The Cabinet Oak Project Auction and Celebration was concluded on May 6, 2023.
We raised over $89,000 to benefit restoration of the Texas White House and creation of an Artist-in-Residence Program at LBJ National Historical Park.
Thank you and stay tuned for more from the Friends of LBJ NHP and the Cabinet Oak Project - we're not done!
Want to see the art below in person? You can by visiting the LBJ Ranch now through May 31. See history reimagined through the creativity of more than 50 artists in a free exhibition of The Cabinet Oak Project in the park's Hangar Visitor Center
The Cabinet Oak Project is a unique event that blends the history of the 36th President of the United States, a magnificent oak tree, and the work of artists from across the nation and Texas. Lyndon Baines Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson lived on the banks of the Pedernales River in a home that came to be known as the Texas White House. The lawn of this home is graced by a magnificent Texas Live Oak, known as the Cabinet Oak. Wood from that tree has been re-envisioned by 53 artists and returned to its place of birth in the Texas Hill County. You have the opportunity to acquire this art, the history it represents, and thereby make a meaningful contribution to a re-imagined visitor experience of the restored Texas White House. A portion of the proceeds will also go to funding an Artist-in-Residence program at the park.
This auction will conclude on May 6, 2023 at the COP Live Auction and Celebration hosted by our partner, Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye Texas. On this evening we'll conclude the auction of all 53 works of art. Eight of these pieces, including seven selected for Juror's Recognition by Katie Robinson Edwards, PhD., and one People's Choice Award, will be auctioned live at the celebration. The starting bid for these eight pieces will be the highest bid submitted through ClickBid. The high bidder will be given the opportunity to continue bidding during the live event. We'll also complete the online bidding for all of the remaining 45 pieces during the celebration.
National Parks depend on the involvement and support of the public. The Friends of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park work in partnership with the National Park Service to support the LBJ NHP in three key areas: education, preservation, and restoration. We could not do this work without the generosity of our supporters. Please click our logo if you wish to join us as a Sustaining Member.
The Texas White House at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (LBJ NHP) is a national treasure, an important presidential time capsule, and a key cultural attraction in the Texas Hill Country. However, due to structural and environmental issues, the house has been closed to the public since August 2018. Thanks to funding from the American Outdoors Act, it is being restored.
This restoration provides an unique opportunity to create an immersive, engaging, and memorable experience for visitors. It’s necessary to raise additional funds for this purpose. Building the support for these improvements is a significant and historic challenge for the Friends, but it’s also a moment of unique opportunity. We cannot allow it to pass without doing all we can to assure this restoration will reflect LBJ and Lady Bird's legacy at this very special place.
The Winner of the People's Choice Award was, Contemplation by Cindee Klement. Congratulations Cindee!