TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION PREPARES TO LAUNCH ROUND VIII OF ITS HISTORIC COURTHOUSE PRESERVATION PROGRAM AUSTIN, Texas––With a $4.2 million appropriation from the 83rd Texas Legislature, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) will begin accepting applications for Round VIII of its award-winning Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP). The limited funding for Round VIII grants will be focused on funding smaller courthouse projects with urgent needs, unlike the full restorations that have been undertaken in the past. The THC requested $20 million for the Round VIII grant cycle, but was appropriated only what remained in Proposition 4 bond funding. Emergency grants awarded in Round VIII will address serious building deficiencies affecting usability, structural, and safety issues in historic county courthouses. Since its inception in 1999, this nationally recognized program has distributed grant funds to fully restore 63 historic county courthouses in Texas, and an additional 20 counties have received smaller grants for emergency and planning work. The state has invested more than $250 million in this effort, and local governments have provided more than $150 million in matching funds. Through this partnership, the THCPP has revitalized local landmarks, provided them with 21st century standards, generated investment in local communities and businesses, and reinvigorated historic downtowns while promoting heritage tourism. Grant application forms will be posted on the THC website in November, and applications will be due in early 2014. For counties that have not previously participated in the program, new preservation master plans must be submitted and approved by the end of 2013. Projects will be selected in early 2014 with work to begin shortly thereafter. Applications will be scored on a point system. For more information, visit the THC website at thc.state.tx.us or contact the Architecture Division at 512.463.6094. APPLICATIONS FOR 2014 OFFICIAL TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKERS NOW BEING ACCEPTED AUSTIN, Texas–– The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is currently accepting applications for subject markers, designated Historic Texas Cemeteries (HTC), and Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs). Applications must be submitted to the appropriate county historical commission (CHC), and the deadline for CHCs to forward applications to the THC is November 15, via email, to [email protected]. RTHLs and business, industry and commerce are the thematic priorities for 2014 applications. RTHLs are properties judged to be historically and architecturally significant, and must be at least 50 years old. Topics addressing those themes will receive additional points when new applications are scored. The THC will approve up to 180 new applications; up to 20 additional markers will be approved through the Undertold Stories marker program. One of the most visible programs of the THC, historical markers commemorate diverse topics from the history and architecture of houses, commercial buildings, religious congregations, and events that changed the course of local and state history, to individuals who have made lasting contributions to Texas. There are more than 15,000 THC markers throughout the state. A new tool is now available on the THC website at thc.state.tx.us to assist the general public, preservationists, local historians, and CHCs with the marker application process. The new Marker Toolkit is a one-stop-shop providing the basic steps of applying for a marker. You may also view a webinar for more detailed marker information at www4.gotomeeting/register/782147215. To learn more about Official Texas Historical Markers, RTHLs, and HTC designations, contact the THC’s History Programs Division at 512.463.5853. TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO OFFER ONLINE ARCHEOLOGY MONTH CALENDAR AUSTIN, Texas––Texas Archeology Month (TAM) is just around the corner in October, and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) has created a system for gathering TAM event information online. The THC invites anyone hosting an archeology-related event in conjunction with TAM to submit their information to the agency using the link entitled TAM Event Form at www2.thc.state.tx.us/archeology/forms/tam.aspxThe deadline for submissions is September 23. Information submitted will be used to create an electronic TAM Calendar of Events that will be available on the THC website at the above link in late September. There will not be a printed calendar due to budget constraints. THC staff is urging contributors to use the electronic form and not send TAM event information by mail or email. The THC cosponsors TAM in association with the Texas Archeological Society and the Council of Texas Archeologists. For more information, contact the THC’s Archeology Division at 512.463.6096. GRANT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FROM THE TEXAS HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE COMMISSION BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER AUSTIN, Texas––The Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission (THGC) offers grant funds for organizations and projects that assist the THGC’s mission to support Holocaust and genocide courses of study and awareness programs. Funding is available for a variety of programs, including classroom education, workshops, oral history recordings, and memorials and exhibits. Grants are available to permanent nonprofit institutions located in Texas. Grant requests may be made in any amount up to $10,000, and require a 50 percent cash match. In-kind services may not be counted toward the match. Applications for the 2014 grant cycle will be accepted beginning September 15 through November 30, 2013. An educational exhibit on the Bosnian genocide is now traveling to eight Texas venues over the next two years. The panel exhibit is currently at the Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown. The Texas Historical Commission works closely with the THGC. For more information, contact the THGC coordinator at 512.463.8815 or visit thgc.texas.gov. thc.state.tx.us
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 22:52:35 +0000
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