Webinars and Workshops

The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program offers training, technical advice, and resources for historic preservation officers, landmarks commissioners, city and county staff, CLG committee members, etc. Program staff host webinars, conduct workshops around the state, and provide free consultations by phone and email. Our goal is to help participating communities develop and maintain a strong local preservation program. 

The CLG Program also has free online training modules allowing you to learn at your own pace: 

The CLG Reference Center offers online educational resources on preservation-related topics relevant to local governments

Preservation Boot Camp was developed to provide continuous, on-demand preservation training to help anyone interested in their community's history understand how preservation works

Learn to apply for the Historic Texas Cemetery designation.
In this recorded webinar, THC staff provides an overview of the HTC designation program. This webinar covers the benefits of the HTC designation, eligibility requirements, how to complete the request for designation application form, and what to expect during the designation process.

Historic Cemetery Disaster Preparedness and Response Training.
This collection of webinars and videos train stewards of historic cemeteries to better prepare for and respond to future disasters.

CHCs and Historic Cemeteries: A Framework for Preservation 
The THC's Cemetery Preservation Program offers a framework to help a County Historical Commission (CHC) shape its cemetery-related program of work. These resources are designed to assist CHCs in understanding the framework and carry out activities suggested by THC. 

County Historical Commission (CHC) Outreach staff provide orientation materials, recommendations from staff, and technical assistance to CHCs and county officials. Outreach staff host webinars, trainings, workshops, participate in CHC regional meetings, and are available for consultations by phone and email. Our goal is to increase the organizational capacity of CHCs and encourage best practices.

The Orientation and Training webpage provides chairs with all necessary materials to conduct CHC appointee orientation remotely or in-person. 

The Development Seminar Series is for volunteers and staff interested in learning more about securing philanthropic support for their organization. The series highlights best practices and facilitates dynamic group interactions to help teach fundraisers how to achieve their goals.

Two seminars are held in Austin in the spring and fall each year. Visit the Friends of the THC to learn more and see upcoming dates.

In-person Workshops

Would you like to learn to research and apply for an Official Texas Historical Marker for your community? THC's free workshops and webinars provide an overview of important historical research fundamentals, as participants walk through a sample historical marker application and sample narrative.

The presentations encourage consideration of the elements which comprise successful marker applications. Topics include historical significance and integrity, conducting research, primary vs. secondary sources, research tools, writing the narrative and the roles of the THC and county historical commissions (CHCs) in the application process.  To sign up for a marker workshop, please contact the History Programs Division at 512-463-5853 or history@thc.texas.gov. 

Upcoming In-person Workshops

None at this time.

Online Training

Can't make it to one of the workshops? No problem! We offer a variety of free online training opportunities that you can view from your home or desk.

Webinar Recordings

2024 Updates and Marker Process Overview (recording) (slides and handouts)

Application Process - Thursday, March 30, 2023 (recording) (slides and handouts)

Undertold Markers Webinar (recording) (slides and handouts)

Role of a Marker Chair (recording) (slides and handouts)

Historical Markers and the Application Process

How to Write the Narrative History

The Museum Services Program provides training, support, and resources to help Texas museums better carry out their missions and increase their capacity to meet professional standards. Program staff conduct free online webinars, present workshops around the state, and provide free consultations via phone and email.

The Military History Oral History Training Workshop series highlights the real places telling the real stories of Texas’ involvement in the military and is designed for people to learn how to conduct and record oral histories pertaining to World War II and the Cold War.

The workshops are part of the "Here and There: Recollections of Texas in World War II" oral history training series. This program honors and preserves the memories of Texans who served in the armed forces during World War II and the contributions made on the home front. Historical markers, a commemorative brochure, and a military/home front sites survey are part of this program that enriches lives through history.

Upcoming Workshops

No workshops are planned at this time.

Twice a year, the Texas Main Street Program (TMSP) holds professional development and training for its local Main Street managers and their volunteers. Additionally, the TMSP partners each year with the Texas Downtown Association to hold an annual statewide downtown revitalization conference. The annual conference is open to anyone interested in downtown revitalization.