Texas Statewide Preservation Plan Vision
In the year 2020, as a result of our collective work to preserve the state’s historic and cultural resources, we have achieved the following:
- All cultures and generations in Texas value historic places.
- We learn the diverse stories of Texas everyday through living, working and playing in historic places.
- Historic preservation is a fundamental strategy for economically, socially and environmentally healthy communities.
Statewide Plan Goals
Goal 1: Survey and Online Inventory
Texans undertake a comprehensive survey of the state’s diverse historic and cultural resources resulting in a publicly accessible online inventory.
Goal 2: Emphasize Cultural Landscapes
Communities are active in the identification, protection and interpretation of cultural landscapes.
Goal 3: Implement Policies and Incentives
Cities, counties, the state, federal agencies and tribes implement preservation policies and incentives to effectively protect historic and cultural assets.
Goal 4: Leverage Economic Development Tools for Preservation
Communities leverage preservation-based and traditional economic development tools to revitalize historic areas.
Goal 5: Learn and Experience History through Place
Texas residents and guests of all ages learn and experience the state’s diverse history through formal education, recreation, and everyday interactions with historic places.
Goal 6: Connect Preservation to Related Fields
We connect and integrate preservation into related fields and activities, building a broader, stronger, and more diverse community.
Goal 7: Cultivate Political Commitment
We cultivate political commitment for historic preservation at the state and local level.
Goal 8: Build Capacity of Preservation Community
The existing preservation community develops its organizational capacity to strengthen and expand preservation skills.
Goal 1: Survey and Online Inventory
Texans undertake a comprehensive survey of the state’s diverse historic and cultural resources resulting in a publicly accessible online inventory.
Statewide Outcomes
- Increase in historic and cultural resources surveyed statewide by 2020
- Functioning map-based web database that links all surveys and inventories (all state agencies, local inventories, National Register eligibility determinations, etc.)
- THC Atlas and other relevant inventories are continually updated and managed to keep pace with the increase in survey data and improvements in technology - In progress
- New THC website assists customers in locating information quickly and easily
THC Programs Supporting Survey Goal
- Historic Resources Survey Program
- Historic Sites Atlas
- National Register of Historic Places
- Regional Archeology
- Certified Local Government Program
- Statewide Survey of World War II Sites
More Information and Resources
Goal 2: Emphasize Cultural Landscapes
Communities are active in the identification, protection and interpretation of cultural landscapes.
Cultural landscapes recognize that historically significant resources may include more than distinct buildings, and that there may even be an absence of buildings. Cultural landscapes can range in size from thousands of acres to a small yard, but all have in common humankind’s imprint on the natural landscape.
Statewide Outcomes
- Statewide survey includes cultural landscapes
- Increased tourism partnerships and opportunities through preservation and promotion of cultural landscapes
- Increased preservation capacity through training and resources for local cemetery committees
- Local communities participate in the Historic Texas Highway Program
THC Programs Supporting Cultural Landscape Goal
More Information and Resources
- THC's Cultural Landscapes Page
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation
- Preservation Brief 36: Protecting Cultural Landscapes
- Historic Landscape Initiative
- Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation
- Historic Landscapes, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
- Alliance for Historic Landscape Preservation
- Massachusetts' Historic Landscape Preservation Program
Goal 3: Implement Policies and Incentives
Cities, counties, the state, federal agencies and tribes implement preservation policies and incentives to effectively protect historic and cultural assets.
Statewide Outcomes
- Newly adopted master plans include preservation policy
- 50 more restored historic courthouses
- Increased community involvement and utilization of Section 106
- Main Street cities are Certified Local Governments
THC Programs Supporting Goal
- Certified Local Government Program
- State Antiquities Landmarks
- Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks
- Project Review including Tribal Consultation Guidelines
- Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation
- Preservation Tax Incentives
Resources and More Information
- The THC website details information on federal and state rules and regulations, as well as the Certified Local Government Program that supports local historic preservation programs.
- The National Trust’s Understanding Preservation Law is a user-friendly yet comprehensive discussion of preservation law at the federal, state and local level.
- National Alliance of Preservation Commissions provides information and training to local preservation commissions.
