View the 2022-2032 Statewide Historic Preservation Plan here.
As the State Historic Preservation Office, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) must produce a Statewide Historic Preservation Plan periodically to align preservation efforts at the local, regional, and state levels. The THC oversees the planning process and participates as one of many key stakeholders from across the state—this is a preservation plan for Texans by Texans. Stakeholders represent communities, organizations, and causes related to Texas history and cultural resources. Together, stakeholders meet, share ideas, express concerns, and prioritize goals intended to move preservation forward and expand the ways in which we save what is meaningful about our state's unique character.
Texas' most recent planning process was initiated in fall of 2021. The THC’s planning team facilitated an extensive series of in-person and virtual meetings from November 2021 through March 2022—about 20 meetings—enabling attendees to discuss present and future preservation needs throughout the state. The planning team created an extensive marketing campaign to ensure a wide range of perspectives were shared. Again, this is a planning process hosted by the THC but informed by individuals from around the state who participated in the planning process.
A story map of the planning process can be viewed here that overviews the steps taken to gather information and the emerging themes. Ideas and concerns submitted by participants were analyzed by the planning team, then crafted into goals and objectives. The resulting 2023-2033 plan sets a course for historic preservation activities across the state, providing implementation actions that help local preservationists and history-related organizations of any size contribute to our statewide preservation goals in meaningful ways. We encourage you to click on the link above to view the plan.
More about Statewide Historic Preservation Plans
As per the national Historic Preservation Act, each State Historic Preservation Office must develop a Statewide Historic Preservation Plan in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), the agency that oversees approval of final planning documents. Learn more about Statewide Historic Preservation Plans on the NPS website, which provides requirements and guidelines for creating a Statewide Historic Preservation Plan.
Associated Disaster Resiliency Documents
Texas’ 2023-2033 Statewide Historic Preservation Plan included a special focus on disaster resiliency—preparedness, response, and recovery—and how the state’s historic and cultural resources are handling these issues. Disaster-related work within the planning process was funded by the National Park Service’s Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund (ESHPF). This grant program has funded a wide range of recovery and resiliency efforts throughout states that have been impacted by recent natural disasters, including Texas.
The statewide planning process noted above incorporated disaster resiliency discussions to develop a better understanding of existing and potential vulnerabilities of historic and cultural resources. During our public planning meetings, we discussed with attendees how to best respond to and prepare for future natural and human-made disasters. These discussions informed a disaster resiliency goal within the statewide plan, as well as additional documents intended to help Texans address practical ways to protect individual and public property and landscapes.
Statewide Assessment of Disaster-Related Threats and Recommendations. This report provides information for state and local governments to address preparing and reacting to natural and human-made disasters that impact historic resources and landscapes. Content considers the spectrum of disasters common to Texas and provides recommendations for areas more susceptible to hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. Read the assessment.
Best Practice Guide for Local Government Planning. This guide includes the following: a disaster preparation and response planning framework; recommended language for response/recovery ordinances that ensures a quick disaster response for historic resources; and a template for local governments to identify historic resources at risk, evaluate ordinances, strengthen recovery protocols, and integrate historic preservation into other planning and emergency response documents. Read the guide.
Historic Property Owners Handbook. This handbook provides best practices for property owners to prepare for a natural or human-made disaster, immediate response, and long-term recovery. The Handbook includes information on technical and financial resources. Read the handbook.
Conversations with Tribal Nations
As part of the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan process, the THC initiated conversations about preservation priorities with representatives from the 29 federally recognized tribes that maintain connections and interest in what is now known as Texas. This included the three federally recognized tribes—the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe, and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo – who are located in Texas, as well as the 26 other federally recognized tribes with connections.
To ensure broader representation, these conversations took place during regularly scheduled Tribal Nations Calls, which currently are held by the THC Archeology Division as monthly virtual meetings. These conversations provided opportunities for the THC to identify and better understand Tribal Nation needs, interests, and collaboration opportunities for preserving cultural sites and resources of significance to the Tribal Nations, in addition to exploring appropriate ways to connect the public to tribal histories and tribal representatives.
Formal listening sessions with representatives of federally recognized tribes took place from April to November 2022 during THC’s monthly Tribal Nations Calls. A summary of the virtual listening sessions in a narrative, unabridged format is provided in a Conversations with Tribal Nations document, which includes preservation priorities outlined by the tribal representatives who participated in the discussions.
Publications
