Welcome!
Welcome to the website for the McLennan County Historical Commission!
This commission was created to provide leadership and coordinating services in the field of archeological, historical, and cultural preservation focusing on McLennan County, Texas.
We are charged with the duty of implementing and maintaining programs, services and projects aimed at promoting, restoring, and preserving historically significant information, structures, sites, and landmarks in this county.
We welcome your interest and invite you to learn more about our programs.
Celebrating Black Freedom Colonies of McLennan County with Charles L. Perkins
WHEN:
Monday, June 15th, 2026
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
WHERE:
West Waco Library & Genealogy Center
5301 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX
In honor of America's 250th anniversary, join the late Charles L. Perkins Sr. of the McLennan County Historical Commission for a pre-recorded presentation in which he shares the powerful and often overlooked stories of the Freedom Colonies of McLennan County—communities he calls "The Elite 11." Perkins will share how he traced the formerly enslaved families that built thriving settlements grounded in faith, education, and community. Discover how the Black church became the cornerstone of cultural life, how Juneteenth shaped identity, and why preserving oral history remains vital to understanding our shared American story.
Note: Copies of Mr. Perkins' book will be available for purchase at the event, courtesy of Mrs. Perkins.
In honor of Black History Month, we are proud to highlight the work of Charles Perkins and his research on the Black Freedom Colonies in McLennan County (1865-1895). Please explore the brochure below to learn more about this vital local history.
The Latest
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Good news for Waco history lovers! The landmark 1972 “Handbook of Waco and McLennan County, Texas” has officially entered the digital age. The book, long used by researchers, students, and genealogy enthusiasts, is now searchable and available online for free thanks to a digitization initiative led by the McLennan County Historical Commission. This project marks…
Crucial post-Civil War role of Waco, McLennan County Black Churches gets spotlight with event, book
Black churches in McLennan County provided a crucial transition into free communities for Black residents in the decades after emancipation from slavery, said a Waco historian who will share his findings in a Thursday talk at East Waco Library. Read the article →
The Elite 11: A Juneteenth Journey Through McLennan County’s Black Heritage
In this powerful Juneteenth documentary, Charles L. Perkins Sr., Secretary-Treasurer of the McLennan County Historical Commission, uncovers the buried history of 11 historically Black communities in Central Texas—what he calls “The Elite 11.” Through 3,000 miles of travel, over 800 hours of research, and invaluable interviews with living griots like Mrs. Inez Harris-Easley and TC…
Go Out & explore mcLennan county's historical treasures!
