How to Participate

 

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).

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

Program Rules

The program has been administered by THC under the rules established by a working group and adopted in 1999. The full text of the Texas Administrative Code is found, here.

Texas Administrative Code, Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (PDF)

Current Grant Application Timeline

The Round XII Grants were awarded in July 2022. Future Round information will be posted here as it becomes available. 

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.