A ROADMAP TO THE 2036 TEXAS BICENTENNIAL
A Strategic Vision for Preservation Texas
Overview
We are pleased to share with you our vision for Preservation Texas that is worthy of the scale and significance of our state's history, geography, diversity, and economy. Through the implementation of five Strategic Directions, Preservation Texas will develop the professional and financial resources to empower Texans to protect our cultural heritage, while we embark upon our own restoration projects statewide.
As the 2036 Texas Bicentennial approaches, there will be renewed interest in preserving our state's built and cultural history. We will lead these efforts with innovative programs, providing essential resources and services to Texans. Though the preservation field is continually evolving, we will remain focused on the protection of physical historic resources. We will advocate for expanded preservation incentives and preservation-friendly policies, create a statewide conservation easement program, and offer hands-on preservation training opportunities. Recognizing the challenges faced by local organizations, we will strengthen our capacity and support local historic sites through partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions, ensuring the sustainability of historic resources within a robust, privately-supported network of places.
This is a bold strategy, but we believe that a strong and visionary Preservation Texas is essential to meet the challenges to protect and the opportunities to share the cultural heritage of Texas.
Governing Principles
As Preservation Texas looks forward to 2036, the Board of Directors has given thoughtful consideration to our governing principles. We have made revisions to our existing charter and mission and articulated a new vision statement to reflect the broad scope of activities that Preservation Texas will pursue. Importantly, the revised charter now expressly includes advocacy for historic preservation policy, which had not been included in our original 1985 charter.
Revised Mission Statement
Preservation Texas empowers Texans to preserve their cultural heritage, and stewards significant buildings, collections, and cultural landscapes to ensure their permanent protection.
New Vision Statement
Preservation Texas undertakes highly valued and innovative historic preservation initiatives, led by its exemplary team of professional staff, and delivered through its robustly supported network of regional offices and historic properties.
Revised Organizational Purposes
To educate the general public, and all persons, organizations, and agencies active in historic preservation, on public policy, legislative, legal, and economic development issues that impact historic preservation, and to advocate in the process for proposals benefitting historic preservation goals;
To acquire, by purchase, gift, devise or bequest, with or without restriction, and to preserve, restore, maintain and present to the public those areas, sites, buildings, monuments, artifacts, artworks, books, documents, and objects which are significant in the history, prehistory, archaeology, architecture, heritage and culture of Texas;
To disseminate information about the history, prehistory, heritage and culture of Texas, and historic preservation practice and trades;
To engage in historical and archaeological research on the activities of past Texans; and
To foster, encourage and develop a general appreciation and understanding of the lives and activities of past generations of Texans in order that the lives of present and future generations may be enriched.
Five Strategic Directions
Five Strategic Directions will guide the development of Preservation Texas’s programs, operations, and fundraising activities to deepen our impact across Texas, reaching urban and rural constituencies while serving the general public and professionals alike. Each Strategic Direction is of equal priority, and the overall success of Preservation Texas depends on the simultaneous execution and implementation of all five. Yet they are broad enough to ensure that we have the flexibility to respond to unanticipated threats and new opportunities that will inevitably arise. The five strategic directions below are supported by catalytic projects. For more detail about these, click here to download the full Strategic Vision document.
Build Organizational Capacity
Vision
Preservation Texas will significantly expand our professional staff and ensure that we have the financial strength to undertake significant programs and stewardship initiatives. Our goal is to be able to meet a broad range of professional needs internally – from accounting to architecture.
Catalytic Projects
Acquire a historic property in San Marcos as a permanent state headquarters, with adequate space to accommodate a growing professional staff and serve as an anchor for the organization.
Undertake a feasibility study and launch a capital campaign.
Develop Regional Networks
Vision
All preservation is local, and Preservation Texas recognizes that we need to have professional staff positioned across the state in order to be as effective and responsive as possible. By establishing regional offices with field officers in strategic locations, our regional staff will be able to work directly with property owners, organizations, and local governments. We will also be able to tailor training programs, endangered properties advocacy, and heritage tourism initiatives to the regions and communities being served.
Catalytic Projects
Open the West Texas Heritage Center in El Paso as a model for other regions.
Establish a statewide historic preservation easement program.
Refocus the Most Endangered Places List to spotlight buildings that have already been designated as Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks or listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Develop a Master Preservationist Program.
Establish Sustainable Revenue Streams
Vision
Preservation Texas will establish sustainable revenue streams to enhance our capacity to provide meaningful programs by directly engaging in preservation planning, training, real estate acquisition and development, and retail opportunities that will expand our reach and impact. While memberships, sponsorships, and grants will remain key sources of revenue, they are not enough to support our statewide mandate. As our professional staff grows, its expertise across a range of preservation fields will be leveraged to adopt an affordable, competitive fee-for-service model.
Catalytic Projects
Establish a fund to invest in at-risk historic places.
Provide professional preservation services for an affordable fee.
Establish hands-on training programs in preservation.
Develop a range of retail products that will bring the appeal of Texas's architectural and cultural heritage to a wider audience.
Provide Public Policy Leadership
Vision
Preservation Texas plays an important role in the creation and interpretation of public policy at the local, state, and federal levels that impacts historic preservation. Preservation Texas is positioned to bring together disparate interests across the state who are united in the conviction that preservation enhances our quality of life, sustains traditional building trades, supports local economies, and protects places of beauty and significance from permanent damage and destruction.
Catalytic Projects
Support the passage of a State Historic Preservation Act.
Provide preservation law and policy training.
Serve as a clearinghouse for local preservation policy information.
Steward Historic Resources
Vision
Preservation Texas's charter has always empowered us to acquire, restore, and present historic buildings, artifacts, and documents to the public. In 2011, with the gift of Bassett Farms, we began to realize this aspect of our founders' vision. As we look toward 2036, we recognize that many volunteer-driven organizations across the state will struggle to maintain the historic buildings and collections that they have assembled over many decades. We will establish a system to identify significant historic resources to acquire from local groups for permanent stewardship to ensure that they survive.
Catalytic Projects
Prepare a Strategic Business Plan for the development of a Center for Heritage Education at Bassett Farms Conservancy.
Develop a Historic Site Affiliate Program.
Create a Center for Texana Studies in Huntsville that will serve as a leading resource for studying and interpreting the material culture and folk arts of Texas.