| (a) Criteria. The addition of new Historic Sites will
follow the "State Historic Sites Historic Properties Collection Plan"
in a three-step process as posted on the Texas Historical Commission's
(Commission) website at thc.texas.gov detailing themes and subthemes
in Texas history, site assessment, operational and managerial evaluations
processes and the following criteria:
(1) The property must have recognized statewide or
national significance based on the standards of the National Register
of Historic Places.
(2) The property should be able to provide interpretation
of a significant theme or event of Texas history that is not fully
represented by the Commission's existing historic sites or other historic
sites accessible to the public. The Commission will strive to maintain
a geographic, cultural and thematic balance in its program.
(3) The property should have exceptional integrity
of location (including surrounding environment), design, material,
setting, feeling, and association.
(4) The property should have appropriate collections
(objects, manuscript material, artifacts) associated with the historic
site or necessary artifacts related to the site's history and period
of significance should be identified and available.
(5) The property must be appropriate for use as an
interpretive museum or historic site, have high potential to attract
and accommodate diverse and new audiences, and be accessible to travelers
as well as to the local community.
(6) The property must be available without restrictions
that would limit the Commission's options for preservation and interpretation
as a historic site (for example, a life estate retained by the grantor,
restrictions against future sale or conveyance, or limits on alterations
deemed appropriate by the Commission). The Commission encourages the
use of easements or other restrictions to ensure the preservation
of historic sites.
(7) Financial resources must be available or assured,
including an endowment fund where appropriate, or sources of funding
must be identified in a comprehensive funding plan to ensure the restoration,
interpretation, development, long term operation and preservation
of the site.
(8) The property must have the potential for strong
supporting partnerships including community support.
(b) Evaluation Process. To evaluate the site against
these criteria, the Commission will follow a three-step process as
follows.
(1) In phase one, staff will determine if the property
should be recommended to be added to the Commission's portfolio of
State Historic Sites. The preliminary evaluation will briefly address
the following issues:
(A) Where is the property located?
(B) What is the current condition of the property?
(C) What improvements would need to be made to meet
THC standards for visitor access, experience, and safety?
(D) What is the importance of the property in Texas
and/or American History?
(E) What is the estimation of the property's value,
strategically, operationally and culturally?
(F) Are there resources such as artifact collections
or endowment that accompany the property?
(G) Are there resources available to adequately interpret
the property's themes and stories to the public?
(H) Are the necessary resources available to preserve
and care for the property's physical infrastructure and collections?
(I) Does THC have the financial and FTE resources to
operate the property?
(J) What is the property's potential for the generation
of sustainable visitation and revenue?
(2) Phase 2. If the property is recommended for additional
study, a staff committee will be assigned to conduct a preliminary
review of the property with reference to criteria noted in subsection
(a) of this section. The committee will make a recommendation to the
Commission whether to proceed with the development of a historic site
management plan in phase three of the evaluation process.
(3) Staff will obtain and use the following information
in phase two:
(A) A description of the property, including land,
structures and other features.
(B) A preliminary inventory of collections and equipment.
(C) A statement of significance or reference to its
designation on the National Register of Historic Places/National Historic
Landmark and an evaluation of the site's integrity.
(D) A statement from the current owner indicating a
willingness to transfer the real and relevant personal property and
the terms and conditions for such a transfer.
(E) Needed and available funding for development costs
and continuing operational costs.
(F) Letters of support from interested parties, including
an indication of willingness to create an appropriate support group.
(G) A statement identifying how the property would
support the educational mission of the Historic Sites Program to serve
a broad and diverse audience.
(H) A preliminary estimate of the visitation and costs
for development and operation of the site.
(4) Phase 3. Upon positive action by the Commission
on the recommendation noted in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the
staff will prepare or have prepared a management plan in phase three
for the site's evaluation including:
(A) Evaluation of the site, including but not limited
to buildings, support facilities, infrastructure (including roads,
trails, utility service/water and sewer systems), landscape features,
and collections.
(B) Required staffing and services for operation of
the site, including ongoing costs of preservation, operation, maintenance
and marketing.
(C) Preservation and facility development needs.
(D) Costs and timeline for making the property available
to the public.
(E) Required staffing and consultant services for development
of the site.
(F) Projected audience/annual visitation, sources of
funding to support programming including community partnerships, potential
earned revenue, philanthropic and endowment.
(5) The management plan will be reviewed by a panel
of experts including an independent Texas historian, museum professional,
and expert in heritage tourism and their recommendation will be taken
into consideration by the Commission to determine whether the property
should be accepted.
(6) The decision to accept a site is within the sole
discretion of the Commission, including determining whether acceptance
of a property that meets all technical criteria is in the best interest
of the State.
(c) A property that is adjacent to an existing THC
State Historic Site that will enhance the preservation, protection
or interpretation of the existing site, or a property that is needed
to support the operations of the state historic site as a program
support facility, may be acquired by purchase or donation by action
of the Commission on recommendation of the Executive Director, without
the evaluation process described in subsection (b) of this section.
(d) A right of way or easement required to allow for
installation or connection of necessary utilities at a THC State Historic
Site between regular meetings of the Commission may be approved by
the Executive Director with the approval of the Chairman. This action
will be ratified at the next meeting of the Commission.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §16.3 adopted to be effective August 25, 2008, 33 TexReg 6810; amended to be effective August 31, 2010, 35 TexReg 7727; amended to be effective December 31, 2013, 38 TexReg 9499; amended to be effective January 2, 2018, 42 TexReg 7682; amended to be effective November 22, 2020, 45 TexReg 8127 |
