HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 HPC Programs & HistoryTimeline of HPC Programs:
Very brief summary of Historic Preservation Committee programs:
1980s-- The HPC was first organized around the events of the 50th Anniversary of the incorporation of the City of College Station .
Programs in the 1980s were informal and the committee was most closely affiliated with the Parks Department. Dialogue included oral history, local history, and creation of a historic
homes park in Wolf Pen Creek
1990s-- In August 13, 1993 the purpose and scope of the committee was formalized into ordinance. The first staff liaison was Neighborhood Services.
Early initiatives included a historic lighting project, historic marker program, and proposed restoration of the College Station depot.
Through much of the 1990s the committee had five standing subcommittees:
Historical Tourism
Oral History
Research
Photo Documentation
Education
2000s—Early efforts were focused on creation of a Historic Preservation ordinance and neighborhood integrity issues. The middle of the first decade was dominated by a focus upon a historic
library, digitization and digital databases.
In 2008, efforts at creation of a HP ordinance were successful, and the Landmark Commission was formed to address planning and zoning related preservation initiatives, leaving the HPC
free to focus on education and outreach.
2010s-- Below is a brief summary of current HPC standing Programs:
Oral History
Historic Marker
Exploring History Luncheon
Project HOLD
Oral History Program:
The first documented City Sponsored Oral History initiative was a product of efforts surrounding the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of College Station. These were accomplished
in cooperation with the Conference Center.
The bulk of the oral histories were collected as part of the Memory Lane oral history sessions of the 1990s. These were organized thematically, and callouts for those with knowledge
of the topic would precede the interviews.
Since that period, the number of oral histories collected has been dependent upon the level of support available. For instance, in 2006, the committee had 4 members on the oral history
subcommittee, and one member, Mary Hamlin, personally conducted a dozen. That was also the period in which digital voice recorders were first used.
As is typical for oral history projects, the rate of transcription and processing has lagged behind collection. For instance, former member Dr. Lou Hodges has been instrumental in transcription
of the Memory Lane interviews, done several years earlier.
Historic Marker Program:
The Historic Marker program, along with the oral history project, is one of the longest running programs the HPC has been associated with.
Initially, the HPC worked with the county historical commission to research and solicit support for county and state markers, to be awarded within the City limits.
In the first HPC meeting in 1990, the HPC decided to begin awarding markers of their own. At that time, the city would initially buy the marker and the homeowner would reimburse upon
approval and award.
1990 cost: $475.00 for a one time casting fee and $93.90 for each marker produced.
In January of 1991 the hpc approved their first house, and 16 markers were awarded in total that year. The rate of award has fluctuated greatly since that time, with other peaks in 1999,
and 2006.
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Three types of Markers have awarded: homes, buildings, and topics:
The most recent House Marker was #87, 10 building markers have been awarded, and two topics, according to records.
There currently is no mechanism to track the continued status of properties which have been awarded markers.
Project HOLD:
Project HOLD ultimately originated from the early Oral History, Research, and Photo Documentation subcommittees. By 1996, the HPC had accumulated documents and research from projects,
and the office of the City Secretary showed Bill Lancaster, then Chair of the HPC, a collection of City scrapbooks and records of interest, and were looking for a volunteer to archive
them. The HPC discussed forming a historic library to make these items available to the public.
Early talks in 2002 centered on the idea that the collections could be housed in a local repository, likely the Carnegie Center, possibly a municipal library, or a museum specifically
created for the purpose. By November 2002, after being made aware of the City’s ability to scan documents to Laserfiche, discussions centered around donations of the physical items
to the Carnegie Center, but it was uncertain whether they would have space, and some members were opposed to the idea that items from the City of College Station would be housed in
a facility in Bryan.
By early 2003, the Historic Material Collection Project had evolved into Project HOLD, members were accumulating hardware and software, and hosting all volunteer scanning days, and
were developing a donation form.
Initial policy was that new donations would be referred to local repositories after being scanned, and as the digitization aspect became popular, efforts to house the physical collections
became less of a priority, and continued to be retained by the City.
Early efforts volunteer efforts concerning Project HOLD evolved into projects requiring dedicated staff hours.
The primary focus coordinating the database with outreach programs and maximizing the number of items scanned.
Publicity surrounding Project HOLD was successful and several awards followed. Project HOLD is the only local preservation initiative to date to win both state and national recognition.
2005- THC Award for Excellence in Preserving History
2007- American Assn. for State and Local History National Leadership in History Award
2007- THC Award for Excellence in Preserving History
Exploring History Luncheon:
In 2003 the HPC was co-hosting a regular luncheon called the History Buff Dutch Lunch, in partnership with the TAMU Press.
By 2004 the HPC and the Senior Advisory Committee were in partnership to plan a series of speeches originally called Exploring College Station History, which would later become the Exploring
History Lunch Lecture, and the Exploring History Luncheon Series. By 2006, it was reported that the luncheon had attracted as many as 125 people, and contributions were voluntary.
Monthly reports to committee reported various levels of data during different periods, but some tracking can be established, concerning attendance cost, and income. The chart below shows
unpaid(yellow) and paid(blue) attendance, revenue collected (green), and cost of food only(red) when listed on monthly reports.
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