Texas Historical Commission facts for kids
Texas Historical Commission seal
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Texas Historical Commission logo
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1953 |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Employees | 175 |
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is a government group in Texas. Its main job is to protect and share the history of the state. They work to save old buildings, important places, and stories from the past.
The THC helps decide which places in Texas should be added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of special places across the United States. They also find and mark important Texas sites with special plaques called Official Texas Historical Markers.
The commission also finds and protects old archeological sites and historic cemeteries in Texas. They publish a magazine called The Medallion with news about history projects. They also have an online map called the Texas Historic Sites Atlas. It shows over 300,000 historic places in Texas.
The main offices of the THC are in downtown Austin. These offices are in several historic buildings. These include the Carrington-Covert House, Luther Hall, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, the Elrose Building, and the Christianson-Leberman Building.
Contents
History of the Commission
The Texas Historical Commission started in 1953. It was first called the Texas State Historical Survey Committee. The state government created it to look after Texas's history programs.
Later, the government gave the agency more power. They also changed its name to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). In 2007, the THC also took over managing 20 state historic sites. These sites were previously managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Who Works at the Commission
Today, about 200 people work for the Texas Historical Commission. The commission is led by 18 members. The governor chooses these members, and they serve for six years. They must be Texas citizens and represent all parts of the state.
The THC also hires experts in many areas. These include archeology (studying old things), architecture (designing buildings), and history. These experts help people and groups protect Texas's old buildings, archeological sites, and cultural places.
The agency has different teams that focus on specific tasks. These teams help manage all the programs the THC offers.
Texas Heritage Trails Program
The Texas Historical Commission runs a program called the Texas Heritage Trails. This program helps people explore Texas history by driving along special routes. These routes were first set up in 1968 for the World's fair in San Antonio, Texas.
The THC started its own program based on these routes in 1998. The main goal is to encourage people to visit historic places. It also helps protect these important sites.
Texas is divided into 10 heritage regions for this program:
- Texas Brazos Trail
- Texas Forest Trail
- Texas Forts Trail
- Texas Hill Country Trail
- Texas Independence Trail
- Texas Lakes Trail
- Texas Mountain Trail
- Texas Pecos Trail
- Texas Plains Trail
- Texas Tropical Trail
In 2005, the Heritage Trails Program won a special award called the Preserve America Presidential Award. This award recognized their great work in saving and using America's history.
State Historic Sites
The Texas Historical Commission takes care of 31 state historic sites across Texas. These places help people learn about Texas's past. They show what it means to be a Texan. These sites include old American Indian places, frontier forts, and homes of important leaders.
For example, Fort Griffin is one of these sites. It is home to the official State of Texas Longhorn Herd.
Historical Markers
People can apply for official historical markers through their local historical groups. These markers are signs that teach the public about important places, buildings, or events. To get a marker, an application must meet certain rules set by the THC.
In 2006, the Texas Historical Commission updated its marker program. Now, applications are sent online, and there is a yearly deadline. There is also a fee to apply.
As of 2007, there are over 13,000 Official Texas Historical Markers across the state. Texas has more historical markers than any other state in the United States.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
A Recorded Texas Historic Landmark is the highest honor given by the Texas Historical Commission for important buildings in Texas.
State Antiquities Landmark
The THC can also name certain places as State Antiquities Landmarks. These are very important historic or archeological sites. They can be historic buildings that are also on the National Register of Historic Places. Or they can be archeological sites, like old Native American villages. The exact locations of archeological sites are often kept secret to protect them from harm.
If a place is a State Antiquities Landmark, it doesn't mean it can never be changed. But, if someone wants to change or build on it, they need a special permit from the THC. This helps make sure the site's history is protected.
Headquarters Complex
The main offices of the commission are in downtown Austin. The complex includes several historic buildings. These are the Carrington-Covert House at 1511 Colorado Street, Luther Hall, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, the Elrose Building, and the Christianson-Leberman Building.
The Carrington-Covert House became the agency's main office in 1971. Gethsemane Lutheran Church was also fixed up in the early 1970s to be used as offices for the agency.
Friends of the Texas Historical Commission
The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC) is a group that helps the THC. They raise money from people and organizations. This money helps the THC identify, protect, and save Texas history for future generations.
Over the years, the FTHC has helped raise millions of dollars. This money has supported many important projects. For example, they helped with digging up the 17th-century La Belle shipwreck. They also helped restore historic Texas flags and old courthouses.
See also
In Spanish: Comisión Histórica de Texas para niños
