Lori Duran
Annual Angelia Eberly Luncheon Attracts Supporters & History Fans
By Lori Duran Photography By: Jim M. Innes Photography and Forrest Preece
THE SCENE: The Austin Club, in the heart of downtown, was the setting for an afternoon celebrating the Capital City’s history. Approximately 200 business leaders, history enthusiasts, politicians, and philanthropists turned out for the Angelina Eberly Luncheon. Hosted by the Austin History Center Association, the jam-packed afternoon was filled with community, touching speeches, music, and honoring community leaders who have made a mark on the city.
THE VIBE: The business-chic attire featured an array of traditional business suits and dresses, with others taking advantage of the beautiful spring day by donning prints and bold colors. The result was a warm reflection that perfectly encapsulated Austin’s diverse nature and the event’s patrons.
The afternoon began with a welcome reception in The Austin Club Ballroom. Old friends reconnected, and new friends were made as guests dined on their meal that featured a curated menu created by Angelina Eberly Luncheon Co-Chairs Charles Peveto and Dee Hall. The dishes served were inspired by recipes from the iconic Green Pastures, owned by Mary Faulk Koock. The menu honored the Faulk family legacy as the Austin History Center (AHC) has expanded into the former John Henry Faulk Library, now part of the two-building AHC Campus.
Some took to the step-and-repeat banners to take photos with friends to commemorate the occasion. As guests dined, they were treated to remarks from organization and event leaders thanking them for their support over the years. They also enjoyed fantastic singing performances by the professional opera singer Jasmine Williams and an ensemble from Impact Arts.
During the program, Martha Hertzog, a founder of the Austin History Center Association, presented a history of Angelina Eberly, a central figure of the Texas “Archives War.” Eberly’s quick thinking secured Austin’s status as the state capital. In December 1842, when President Sam Houston dispatched Texas Rangers to secretly move the Republic’s archives to his namesake town, Eberly discovered the plot. She fired a cannon to alert the townspeople, who then chased the Rangers down, forced them to surrender the archives, and preserved Austin as the state capital. A prop cannon and booming sound effects added some excitement to the luncheon. The afternoon was capped off by Dan Bullock, who shared his family’s personal connection to Angelina Eberly and Austin’s early history.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 2026 Angelina Eberly Luncheon, co-chaired by Charles Peveto and Dee Hall, raised over $100,000 for the Austin History Center Association. Proceeds from the event will go toward education and preservation initiatives to share the rich and diverse history that highlights Austin’s impact on Texas, the nation, and the world since the city’s founding in 1839. For more information, follow the Austin History Center Association on Facebook and on Instagram.
