Overview
Reference this brief overview of the THCPP program for prospective applicants for more information regarding how to apply, budget and finances, grant awards, etc.. We also recommend the Courthouse FAQs page.
Eligibility
To participate in the THCPP and be eligible to receive grant funding, a project must meet the following criteria:
- A building that serves or has served as a county courthouse
- A building that is over 50 years old or is certified as worthy of preservation
- A building that has a current master plan approved by the THC. View approved master plans (PDF).
Current Grant Application Timeline
Getting Started with a Master Plan
To participate in the grant program, applicants must have prepared a Master Plan for preserving and maintaining their historic county courthouse. Hiring a professional preservation architect to assist in this process will help county representatives evaluate the current state of the courthouse and set priorities for rehabilitating and maintaining the building.
A good master plan includes a history of the building, historic photos and drawings, a thorough evaluation of existing conditions and a plan for the future, with an estimated budget for all the proposed work. The master plan must be submitted to the THC for review and may either be accepted, with suggested changes made and resubmitted, or rejected. Proposed work must comply with the Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The document is a general plan of action and does not include detailed construction plans and specifications.
Master Plan Resources:
Master Plan Outline & Format (PDF)
Finding and Hiring Qualified Historic Preservation Consultants (PDF)
Preservation Consultants for Previous and Current THCPP Projects (PDF)
Accepted and Rejected Master Plans (PDF)
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
2023 Courthouse Advisory Committee Recommendations
The Texas Historical Commission convened a Courthouse Advisory Committee that met in April and May 2023 to examine specific aspects of the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP). Approaching its 25-year anniversary, the program has attracted more than 140 participants and awarded more than $360 million to counties to fund the full restorations of 78 courthouses and provide smaller grants to assist with emergency and planning projects. The Commission appointed a Committee on February 1, 2023 to advise the Commission on improving construction quality to limit the number of courthouses returning for funding following their full restorations, examine the priorities of the THCPP by identifying buildings eligible for grant funding, and refine its grant project selection process. County judges and commissioners, facilities managers, a representative from the Texas Association of Counties, THC commissioners, preservation architects, and contractors comprised the Committee. The Committee met virtually on April 4 and April 12, 2023 to discuss the topics and make initial recommendations on how to address concerns, and on May 24, 2023 to finalize the Committee’s recommendations. Committee members reviewed and approved final revisions to draft recommendations, and the Commission adopted the final recommendations at its July 2023 Quarterly Meeting. Changes based on the CAC Recommendations will be integrated into the program and the Round XIII grant cycle and application material will reflect these changes.
2023 Courthouse Advisory Committee Recommendations (Approved)
Previous Grant Application Timeline, Procedures, and Forms
Applications are evaluated and grants awarded based on factors related to the specific building, the project proposal, and community support. Factors and weighting are listed for the previous application round below. Application and scoring history for previous rounds can be found here.
Round XII Forms and Procedures (PDF)
Round XII Scoring Criteria (PDF)
Regional Reviewers
Each county is assigned a THCPP staff member based on geographic region. Please please contact the program staff member assigned to your county, or contact the Program Coordinator Susan Tietz for general questions.
Fun Facts
