Webinar Series: Building a Strong Preservation Program
This series is designed to help Historic Preservation Officers, Main Street Managers, Landmark Commissioners, and others learn about historic preservation best practices at the local level.
The trainings are intended to be watched in order. To view the videos and their corresponding handouts, click the buttons below.
Part 1: Protection by Designation
The first training in the Building A Strong Preservation Program series defines the different historic designations at the federal, state, and local level. Attendees will also learn about the local designation process for historic landmarks and local historic districts.
Handouts for Part 1: Protection By Designation
Part 2: Historic Preservation Ordinance
The second part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will focus on drafting a strong Preservation Ordinance. Attendees will learn the key components of a Preservation Ordinance and how the Ordinance can impact local preservation efforts.
Handouts for Part 2: Historic Preservation Ordinance
Part 3: Design Guidelines & Standards
The third part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will focus on creating design guidelines and how they can be used in the design review process. Attendees will learn the who ,what, when, where, why of design guidelines and see how several cities in Texas utilize them.
Handouts for Part 3: Design Guidelines & Standards
Part 4: Certificate of Appropriateness Review
The fourth part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will focus on how to utilized your City’s Preservation tools to conduct Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) Reviews. Attendees will learn about the different types of COA reviews and how to conduct them. They will learn how to apply their City’s Ordinance and Design Guidelines and Standards when reviewing applications for demolition, new construction, alterations, and modifications to historic buildings in their cities and districts.
Handouts for Part 4: Certificate of Appropriateness Review
Part 5: Preservation Incentives
The fifth part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will explore a few of the most popular incentives for preservation, including the federal and state rehabilitation tax credit, local tax exemptions for rehabilitation, and façade grants. Explained through Main Street and CLG case studies, attendees will gain a better understanding of how incentives can encourage quality preservation projects.
Handouts for Part 5: Preservation Incentives
Part 6: Interpreting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
The sixth part of the Building A Strong Preservation Program webinar series will focus on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Developed by the National Park Service, the Standards guide decisions about the appropriate maintenance, repair, and alteration of historic properties. Most historic preservation ordinances reference the Standards as criteria for ruling on Certificates of Appropriateness, so a thorough understanding of the Standards and their interpretation can enhance local preservation efforts.
Handouts for Part 6: Interpreting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation
Design Standards and Guidelines
Certificates of Appropriateness are based off of the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The standards are listed on the National Park Service's website. The guidelines help communities interpret the standards.
The Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation
Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
Historic Resource Criteria and Survey
The criteria used to locally designate historic resources are typically based on the criteria used for the National Register of Historic Places. CLG communities are also expected to keep an inventory of historic properties designated at the federal, state, and local level.
National Register of Historic Places
Preservation Law
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended
Laws, Executive Orders & Regulations
Law and the Historic Preservation Commission: What Every Member Needs to Know
Technical Assistance
Technical Preservation Services
Education and Outreach
Many local historic preservation boards and commissions are charged with educating their communities about the benefits of historic preservation. Education and outreach leads to a better understanding and appreciation of preservation.
More about Certified Local Government
Working on the Past in Local Historic Districts
National & State Organizations
Advisory Council for Historic Preservation
National Center for Preservation Training and Technology
National Association of Preservation Commissions
National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers
In addition to these resources, staff of CLG communities have access to the CLG listserv. The listserv is managed by the Texas Historical Commission, and allows historic preservation officers and CLG representatives to ask questions, discuss common issues, and share information. Please contact the state coordinator, Kelly Little or call at 512.463.7812 if you are a historic preservation officer or work in administering your CLG's preservation program of would like to be added to the listserv.