New Manger Named for Fort Lancaster State Historic Site

SHEFFIELD, Texas––The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Historic Sites Division recently announced the hiring of Jefferson Spilman as site manager for Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, located in Sheffield.

Spilman previously served as site supervisor at the Three Rivers Park District in Shakopee, Minnesota for eight years where he supervised and managed The Landing-Minnesota River Heritage Park (a living history park focused on Minnesota history from 1840–1890). Prior to that he was the chief of interpretation at the Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Virginia, and he previously worked as an associate curator at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.

“I’m excited to bring my experience to this position and look forward to working with the dedicated staff at the THC,” said Jefferson Spilman. “This property is a remarkable example of one of the state’s real places and I plan on working hand-in-hand with the community on enhancing the site and bringing its history to life for the enrichment of our visitors.”

Spanning 82 acres, Fort Lancaster commemorates the vestiges of one of four posts established in 1855 to protect the military route between San Antonio and El Paso.

The THC’s 20 historic sites represent compelling examples of the Texas mystique throughout the Lone Star State. Rehabilitation projects and interpretive plans have been completed at many of the sites, offering heritage travelers an enhanced experience of these real places telling the real stories of Texas history. To learn more, visit www.visitfortlancaster.com and www.texashistoricsites.com.