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Washington County Historical Commission

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
Historical Markers (Interim):  Steph Jarvis
Historic Cemeteries:  Dr. Michael Schlabach
Historic Buildings:  Steph Jarvis

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.

Recent 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. 

Current projects

  • The commission is partnering 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 are partnering with Blinn College in a project entitled “History in the Classroom,” which provides to fourth grade students at Burton Elementary School a presentation by Blinn College Drama students portraying real people who influenced Texas history.
  • The commission is assisting historic businesses in Washington County to obtain a Texas Treasure Business Award.
  • We are taking steps to protect the Historic Cemetery at Washington.
  • The commission is attempting to identify “Under Told” Stories in Washington County.
  • We are partnering with the Chappell Hill Historical Society to recreate a 19th century blacksmith shop on the grounds of the Chappell Hill Museum.
  • We are attempting to take the oral histories of Washington County veterans.

 

Current deadlines

The Commission is accepting 2022 historical marker applications from March 1st - May 16.  Please contact the historical marker chair as soon as possible for more information and to receive an application form.   

Awards

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/