SFA announced that it will be relocating the historic Stone Fort Museum due to upcoming development projects. Here’s what you need to know.
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) recently announced its plans to relocate its historic Stone Fort Museum to make way for the construction of a new science building. The master plan for the long-term campus overhaul was approved by the University of Texas System Board of Regents and will likely take between 15 and 20 years to complete in its entirety. The massive project will also entail upgrading existing infrastructure, as well as building new academic facilities and residence halls. While these are all positives for the campus, the proposed relocation of the 90-year-old Stone Fort is concerning to many due because of the complicated nature of moving such a building.
Marketing staff for SFA sent an email on Friday addressing the dilemma, stating, “We are working with city officials to explore potential relocation sites. Our shared goal is to preserve the Stone Fort replica and enhance its accessibility and visibility in the community.” The structure as it currently stands was built in 1936 (the original was torn down in 1902) during the Texas Centennial celebration. It was constructed using salvaged materials from the previous museum, adding another layer of history to the equation.
Chron notes that an official cost estimate and relocation timeline for the Stone Fort have not yet been announced, though the outlet did receive correspondence from a SFA spokesperson who said that, “The University and the City are now collaborating to identify potential locations for the museum near its original setting.” Despite this reassurance, many are still skeptical—and unhappy—with SFA’s decision to move the museum at all.
SFA professors and community members have expressed displeasure with the decision
When SFA announced its intention to relocate the Stone Fort Museum off campus, many expressed immediate displeasure and disapproval. Historian Scott Sosebee, who serves as East Texas Historical Association’s director and is a professor at SFA, says the process for relocating the structure is complicated. “You can’t just take a wrecking ball, knock it down and put it back up downtown. You have to take it apart piece by piece,” he explained. Sosebee added that regardless of how much pushback the school might get, it’s unlikely that the decision will be overturned. He said the priority now needs to be preserving the museum and the 18th century materials it is constructed out of, as well as the contents it houses.
Sosebee isn’t alone in his feelings. The Daily Sentinel noted that a community member commented on its Facebook post announcing the relocation expressing similar feelings. The individual wrote, “They should have kept it clean around and just built around it. Moving it takes away from the history.” While this unfortunately doesn’t seem to be an option for SFA anymore, the hope remains that the Stone Fort Museum is protected and preserved as much as it possibly can be elsewhere.
