THC Launches Round V of Courthouse Preservation Program

With a $62 million appropriation from the Texas Legislature, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) is ready to move into Round V of its Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. The award-winning program was established in 1999 to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of the largest collection of historic county courthouses of any state in the nation. Many serve as outstanding examples of craftsmanship and were designed by some of America’s most noted architects including J. Riely Gordon, Alfred Giles and Eugene Heiner.
The Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program was established in 1999 by then-Gov. George W. Bush and the Texas Legislature to restore Texas’ county courthouses to their original splendor and make them safe, functional, and a source of pride for Texas communities. The THC created and administers the $207 million program.
“Texas has the most successful historic courthouse restoration program in the nation,” said THC Executive Director Larry Oaks. “It is imperative we build on the strong foundation we have laid in preserving these treasured landmarks for generations to come. We appreciate the Legislature’s and citizen’s support in reaching this important goal.”
The THC anticipates receiving approximately 80 applications by the Nov. 19 deadline. Awards will be announced in January 2008.
Applications are scored on a point system, with points given for different categories such as age, building condition, and a county’s preservation commitment.
The THC’s Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program provides partial matching grants to Texas counties for restoration of their historic county courthouses. Since its inception, the program has been awarded $145 million in grant funds by the state, and local governments have matched this with more than $62 million. Courthouse restorations have generated more than 4,600 jobs throughout Texas, more than $130 million in local income, and more than $177 million in gross state product. To date, the THC has restored 37 courthouses in all regions of the state through the program.
The program has recently received a grant from the Texas Land Title Association to establish a series of stewardship workshops that will provide individual training to ensure the structures are maintained, preserved, and do not fall back into disrepair.
For more information regarding the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, contact the THC’s Architecture Division at 512-463-6094 or visit www.thc.state.tx.us.