Preservation Texas and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department are partnering to host an exclusive, hands-on preservation training workshop focused on historic stone masonry assessment, stabilization, and traditional construction techniques November 11-14, 2026 at Hueco Tanks State Park.

Space is limited to fifteen participants from the general public who will train alongside fifteen Texas Parks & Wildlife staff members as they work to stabilize structures that belonged to Silverio Escontrias, a cattleman who established the site as a ranch in 1898. Escontrias’ four-room adobe home now serves as the interpretive center for the popular park, which is known for its Indigenous history, dramatic desert landscapes, and world-class rock climbing. The park’s massive boulders and natural rock basins, or huecos, have provided water and shelter for thousands of years, leaving behind a remarkable collection of pictographs and petroglyphs.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:
Opening Reception: Wednesday, November 11, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

This four-day event kicks off with an evening reception and presentation at Preservation Texas’s West Texas Heritage Center, located at 201 E San Antonio Ave in downtown El Paso. This is an opportunity to meet fellow workshop attendees and learn more about the history and significance of Hueco Tanks and the Escontrias homestead, where the hands-on portion of the workshop will take place. Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Regional history and architecture books, including Adobe Conservation: A Preservation Handbook, will be available for purchase.

Hands-On Historic Masonry Preservation Workshop: Thursday, November 12 - Saturday, November 14

The workshop will take place at Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site (6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1, El Paso), where participants will gain practical experience working with historic stone masonry. Led by experts from Cornerstones Community Partnerships, the workshop will explore dry-stack and earthen-mortar construction methods through hands-on work to stabilize and rebuild sections of ruined walls at the historic Escontrias homestead within the park. Participants will learn how to work with locally available materials while using traditional tools and construction techniques.

The workshop will also include a module on assessing historic adobe buildings, covering topics such as diagnosing cracking patterns, moisture testing, and soil analysis. Participants will learn how to identify the underlying causes of structural damage and better understand how those findings inform appropriate preservation treatments.

LODGING & MEALS:
Lunch will be provided daily at the workshop for participants registered through Preservation Texas. Lodging is not provided as part of this workshop. Attendees are welcome to reserve a campsite at Hueco Tanks State Park or choose from the many hotels and vacation rentals available in the El Paso area.

REGISTRATION:
Registration is $300 per person and is limited to 15 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more and register at preservationtexas.org/masonry to secure your spot today!

MEDIA IMAGES ( PHOTOS AND LOGOS)

Hueco Tanks Masonry Workshop

###

About Preservation Texas:
Founded in 1985, Preservation Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Texans to preserve their cultural heritage, and stewards significant buildings, collections, and cultural landscapes statewide to ensure their permanent protection. Visit preservationtexas.org for more information.