation process.

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What they’re saying

“What's important about that structure right now, and I hear nothing about, is what's inside of it. Those are material cultural historical artifacts, what are they going to do with those? It's a museum, those have been donated by families and donors they have donor agreements with SFA, if you move all that stuff, you violate the donor agreements.”

— Scott Sosebee, Executive Director, East Texas Historical Association (KETK)

What’s next

The City of Nacogdoches will choose the new location for the relocated Stone Fort Museum, and further details on the timeline and preservation plans for the move have not yet been released.

The takeaway

This relocation plan highlights the challenges of preserving historic landmarks and cultural artifacts when universities need to expand their campuses. It raises important questions about how to balance progress and development with honoring the past and respecting donor agreements for museum collections.