Texas Historical Commission

The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas.

Texas Historical Commission
Texas Historical Commission seal
Texas Historical Commission logo
Agency overview
Formed1953
HeadquartersAustin, Texas
Employees175
Websitethc.texas.gov
Carrington-Covert House
Luther Hall
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Elrose Building
Christianson-Leberman Building

The commission also identifies Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHL) and recognizes them with Official Texas Historical Marker (OTHM) medallions and descriptive plaques. The commission identifies State Archeological Landmarks and Historic Texas Cemeteries. A quarterly publication, The Medallion, is published by the agency and includes news and advice about preservation projects, Texas’ historic sites, and heritage tourism opportunities.[1] The agency also maintains the online Texas Historic Sites Atlas featuring more than 300,000 site records, including data on Official Texas Historical Markers and National Register of Historic Places properties in Texas.[2]

The commission has main offices in the Capitol Complex in downtown Austin; the complex includes the Carrington-Covert House, Luther Hall, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Elrose Building, and the Christianson-Leberman Building.

History of the Commission

Established in 1953, the state legislature created the Texas State Historical Survey Committee to oversee state historical programs. The legislature revised the agency’s enabling statute to give it additional protective powers, expand its leadership role and educational responsibilities, and officially changed its name to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). In 2007, the legislature transferred management of 20 state historic sites from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the THC.[3]

Personnel

Today, the agency employs about 200 personnel. The Texas Historical Commission leadership is composed of 18 members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, serving overlapping six-year terms. All members must be citizens of Texas, and together represent all geographical areas of Texas.

The commission also employs personnel in various fields, including archeology, architecture, economic development, heritage tourism, history, public administration and urban planning. These personnel consult with citizens and organizations to preserve Texas's architectural, archeological and cultural landmarks.

The agency includes the following divisions dedicated to overseeing the agency's programs:[4]

  • Administration
  • Archeology
  • Architecture
  • Community Heritage Development
  • Historic Sites
  • History Programs
  • Public Information and Education
  • Staff Services

There are several boards associated with the Texas Historical Commission:

  • The State Board of Review
  • The Antiquities Advisory Board
  • The Guardians of Texas Preservation Trust Fund
  • The Advisory Board of the Texas Preservation Trust Fund
  • The Main Street Interagency Council

Texas Heritage Trails Program
Texas Historical Commission marker approved for the Lake Creek Settlement located in front of the N. H. Davis Museum and Pioneer Complex, 308 Liberty Street, Montgomery, Texas in the Texas Forest Trail region

The Texas Historical Commission administers this statewide heritage tourism program.[5] This program is historically based in the ten scenic driving regions that Texas Department of Transportation and Gov. John Connally designated in 1968 in connection with the World's fair in San Antonio, Texas, called HemisFair '68. After the fair, these trails were all but forgotten. The Texas Historical Commission began its program based on these historical designations in 1998, starting with the Texas Forts Trail.[6] The goal of the program is to promote heritage tourism and historic preservation.

The THC divides Texas into 10 heritage regions:

In 2005 the Heritage Trails Program won the Preserve America Presidential Award for exemplary accomplishment in the preservation and sustainable use of America's heritage assets, which has enhanced community life while honoring the nation's history.[9]

State Historic Sites
San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site.
Main article: List of Texas State Historic Sites

The Texas Historical Commission preserves and operates 31 state historic sites across Texas. These unique places honor the past and inspire an understanding of what it means to be a Texan. From American Indian sites to frontier forts to common and elegant homes and the leaders and statesmen who lived in them, these sites enrich people’s lives through history.[10]

Fort Griffin is home to the official State of Texas Longhorn Herd.[11]

Historical Markers
Texas Historical Commission marker located in Glenwood Cemetery (Houston, Texas) commemorating the many important contributions made by Republic of Texas President Anson Jones to the history of Texas.

Sponsors may apply for official historical markers through their county historical commissions. The purpose of the markers, which are available in a variety of types (cemetery, building, subject) and sizes, is to educate the public. An application must meet certain requirements to be approved by the THC commissioners as qualifying for a marker.

Beginning in November 2006, the Texas Historical Commission adopted a new marker program. The following are some of the major changes to the program:

  • All applications are to be submitted electronically
  • There is now an annual application deadline
  • An application fee is required
  • The inscription process has been reworked

As of 2007, there are over 13,000 Official Texas Historical Markers placed throughout the state. Texas has the most prolific state historical marker program in the United States.[12]

One of the devotees of the expanded historical marker program was Rupert N. Richardson, the Texas historian who served as a THC member from 1953–1967 and was from 1943-1953 the president of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.[13]

The Historical Markers have been manufactured by The Southwell Company, located in San Antonio, Texas. In 1936 the company was awarded the contract to manufacture all of the bronze historical markers for the Texas Centennial. Since then thousands of cast aluminum historical markers have been provided for the State of Texas. In 1976, the company was selected to manufacture all of the historical markers for the Bicentennial.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Main article: Recorded Texas Historic Landmark

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark is the highest designation given by the Texas Historic Commission for significant structures in Texas.

