CHC Orientation—Part 2

CHC Structural Overview

Secretary Treasurer

Executive Committee

County Chair

Markers Committee

Publicity Committee

Budget Committee

Cemetery Committee

County Judge & Commissioners Court

Vice Chair

The committees listed below are traditional examples; a CHC’s committees should reflect the work that it pursues.

County Historical Commission Projects

Positive work performed by CHCs:• Support THC programs and initiatives• Respond to THC inquiries• Partner locally and regionally• Pursue preservation education opportunities• Expend time, money and effort• Leave a positive impression on those whom they serve

The following slides highlight past projects to illustrate the type of work that CHCs across the state pursue.

CHC Programs and Projects

Brown CHC has written and sells a book on historic driving tours of the county. They have a program that offers genealogy services for a fee. They have 4 museum committees.

Comanche CHC published a county history book in 2008. They partner with county and city officials, as well as, local preservation and veteran groups.

Erath CHC partners well with local organizations and local historians. They keep inventories of historical markers, museums, and designated properties.

Cameron CHC partners to provide community preservation education events

Galveston CHC partners with local organizations to encourage participation in marker and designation programs

Kerr CHC partners with Schreiner University to care for archives & artifacts

Palo Pinto CHC participate in a wide variety of projects even on a low budget. They haveprinted a numberof county historybooks and helpoperate the countymuseum.

CHC Programs and Projects

CHC Programs and Projects

Taylor CHC oversees county archives at the courthouse and provides research assistance to the public. They are active in the historical marker program and have provided tours using marker locations.

Tom Green CHC meets with other organizations to plan and organize preservation efforts; typically they plan 1 to 1-1/2 years out. They specialize in celebrating history in a way that promotes community identity.

These projects and accomplishments were collected from past CHC annual reports.We use annual reporting information to help other CHCs learn what can be accomplished.

THC’s Vision for CHCs across Texas

• Acknowledged as an effective arm of county government

• Have positioned themselves as preservation resources and advocates

• Attend to preservation through identification, interpretation and protection of historical and cultural resources

• Use a cooperative communication network

• Use statewide preservation goalsto guide their local planning

End of Part 2