(a) The commission adopts the following criteria governing evaluation for approval
or rejection of applications for Official Texas Historical Markers,
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs), or Historic Texas Cemetery
designations.
(1) Age: Structures eligible for the RTHL designation
and marker must be at least 50 years old. Older structures may be
awarded additional weight in evaluation and scoring.
(2) Historical significance/Architectural Significance:
The Texas Historical Commission's Division of Architecture evaluates
applications for RTHL designations, which are awarded to properties
which demonstrate architectural and historical significance and architectural
and historical integrity. Architectural significance alone is not
enough to qualify a structure for the RTHL designation. It must have
an equally significant historical association, and that association
can come from an event that occurred at the site; through individuals
who owned or lived on the property; or, in the case of bridges, industrial
plants, schoolhouses and other non-residential properties, through
documented significance to the larger community. Structures deemed
architecturally significant are outstanding examples of architectural
history through design, materials, structural type or construction
methods. In all cases, eligible architectural properties must display
integrity; that is, the structure should be in a good state of repair,
maintain its appearance from its period of significance and be considered
an exemplary model of preservation. Architectural significance is
often best determined by the relevance of the property to broader
contexts, including geography. Any changes over the years should be
compatible with original design and reflect compliance with accepted
preservation practices, e.g., the Secretary
of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
(3) State of repair/Integrity: Structures not considered
by the commission to be in a good state of repair are not eligible
for RTHL designation. The commission reserves the sole right to make
that determination relative to eligibility for RTHL markers. Subject
marker topics placed at the appropriate site help maintain site integrity.
Topics properly documented and understood by the public also help
maintain a high degree of integrity.
(4) Diversity of topic for addressing gaps in historical
marker program. This criterion addresses the extent to which topic
relates to an aspect or area of Texas history that has not been well
represented by the marker program.
(5) Value of topic as an undertold or untold aspect
of Texas history. This criterion addresses the extent to which topic
addresses undertold facets of Texas history and increases the diversity
of history and cultures interpreted through the marker program.
(6) Endangerment level of property, site or topic.
This criterion addresses the extent to which the property (RTHLs),
site or story is in danger of being lost if its history and significance
are not documented through the marker program.
(7) Available documentation and resources. This criterion
addresses the quality and balance of the research and documentation
for the application.
(8) Diversity among this group of candidates. This
criterion addresses the extent to which this topic represents an undertold
story of Texas history among the applications received during that
year's marker cycle.
(9) Relevance to other commission programs. This criterion
addresses the extent to which the topic coordinates with other significant
programs and initiatives of the agency.
(10) Relevance to the commission's current thematic
priorities. This criterion addresses the extent to which the topic
coordinates with the thematic priorities set by the commission each
year (varies by year).
(b) Applications and topics with
exceptional significance directly address established statewide
themes, promote undertold stories of Texas history and have exceptional
ability to educate the public on aspects of Texas history not fully
addressed by the marker program. Applications and topics with high significance address statewide themes,
promote undertold stories of Texas history and have some ability to
educate the public on aspects of Texas history not fully addressed
by the marker program. Applications and topics that meet requirements have been found to fulfill
the basic application requirements and guidelines, relate to statewide
themes but do not necessarily directly address topics that have not
been widely addressed by the marker program. Applications and topics
deemed not eligible do not relate
to statewide themes and/or do not meet the basic program application
requirements and guidelines. All markers must relate to the statewide
themes established by the commission. These themes are available on
the commission's web site at www.thc.texas.gov. From time to time
the commission may establish thematic priorities for the marker program.
Additional points will be awarded to projects falling within these
priorities.
(c) The scoring system for ranking applications is
as follows:
(1) Age - 5 pts. max;
(2) Historical Significance/Architectural Significance
- 10 pts. max;
(3) State of Repair/Integrity - 10 pts. max;
(4) Diversity of topic for addressing gaps in historical
marker program - 10 pts. max;
(5) Value of topic as an undertold or untold aspect
of Texas history - 15 pts. max;
(6) Endangerment level of property, site or topic -
10 pts. max;
(7) Available documentation and resources - 10 pts.
max;
(8) Diversity among this group of candidates - 10 pts.
max;
(9) Relevance to other commission programs - 5 pts.
max; and
(10) Relevance to the commission's current thematic
priorities - 15 pts. max.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §21.9 adopted to be effective August 28, 2003, 28 TexReg 6814; amended to be effective May 18, 2009, 34 TexReg 2949; amended to be effective December 5, 2012, 37 TexReg 2949; amended to be effective January 2, 2018, 42 TexReg 7684; amended to be effective August 23, 2018, 43 TexReg 5361 |