The Friends of Fort Davis National Historic Site was established in 1983 by then Park Superintendent Doug McChristian. It was first organized to raise funds for the restoration of the Enlisted Men's Barracks. The Friends were a major contributor to the refurbishing of the Barracks Squad Room and the Orderly Room, both of which were opened to the public in 1988. Since the completion of the barracks, the Friends have participated in funding many other projects and events.
 
The Friends is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to acquire private funds from membership dues, donations and grants. These funds are used to support activities approved by the National Park Service for which congressionally appropriated funds are not available. The scope of these activities includes restoration, preservation, furnishings, and displays, as well as educational, cultural, research, and planning activities.

Together with Fort Davis NHS, the Friends have worked to improve the facilities, fund furnishings and displays, and support living history events that tell the story of the role that the Fort Davis Army Post played in the settling of the American western frontier. Learn more about our work on the Friends' Project Page.

With support from membership dues, donations, and grants from philanthropic foundations, the Friends raise money at the request of the park superintendent to fund improvements for Fort Davis National Historic Site.