Historic sites have holiday appeal

During the holiday season get out and enjoy the many winter festivities that Texas has to offer.

One highlight of the season is the many holiday festivals taking place on the squares of historic courthouses throughout the state. Each of these temples of justice will take center stage in the merriment as a beacon to holiday visitors.

Many of these structures were recently restored through the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Historic

Courthouse Preservation Program. This program provides matching grants to Texas counties for the restoration of their historic county courthouses. Since the program’s inception, courthouse restorations have generated 4,692 jobs throughout Texas, more than $130 million in local income and more than $177 million in gross state product.

As centerpieces of holiday celebrations around the state, these restored courthouses continue to be the focus of

county pride and make a positive economic impact on the counties they serve.

To support local businesses as well as find some remarkable gifts, visit the historic downtown shopping district in one of the more than 80 Texas Main Street cities.

For more holiday events and ideas, explore the celebrations happening throughout the regions of the THC’s award-winning heritage tourism program, the Texas Heritage Trails Program. Throughout the month

of December all 10 regions will be featuring festive events like historic home tours which provide visitors with a glance into the holiday celebrations of Texas’ past.

Additional attractions and celebrations throughout Texas await you during the month of December. To find out more about historic courthouses, Main Street cities and various events happening in each of the 10 heritage trail regions, visit the calendar of events at www.thc.state.tx.us.