DEPARTMENT: Office of Historic Preservation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Shanon Shea Miller, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT: Briefing regarding proposed local historical markers programs
SUMMARY:
San Antonio's historical and cultural significance extends far beyond our historic architecture, well-known histories, and our designated landmarks. San Antonio is rich in stories that celebrate our built environment, diverse communities, and unique traditions. Following discussions with community partners focused on how to tell a more inclusive San Antonio story, the Office of Historic Preservation is launching two local markers programs to commemorate untold, undertold, and geographically diverse stories in a way that is accessible, affordable, and inclusive: There's a Story Here, a community-sourced story-sharing and mapping project tentatively slated to launch in October 2020, and History Here, a community-reviewed local markers program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Since June 2020, OHP staff has worked with community leaders to develop the alternative markers program, a local effort not constrained by the traditional and more formal historical markers programs that currently exist at the state and national level. The working group for the alternative markers program includes stakeholders that broadly represent the population of San Antonio, such as the Westside Preservation Alliance, the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, SAAACAM, and the Conservation Society of San Antonio. The working group reviewed proposals by OHP staff and provided feedback to ensure that the alternative markers program meets the goals of the initiative. With the guidance of the working group, OHP staff proposes two alternative markers programs centered on community participation and community review and that champion San Antonio's undertold stories.
ISSUE:
Because the City of San Antonio currently does not have a local markers program, individuals and organizations who wish to commemorate a p...
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