State Antiquities Landmark

The THC may designate certain locations as State Antiquities Landmarks provided that they are not located on federal lands. These locations may fall into one of two categories:

  • Historic buildings which must also be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and which are publicly identified.
  • Archeological sites, which may not necessarily have NRHP listing, and whose locations are not available to the general public in order to avoid vandalism.

Designation as a State Antiquities Landmark does not prohibit the destruction or modification of such a structure or location. Instead, the designation requires a permit for any modification subject to public review by the THC.[14]

Headquarters complex

The commission has main offices in the Austin Complex in downtown Austin; the complex includes the Carrington-Covert House at 1511 Colorado Street, Luther Hall, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Elrose Building, and the Christianson-Leberman Building.[15][16]

The Carrington-Covert House was turned over to the commission to serve as the agency's headquarters in 1971. Gethsemane Lutheran Church was restored to serve as offices of the agency in 1970 and 1971.[17]

Friends of the Texas Historical Commission

Incorporated in 1996, the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC) is a 501c(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization, further designated as a 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A0(vi) Public Charity, whose purpose is to develop private philanthropic resources to assist the Texas Historical Commission with its mission to identify, preserve, and protect our history—providing a lasting legacy for future generations. FTHC secures contributions to support the programs, projects, and activities of the Texas Historical Commission not provided for in the state budget. Despite its name, the Friends is not a membership organization.[18]

Over the past two decades, FTHC has helped secure more than $10 million to support THC projects and programs, including the 17th century La Belle shipwreck excavation in Matagorda Bay, the Fort St. Louis excavation, the Red River War Battle Sites Project, Texas in the Civil War and World War II Initiatives, the Texas Courthouse Stewardship Program, restoration of the Fulton Mansion, restoration of 23 historic Texas flags, and more.

FTHC's vision is that every community in Texas has a culture that supports history and historic preservation, so that we may pro-actively protect, preserve and learn from our collective past. Our goal is that no part of Texas history is unprotected or untold. To that end, our organization builds philanthropic support for the Texas Historical Commission so that the Commission can:

  • Preserve, protect, and promote historic resources for the use, education, and enjoyment of present and future generations;
  • Tell the story of Texas through place-based educational opportunities;
  • Increase visitation and enhance the visitor experience to historic locations across Texas; and
  • Empower the current and future Texas preservation community by building capacity through technical education, training, and mentoring by THC experts.
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See also

Notes
  1. http://www.thc.texas.gov/medallion Accessed on March 5, 2016.
  2. http://www.thc.state.tx.us/preserve/texas-historic-sites-atlas Accessed on March 5, 2016.
  3. http://www.thc.state.tx.us/about-us/agency-timeline Accessed March 5, 2016.
  4. http://www.thc.state.tx.us/about/our-divisions Accessed on March 5, 2016.
  5. Karimi, Sabah. "Heritage Tourism in Texas". USA Today. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  6. Bluthardt, Bob (21 September 2012). "Trail offers more than forts". San Angelo Standard-Times. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  7. "Brazos Trail Region to begin work as next Heritage Trail". Temple Daily Telegram. 5 September 2002. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  8. Reynolds, John (13 August 2003). "Texas Plains Trail designated state's newest heritage trail". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  9. Milhans, Bruce. "ACHP announces 2009 Preserve America Presidential Awards". Preserve America. preserveamerica.gov. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  10. https://www.thc.texas.gov/news-events/press-releases/eight-new-state-historic-sites-welcomed-texas-historical-commission Accessed on November 30, 2019.
  11. http://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/fort-griffin/history/legendary-longhorns
  12. , Marker & Designation Frequently Asked Questions, Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
  13. "Mark Odintz, "Rupert N. Richardson", The Handbook of Texas". tshaonline.org. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  14. Staff (July 8, 2016). "State Antiquities Landmarks". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  15. "Texas Historical Commission Austin Complex Archived 2009-01-06 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved on March 6, 2009.
  16. "Contact Us." Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved on March 6, 2009.
  17. "A 10K Walk Through German-Texas Heritage in Austin, Texas." The University of Texas at Austin. 3/6. Retrieved on November 15, 2009.
  18. http://www.thcfriends.org/about/our-history Accessed on March 5, 2015.
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