County Historical Commission Outreach

CHC Establishment and Responsibilities

County Historical Commissions (CHCs) were established by the Texas Legislature to assist county commissioners courts and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in the preservation of Texas’ historic and cultural resources. The mission of each CHC is to preserve, protect, and promote these resources. Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 318, establishes work that CHCs may pursue appropriate to their county’s size and resources. CHCs consult with county officials, partners, and the THC to establish preservation priorities. CHCs are the primary points of contact for individuals seeking information about county history and historic sites. CHC responsibilities include:

• Reporting annually to their county commissioners court and the THC.
• Meeting at least four times each year.
• Surveying county historic resources.
• Assessing and maintaining historical markers, structures, and sites.
• Creating awareness and appreciation of historic preservation.
• Partnering with other preservation organizations.
• Promoting cultural and historic sites to develop and sustain heritage tourism.
• Participating in THC programs and consulting with THC preservation specialists.

CHC Activities

Texas is home to over 200 CHCs that provide more than 290,000 hours of volunteer service annually. The average CHC has 16 appointees that provide over 1,600 hours of volunteer service to their county. CHCs are passionate about historic preservation, and represent a broad range of ages, ethnicities, skills, and communities. A summary of CHC preservation activity for the 2022 calendar year is available here. See CHC activities by reading 2022 CHC Project Highlights.

CHC Brochure

The CHC brochure provides an overview of a CHC’s mission, the appointment process, and notable statewide preservation projects. It may be used to raise awareness of CHC efforts and to recruit new appointees. If able, we encourage CHCs to produce their own brochures that highlight outstanding preservation efforts. Download and print the CHC brochure here.

Meet Our Team

Nano Calderon

Nano Calderon is the County Historical Commission (CHC) Outreach Program Coordinator. He has worked in various roles at the THC for over a decade and enjoys teaching others about interpreting historic and cultural resources.

Jaclyn Zapata

Jaclyn Zapata is the CHC Outreach Program Specialist. She has been with the THC for over a year and is passionate about helping CHCs reach their county and statewide preservation goals.

How We Support CHCs

In the Office

• We field phone calls and emails from CHCs in search of technical assistance and connect them to THC programs and partner organizations.
• We evaluate annual reports from CHCs to identify statewide trends in organizational challenges and facilitate training opportunities to address these needs.  
• We help CHCs align their work with the Texas Statewide Preservation Plan to allow for access to a wide range of resources from volunteers and professionals.
• We evaluate annual reports to learn more about CHC activities and administer Distinguished Service Awards (DSAs).
• We communicate agency updates to CHCs including training, program deadlines, award programs, and partner events.

In the Field

• We meet with CHCs and county officials to explain the importance of CHCs, identify organizational challenges, and increase local support.
• We speak at THC and partner conferences and events on how best to develop programs that involve and support CHC resources and efforts.
• We connect CHCs through regional workshops and assist in planning workshop content.