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Weatherford staff urges targeted outreach, website and short videos to boost local historic landmark designations
Summary
City staff told the Historic Preservation Commission it wants to increase Weatherford’s five locally designated landmarks by sending owner letters, offering face-to-face meetings, creating a brochure and a website section, and producing short social-media videos to build interest.
Monica, a city staff member, told the Historic Preservation Commission the city has five local historic landmarks and staff wants to increase that number through targeted outreach and new online resources. “So, today's meeting is basically just to go over how we can get more local historic properties,” Monica said, and asked commissioners to provide property addresses that staff could contact.
Staff plans to mail a draft letter and brochure to owners and build a dedicated historic-preservation section on the city website that will list existing landmarks, outline the local registration process and describe available incentives. Monica said staff will also visit owners in person when commissioners can arrange introductions. “If we get property owners that come back to us and do apply, we will go through the evaluation process and the next steps,” she said.
Commission members volunteered names and neighborhoods for initial outreach, citing likely candidates such as the Mary Martin house, properties on Lamar and Lee streets, the Wolfolk McCall House and the Mount Pleasant Colored School. One commissioner said targeted mailings could help, while another argued face-to-face contact is more effective than letters alone. “A letter is real easy to throw in the trash,” a commissioner said; another warned that homeowner concern about perceived government overreach is a key local hurdle.
A staff member proposed short social-media clips and brief videos highlighting listed properties and residents or owners speaking about their houses to build enthusiasm. Commissioners offered to help collect content and suggested starting with properties already listed at the state or national level, plus city-owned sites, which staff said could be easier early wins for local designation.
On logistics, commissioners agreed to provide suggested addresses to Monica so staff can draft letters and coordinate meetings; staff said they will prepare the website section next week and circulate the link and packet for commissioners' review. No formal votes were taken on the outreach plan; the commission approved previous meeting minutes and later adjourned.
