Purpose
The purpose of the Washington County Historical Commission is:
- To initiate and conduct programs for the preservation of the historical heritage of Washington County.
- To locate historical buildings and sites and obtain historical markers.
- To work with other persons, groups, organizations and agencies to preserve the history and heritage of Washington County and Texas.
Historical commission members are appointed by the Washington County Commissioners Court.
Officers & Committee Chairmen
Chairman: Thomas G. Stevens
Vice Chairman: Steph Jarvis
Treasurer: Beth Rothermel
Secretary: Beth Rothermel
Political Liaison: Don Koester
Blacksmith Project: David Lancaster
Gone To Texas: Linda Jurecka
History In the Classroom: Brad Nies
Historical Markers (Interim): Steph Jarvis
Historic Cemeteries: Dr. Michael Schlabach
Historic Buildings: Steph Jarvis
Undertold Stories: Cheryl Dabera & Tina Henderson
Online Presence
As of 2024, the commission has a Facebook page to share more content and information about historical offerings in our county and beyond.
Other Contact information
Mailing Address:
Washington County Historical Commission
PO Box 297
Chappell Hill, TX 77426
Meetings
The Washington County Historical Commission meets for a minimum of four meetings
per year. At this time, the meetings are held quarterly on the second Tuesday of the month at
the Courthouse Annex. All meetings are open to the public.
Projects
- The commission conducted a "Gone to Texas" Youth History Camp for 30 children, ages 9-11, this past summer. It was a great success and is intended to be an annual event. The pictures (above) are from the camp.
- On Thursday, December 1, 2021, the Washington County Historical Commission dedicated a Texas Historical Marker honoring the site of the 1838 Methodist Church at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Those in the photo are Site Superintendent Jon Failor, Methodist. Historian Bill Hardt, and Tom Stevens, Commission Chairman.
- We partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County and the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site to present an annual Gone to Texas Youth History Camp. This project brings thirty children from the Boys and Girls Club to the San Felipe and Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Sites for a four-day Texas History Camp.
- We are conducting a long-term survey of the 500+ historical markers in Washington County.
- We are conducting a program to inspect all National Register properties in the county and offer our assistance with the historic preservation of these important parts of our local history.
- We partner with the Blinn College Theater Arts Department to bring historical presentations to schools and the community through "History in the Classroom."
- The commission is assisting historic businesses in Washington County to obtain a Texas Treasure Business Award. To date, two awards have been granted to county businesses.
- We have an active interest in our county cemeteries and work to assist in obtaining both 'Texas Historic Cemetery' status for them, as well as evaluating and approving applications for Texas Historical Markers.
- The commission is attempting to identify “Under Told” Stories in Washington County.
- We partnered with the Chappell Hill Historical Society to recreate a 19th century blacksmith shop on the grounds of the Chappell Hill Museum. Much progress has been made from 2022-2024 on this project and the creation of a permanent Blacksmith Exhibit which includes 1) Tools & equipment 2) Log cabin 3) Farm wagon 4) Wagon barn and 5) Seating/viewing area.
- The commission continues to assist with and facilitate historical marker applications. Markers awarded in 2024 included the site of Pickard High School and the site of Sam Houston's Speech given March 31,1861.
Deadlines
Annually the Commission accepts historical marker applications March 1st to early May for subject, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, and Historic Texas Cemetery applications. Undertold Marker applications are accepted annually from October 1st to November 15th. Please contact the historical marker chair as soon as possible for more information and an application form. You may also visit the Texas Historical Commission website for more information.
Awards
Important info for property owners of historic properties
Historical Markers: Since there are 190+ Texas historical markers in Washington County, we wanted to share some important information about the ownership and removal of markers for all property owners and potential property owners.
"All Official Texas Historical Markers are the property of the State of Texas and may be recalled by the [Texas Historical] commission." Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapter 21, Subchapter B, Rule 21.10.
For possible removal of any official Texas historical marker (or monument), a request must be submitted to the Texas Historical Commission. Requests for removal of a historical marker or monument shall include:
(1) the name and contact information for the requesting individual, group, or CHC;
(2) the name and location of the marker or monument for which removal is requested;
(3) justification for removal of the marker or monument;
(4) narrative history and photographs of the marker or monument;
(5) written owner consent for removal from the landowner for sites not located on state land;
(6) a plan explaining how the marker or monument will be removed in such a way as to protect its condition and be delivered to a location approved by the Commission; and
(7) For RTHLs only, notification of any proposed work sufficient to meet the requirements of §21.11 of this title (relating to Review of Work on Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks). Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapter 21, Subchapter B, Rule 21.13.
Link to the Texas Administrative Code and section on historical markers.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks: As of 2022, there were 54 Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs) in Washington County. Each of these properties received that designation after having met several conditions: Historical value, architectural importance, historic integrity intact, and is at least 50 years of age. At the time of designation, the property owner was able to decide if the designation was to apply to the entire property or to specific buildings. The designation runs with the land and remains in effect under all future property owners. To read entire code go to Texas Administrative Code.
Related links
Texas Historical Commission, https://www.thc.state.tx.us
Texas Historical Commission National Register FAQs, Click Here
The Handbook of Texas Online, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook
Texas Beyond History, http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/
The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu/