Vision and Goals

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

  1. Increase in historic and cultural resources surveyed statewide by 2020
  2. Functioning map-based web database that links all surveys and inventories (all state agencies, local inventories, National Register eligibility determinations, etc.)
  3. 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
  4. New THC website assists customers in locating information quickly and easily

THC Programs Supporting Survey Goal

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

  1. Statewide survey includes cultural landscapes
  2. Increased tourism partnerships and opportunities through preservation and promotion of cultural landscapes
  3. Increased preservation capacity through training and resources for local cemetery committees 
  4. Local communities participate in the Historic Texas Highway Program

THC Programs Supporting Cultural Landscape Goal

More Information and Resources

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

  1. Newly adopted master plans include preservation policy
  2. 50 more restored historic courthouses
  3. Increased community involvement and utilization of Section 106
  4. Main Street cities are Certified Local Governments

THC Programs Supporting Goal

Resources and More Information

Goal 4: Leverage Economic Development Tools for Preservation

Communities leverage preservation-based and traditional economic development tools to revitalize historic areas.

Statewide Outcomes

  1. Increased % of economic development tools being used for historic preservation
  2. Historic preservation is proven conclusively and promoted as an economic engine
  3. Increased visitation statewide at historic sites

THC Programs Supporting Goal

More Information and Resources

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

  1. 4th and 7th grade kids learn community/regional culturally inclusive history through place
  2. Adults within a community learn local history and value of preservation
  3. Increased visitation at historic sites statewide
  4. Increased participation of underrepresented people in historic preservation

THC Programs Supporting Goal

More Information and Resources

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

  1. Historic preservation is a core strategy in sustainability and green building practices
  2. Preservation is a topic at non-preservation conferences/events/trainings
  3. Resources and training provided to real estate professionals

More Information and Resources

Goal 7: Cultivate Political Commitment

We cultivate political commitment for historic preservation at the state and local level.

Statewide Outcomes

  1. Establish Preservation Caucus in Texas Legislature
  2. Increased opportunities for effective engagement with political leadership at the state level
  3. 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

Goal 8: Build Capacity of Preservation Community

The existing preservation community develops its organizational capacity to strengthen and expand preservation skills.

Statewide Outcomes

  1. Effective County Historical Commission (CHC) in every county
  2. Information clearinghouse developed for historic homeowners
  3. Increased training opportunities for local/regional preservation advocacy non-profits
  4. Larger % of preservation organizations/projects securing funding and resources

THC Programs Supporting Goal