The Texas Historical Commission Annual Conference was held in Austin from March 31, 2011 through April 2, 2011. The new statewide plan for Texas was launched at this year’s annual conference.

Every 10 years the THC develops a Statewide Preservation Plan to set an agenda for preservation and encourage partnership connections across the state. This is an opportunity to lay a pathway, or perhaps blaze a trail, for Texans to preserve, protect, and promote our historic and cultural fabric for the betterment of our communities.  Creating this new plan has been a true collaborative process.  THC is overwhelmed and grateful for the number of individuals who have participated in the plan‘s development through survey, planning forums, and visiting the plan’s website.

This year’s conference included activities - tours, sessions, and workshops - mirror goals and outcomes within the Statewide Preservation Plan. We covered ways to implement these ideas into communities, build knowledge and provide hands-on instruction to accomplish Goal 1 of the plan, Survey and Inventory.  Blanco completed our survey and inventory in 2009.

Teaching History through Place inspired ways to engage and educate youth, furthering Goal 5, Learn and Experience History through Place. Securing Financial Resources workshop contributed to Goal 8, Building Capacity of the Preservation Community. There was something for everyone in this years conference.

To encourage individual’s connection to the Statewide Preservation Plan for Texas, the conference provided:

• Demonstration on how to navigate the plan online and how to submit local case studies to the website.

• A Statewide Preservation Plan Salon to meet session presenters and delve deeper into conference content.

They made it easy to connect with and use the plan. Its website is a dynamic place to discuss, learn and collaborate as we work toward the plan goals together. It is a tool initiated by the THC but built by Texans, who populate the site with information, best practices, case studies, local applications, and partner profiles. Each page on this site has a discussion and comment section to share our ideas, question, projects, and dreams.

Explore the plan at www.texasplan.wordpress.com and join the Blanco Historic Preservation Commission and become a part of shaping the future of preservation in Texas.  

I attended the Austin
Reel Ride Tour, Preservation on a Budget - Making the Most of  Resources, Introduction to Section 106 and Securing Financial Resources for Your Non-Profit.  They were all packed full of information for Blanco.

The Blanco Historic Preservation Commission need volunteers and new members to help us with all of the projects that are now being worked on and to put all of the new information to work for Blanco.

Please attend our regular commission meetings on the last  Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Byars Building.  

In April, our regular meeting will be held on April 25, 2011, at 5:15pm at the Byars Building. Following the regular meeting, Sue Ann Pemberton with Mainstreet Architects will hold the final Public Meeting for Design Guidelines.

We hope to see you all there.