Texas Historical Commission
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
The commission also identifies Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks and recognizes them with Official Texas Historical Marker medallions and descriptive plaques. Finally, the commission identifies State Archeological Landmarks and Historic Texas Cemeteries.
A bimonthly publication, The Medallion, is published by the agency as a state-wide preservation newsletter.
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[edit] History of the Commission
Established in 1953, The Texas State Legislature created a State Historical Survey Committee with the task to identify important historic sites across the state. The Texas Legislature changed the agency's name to the Texas Historical Commission in 1973.
[edit] Personnel
Today, the agency employs about 100 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.
In the late 1990s, the agency was restructured to have seven divisions that carry out the responsibilities of the agency. The divisions are:
- Administration Division
- Staff Services Division
- Archeology Division
- Division of Architecture
- History Programs Division
- Community Heritage Division
- Marketing Communications Division
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
[edit] Texas Heritage Trails Program
The Texas Historical Commission administers this state-wide heritage tourism program. The goals of the program are to promote heritage tourism and historic preservation. The state of Texas is divided up into ten heritage regions: Texas Brazos Trail, Texas Forest Trail, Texas Forts Trail, Texas Hill Country Trail, Texas Independence Trail, Texas Lakes Trail, Texas Mountain Trail, Texas Pecos Trail, Texas Plains Trail, and the Texas Tropical Trail. 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.
[edit] Historical Markers
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.[1]
