Self-Evaluation Report Texas Historical Commission Self-Evaluation Report August 2005 August 2005 1 Sunset Advisory Commission Self-Evaluation Report TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Agency Contact Information.............................................................................................................. 3 II. Key Functions and Performance........................................................................................................ 3 III. History and Major Events .................................................................................................................. 14 IV. Policymaking Structure...................................................................................................................... 18 V. Funding .............................................................................................................................................. 24 VI. Organization....................................................................................................................................... 31 VII. Guide to Agency Programs................................................................................................................ 33 Archeology Division.......................................................................................................................... 33 Architecture Division......................................................................................................................... 43 Community Heritage Development Division .................................................................................... 54 History Programs Division ................................................................................................................ 63 Texas Preservation Trust Fund .......................................................................................................... 74 Indirect Administration...................................................................................................................... 78 VIII. Statutory Authority and Recent Legislation ...................................................................................... 84 IX. Policy Issues...................................................................................................................................... 87 X. Other Contacts................................................................................................................................... 95 XI. Additional Information ...................................................................................................................... 97 Complaint Data............................................................................................................................ 97 HUB Data.................................................................................................................................... 98 EEO Data..................................................................................................................................... 100 XII. Agency Comments............................................................................................................................. 103 Sunset Advisory Commission 2 August 2005 Self-Evaluation Report Texas Historical Commission Self-Evaluation Report I. Agency Contact Information Texas Historical Commission Exhibit 1: Agency Contacts Telephone & Name Address E-mail Address Fax Numbers Agency Head F. Lawerence Oaks P.O. Box 12276 512/463-6100 [email protected] Executive Director Austin, Texas 78711 Fax 512/463-8222 Agency’s Sunset Tracey Silverman P.O. Box 12276 512/463-6323 [email protected] Liaison Agency Planner Austin, Texas 78711 Fax 512/463-8222 II. Key Functions and Performance Provide the following information about the overall operations of your agency. More detailed information about individual programs will be requested in a later section. A. Provide an overview of your agency’s mission, objectives, and key functions. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation. Our mission is to protect and preserve the state’s unique historic and prehistoric resources for the use, education, enjoyment and economic benefit of present and future generations. Professional staff members consult with citizens and organizations to preserve Texas' architectural, archeological and cultural landmarks. The THC also serves as the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as required by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. The THC follows the guiding principle that historic preservation is important to the quality of life and economic well-being of every Texan and that these benefits should be accessible to all. We work to empower local organizations and the public to understand and use available preservation tools. From revitalizing downtowns and restoring courthouses to discovering historic shipwrecks, the THC has a lasting role in creating economic opportunities for communities, promoting an appreciation for history and educating people of every age. In 2001, the THC published Preserving Our Heritage: A Statewide Plan for Texas, a comprehensive road map for preservation efforts throughout the state. This statewide plan is a 10 year planning document that describes the cultural and historic fabric of the state, defines critical challenges facing preservation across Texas, develops a long-term vision for preservation, and identifies five key goals to guide activities of the THC and preservationists throughout the state. These five goals serve as the THC’s overarching objectives and direct our key functions: August 2005 3 Sunset Advisory Commission Self-Evaluation Report 1. Resource Identification, Preservation and Interpretation: Expand efforts to identify, preserve and interpret historic and archeological resources. 2. Leadership/Teambuilding: Develop and sustain exceptional leadership qualities in both public and private preservation organizations in the State of Texas. 3. Vision/Planning: Advocate a preservation vision at state, regional and local levels. 4. Education/Awareness: Create statewide awareness, appreciation and effective utilization of historic preservation. 5. Resource Development: Develop and secure fiscal and human resources to accomplish preservation in Texas. The THC’s key functions closely match how we organize our internal structure and deliver services, as well as our strategies outlined in the Strategic Plan required by the state. These key functions are: • Archeological Heritage Protection: Protects Texas’ diverse archeological heritage through state and federally mandated cultural resource reviews, historic property management programs, volunteer efforts and public outreach. This function is managed by the Archeology Division. • Architectural Assistance: Protects Texas’ diverse architectural heritage by providing technical assistance for the responsible rehabilitation and preservation of properties. This function is managed by the Architecture Division. • Courthouse Preservation: Provides financial and technical assistance through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program for critical county courthouse preservation projects. THCPP is managed under the Architecture Division and for the purposes of this report is described under that section. • Development Assistance: Provides technical assistance to public, private and nonprofit entities to encourage the process of preservation, development and revitalization of Main Street cities, promotion and development of heritage tourism and other local and regional heritage initiatives. This function is managed by the Community Heritage Development Division. • Evaluate and Interpret Resources: Provides information, programs and services to private, public and nonprofit constituents for the identification, evaluation, preservation and interpretation of historic resources. This function is managed by the History Programs Division. • Texas Preservation Trust Fund: Provides financial assistance through this fund for critical preservation projects. • Indirect Administration: Serves the entire agency and preservation public through effective leadership, planning and management; marketing and outreach; and staff services. This function is managed by Administration, Marketing Communications and Staff Services Divisions. Sunset Advisory Commission 4 August 2005 Self-Evaluation Report B. Do each of your key functions continue to serve a clear and ongoing objective? Explain why each of these functions is still needed. What harm would come from no longer performing these functions? The THC’s key functions continue to serve a clear and ongoing objective. Whether they be mandated by federal and state legislation, or have proven economic benefits to communities throughout the state, our functions are equally pertinent today as when they were created. All of the agency’s key functions advance the primary goal of identifying, preserving and interpreting historic and archeological resources. As mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended, the THC as the SHPO is required to: • Survey and inventory historic resources • Nominate significant historic resources to the National Register of Historic Places • Identify and mitigate resources potentially affected by federally controlled projects (Section 106) • Facilitate the Historic Preservation Tax Incentive program • Foster historic preservation programs at the local level • Prepare and implement