Goal 4: Leverage Economic Development Tools for Preservation
Communities leverage preservation-based and traditional economic development tools to revitalize historic areas.
Statewide Outcomes
- Increased % of economic development tools being used for historic preservation
- Historic preservation is proven conclusively and promoted as an economic engine
- Increased visitation statewide at historic sites
THC Programs Supporting Goal
- Texas Main Street Program
- Texas Heritage Trails Program
- Heritage Tourism Program
- THC's State Historic Sites
- Texas Treasure Business Award
More Information and Resources
- Funding and Assistance for Preservation Projects Handout
- Texas Economic Development Handbook (2008)
- Statewide Plan Issue Preservation-Based Economic Development
- Save America's Treasures--The Numbers (Measures the impact of this program on job creation)
- In Hard Times It's Time For Renovation and Preservation
- National Trust's: Preservation = Jobs
- National Trust's: Community Revitalization
- Historic Preservation at Work for the Texas Economy
Goal 5: Learn and Experience History through Place
Texas residents and guests of all ages learn and experience the state’s diverse history through formal education, recreation, and everyday interactions with historic places.
Statewide Outcomes
- 4th and 7th grade kids learn community/regional culturally inclusive history through place
- Adults within a community learn local history and value of preservation
- Increased visitation at historic sites statewide
- Increased participation of underrepresented people in historic preservation
THC Programs Supporting Goal
- Texas Heritage Trails Program
- Heritage Tourism Program
- THC State Historic Sites
- Museum Services
- Texas Archeology Month
- THC Educator Materials
- Texas Archeology in the Classroom: A Unit for Teachers
More Information and Resources
- Youth and Historic Preservation, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
- Service Learning & Historic Preservation
- Heritage Education, National Council for Preservation Technology & Training
- National Council for Preservation Education
Web Resources for Teaching Texas History
Texas Beyond History: This site is a public education service of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at the University of Texas with information and resources to help you “teach about the past in Texas, using archeology as a lens for discovery.” Check out the “Teacher” section for lesson plans for both elementary and secondary grades based on Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), as well as the “Kids” section for games, facts and links.
Texas Heritage Online: Check out the links under “Resources,” where you will find all kinds of games, activities, lesson plans and other resources made available by institutions across the state.
Teaching Texas: Spearheaded by the Texas State Historical Association, this site focuses on nine types of resources (including programming and exhibits at historic sites and museums) for 4th and 7th grade teachers and students, all aligned with the appropriate curriculum standards and TEKs.
The Portal to Texas History: The University of North Texas has amassed a huge collection of digital resources. Using the resources, they’ve put together all sorts of tools for teachers, which you can find in the Resources 4 Educators section.
Goal 6: Connect Preservation to Related Fields
We connect and integrate preservation into related fields and activities, building a broader, stronger, and more diverse community.
Related fields include, but are not limited to, archeology, anthropology, geography, architecture, environmental conservation, planning, economic development, tourism, education, museums, and genealogy.
Statewide Outcomes
- Historic preservation is a core strategy in sustainability and green building practices
- Preservation is a topic at non-preservation conferences/events/trainings
- Resources and training provided to real estate professionals
More Information and Resources
- Museum Services
- Regional Archeology
- Marine Archeology
- Military History
- THC’s Historic Preservation and Sustainability
Goal 7: Cultivate Political Commitment
We cultivate political commitment for historic preservation at the state and local level.
Statewide Outcomes
- Establish Preservation Caucus in Texas Legislature
- Increased opportunities for effective engagement with political leadership at the state level
- Legislature supports preservation programs and projects
THC Programs Supporting Goal
County Historical Commission Outreach
Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program
Texas Courthouse Stewardship
Texas Main Street Program
Certified Local Government Program
More Information and Resources
- Preservation Texas Advocacy Program
- Preservation Action’s Action Center
- Ideas for Working with Elected Officials: National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers
Goal 8: Build Capacity of Preservation Community
The existing preservation community develops its organizational capacity to strengthen and expand preservation skills.
Statewide Outcomes
- Effective County Historical Commission (CHC) in every county
- Information clearinghouse developed for historic homeowners
- Increased training opportunities for local/regional preservation advocacy non-profits
- Larger % of preservation organizations/projects securing funding and resources
THC Programs Supporting Goal