Biennial Report to the 83rd Texas Legislature: Texas Historical Commission Page: 1
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LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friends,
The past biennium brought historic change to the Texas Historical Commission
(THC). Despite significant losses-including a budget reduction of nearly 50 percent
and elimination of 47 employees-we continued our efforts to maintain our mission
to preserve and protect Texas' distinctive heritage. In the process, we also helped
improve the state's economy.
The total economic impact of historic preservation in Texas is more than $1.7 billion
annually. This impact results in more than 40,000 jobs, $890 million in income, $1.4
billion in gross state product, and $445 million in state and local taxes every year.
The 20 historic sites the THC owns and operates are important economic engines,
especially in rural communities. They attract more non-residents, who spend more
money, and create income and jobs for Texans. More than a quarter of a million
people visited the THC's historic sites last year. This represents a 40 percent
increase since 2009. Based on statistics from the Office of the Governor, total direct
travel spending during the past biennium was approximately $120 billion. Other
studies reveal that a significant number of that total-nearly $12 billion-was spent
on heritage travel.
In the past two years, our agency helped maintain Texas' special sense of place by
identifying and protecting the real places and real stories that are uniquely Texan.
One way this is being accomplished is through our Texas Historic Courthouse
Preservation Program. The program has invested $247 million in our state's landmark
courthouses at an average rate of more than $20 million each legislative session.
Significantly, each courthouse restoration project has employed a Texas-based general
contractor. Construction and other activity related to the program has created more
than 9,600 jobs, generating more than $269 million in local income throughout Texas.
Texans are fortunate to have an enduring cultural legacy and a distinctive history
like no other state. We look forward to the coming biennium and the opportunities
it brings for us to protect and preserve the Lone Star State's unique heritage for the
benefit of future generations.
Sincerely,
Mark Wolfe, execut director
Texas Historical Commission*
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CONTENTS
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3llI-TRODUCTION
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4,' ' P' 1 r14 Arche olgy
8 community Heritage
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12 Architecture~l
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Texas Historical Commission. Biennial Report to the 83rd Texas Legislature: Texas Historical Commission, report, 201X; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth326724/m1/3/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.