What are County Historical Commissions?

The Texas Legislature authorized the establishment of County Historical Commissions (CHCs) to assist county commissioners courts and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in the preservation of our 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. The statute is fairly broad, leaving latitude for CHCs to manage activities appropriate to county size and resources. Appointees consult with county officials and preservation partners to determine the CHC's body of work.

As a political subdivision, CHCs serve as primary points of contact for individuals who need more information about particular aspects of history and historic sites in Texas. Contact information for CHC chairs is located below. Please note that CHC activity levels vary from county to county.

Active CHCs provide a broad range of services to individuals and organizations within the county. Some CHC appointees provide help with research and applications related to historical designations. More active appointees provide public presentations and events that educate and celebrate local history.

Use the contact information provided below to contact the CHC chair for your county to learn more. Find out if the CHC is active and, if so, what services and programs are in place.

Pictured: (Top) Cherokee CHC appointees receive a Distinguished Service Award at the county courthouse, (middle) Tarrant CHC hosts tours of their historic county courthouse, (bottom) Wheeler CHC chair, Ada Lou Lester, plays the part of a Fort Elliott laundress during the "Wild and Free on 83" event celebrating the history of Highway 83 that runs from Canada to Mexico.

Fun Facts about CHCs

Contact Information for CHCs

CHC chair's contact information frequently changes. CHC Outreach staff update the CHC Chair Contact Information list as needed. Please click the link below to access the most recent chair contact list.

CHC Chair Contact Information UPDATED MARCH 14, 2023

FYI--CHC Chair contact information is based on rosters submitted by the county/CHC to the THC. If a county is missing from the list, contact the County Judge's office to gather more current contact information.

CHC Outreach staff also assemble a list of THC staff contacts for programs that are frequently used by CHCs. Staff names, program affiliations, and telephone numbers are provided on the link below. A complete list of THC staff can be found on the "ABOUT US" tab at the top of this webpage.

THC Staff Short-List UPDATED OCT 2022

THC Recommendations for CHCs

State statutes direct CHCs to follow recommendations given by the THC. For this reason, the CHC Outreach Program provides CHC Orientation Material online, free of charge. CHC Outreach also works with THC staff to provide program recommendations that are most beneficial to the short- and long-term success of local preservation efforts.

The right side of this webpage provides weblinks to more information about the role of a CHC appointee and CHC organizational structures. We hope this web material helps CHCs contribute to preservation efforts on the local, regional, and state levels.

Pictured: Former THC Commissioner, Donna Carter, and THC staffer, Caroline Wright, discuss the importance of appropriate stewardship of historic properties.

CHCs that Thrive Using THC Programs

CHCs across the state participate in a number of THC programs that help educate the public on local and state history. Below, THC staff highlight just a few of the CHCs that excel in particular THC program or discipline.

Historical Marker Program: