Title:
Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program records
Description:
The Architecture Division of the Texas Historical Commission works to preserve and protect Texas' diverse architectural heritage by monitoring historical landmarks, awarding preservation grant funds for restoration work on historical structures, and offering advice and technical consultation for the restoration of or changes made to the state's architectural resources. Records are master plans, architectural drawings, specifications, project manuals, and project completion reports documenting renovation and preservation work on courthouses, using grant money funded to the counties through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. Records are dated 1992, 1999-2017. Master plans typically include a history of the building, copies of historic photos and architectural drawings, a thorough evaluation of existing conditions and a plan for the future, with an estimated budget for all the proposed work. At the conclusion of the project, the county (or its contractors) prepares a grant completion report for the Historical Commission, which usually includes photos of the work done; some also contain images of the courthouse before work was undertaken. Project manuals are also present for a number of restoration projects, typically detailing architectural, electrical, and mechanical work. The files document the renovation proposals and restoration for 126 county courthouse projects.
Collection:
Texas Historical Commission Architecture Division records
Creator:
Texas Historical Commission. Architecture Division
Date range of creation:
1992 to 2017
Citation information:
(Identify the item), Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program records, Texas Historical Commission Architecture Division records. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Arrangement:
These records were arranged alphabetically by county, then chronologically (which often corresponds with record type): Master plans, architectural drawings, specifications, project manuals, and completion reports.
Copyright information:
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).
Access restrictions:
Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to: certain email addresses (Texas Government Code, Section 552.137), an archivist must review these records before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 552). Refer to the overall restriction statement for instructions on requesting access through the Texas Attorney General.
Size or duration:
90.94 cubic ft. and 70.9 GB (44,241 files)
TARO URL:
https://txarchives.org/tslac/finding_aids/20110.xml
Technical requirements:
Certain electronic record file formats (.cr2, AutoCAD) require specific software not available at the State Archives. Researchers are expected to obtain the proper software needed if requesting these original file formats. Access copies of certain electronic file formats will be provided for public use when available.