Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025
(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:
(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.
