Introduction:

In 1984, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners created a 12 member board called the Thurston County Historic Commission. The Thurston County Historic Commission is responsible for promoting and conducting public information, education and interpretive programs pertaining to county history and county cultural resources.  Their duties include:

1. Identify and promote the preservation of historic resources (buildings, structures, objects, trees, and other unique natural features, sites and districts);  

2. Organize events, as approved by the Board of County Commissioners;  

3. Increase awareness of our national, state, and county heritage among citizens;  

4. Conduct a comprehensive inventory of historic properties with the county; publicize and periodically update the inventory;  

5. Review and comment on proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, remove, demolish or significantly affect properties or districts on the county historic register;  

6. Serve as the local review board for the purpose of approving applications for special property tax evaluation.  

The Historic Commission meets regularly. For more information call (360) 754-3355 ext. 6348.

1. Current Agenda Packet

2. Historic Commission Projects and Events

3. 2010 Thurston County Heritage Grant Program

For more information review TCC Chapter 2.106 Historic Commission.

Thurston County Historic Register
Questions & Answers

What is the County Historic Register?

What qualifies a property as "historic" for the historic register?

What are the benefits of historic register placement?

What property tax benefits are available for historic building improvements?

What is not affected by placement?

How is the advisory review conducted?

What is not reviewed?

Where is an application?

What is the County Historic Register?      FAQ Top

The Historic Register is an official list of places important to the history of Thurston County and worthy of recognition and preservation.

The Register was established in 1986 when the County Commissioners enacted a Historic Preservation Ordinance. A county-wide inventory of over 140 historic resources was completed in August 1985 and the County hopes to see many of the historic places identified in this inventory placed on the Historic Register.

Chapter 10 of the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan discusses identification, preservation, and protection of Thurston County's archaeological and historical resources.

What qualifies a property as "historic" for the historic register?     FAQ Top

The County Historic Register recognizes properties that are at least 50 years old (or of lesser age if of exceptional importance), and which are important for one or more of the following reasons:

1) Historical Importance -- the property is: the site of an historic event with an effect upon society; identified with a person or group who had some influence on society; or exemplifies the cultural, social, religious, economic, political, aesthetic or engineering history of the county.

2) Architectural Importance -- the property is: (a) an individual building that embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type, period, style or method of design or construction; is the work of an architect or master builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the county; or (b) a group of buildings that may lack distinction individually but together are easily distinguished as a unit and characterize an earlier era, way of living, and construction of the built environment.

3) Archaeological Importance -- the property has yielded or may be likely to yield archaeological information important in pre-history or history.

4) Birthplaces, Graves , Cemeteries -- the property is: a birthplace or grave of a person of outstanding historical importance; or a cemetery significant because of its age, distinctive design features or association with historic events or cultural patterns.

What are the benefits of historic register placement?      FAQ Top

Free Advice -- Preservation is encouraged by providing a process for the Historic Commission to review any proposed exterior changes to register properties, as well as relocation or demolition. The review is tied to building permit applications or other review processes applicable to the proposed work. It is to take no more than 30 days. COMPLIANCE WITH THE ADVICE OF THE HISTORIC COMMISSION IS VOLUNTARY, but if the building's historic character is destroyed, the building may be removed from the register.

Educational Program -- From time to time, the County will prepare public information programs on historic properties.

Property Tax Exemptions for Qualified Renovations:       FAQ Top

A state law enacted in 1985 provides a 10-year “special valuation” property tax exemption for renovations to historic properties on the local register. Such renovations must cost at least 25 percent of the building's value.  Click here for more information.

Building Code Relaxation -- Some relaxation of strict building code requirements is available to properties on the Thurston County Historic Register in the interest of preserving historic character, while still meeting safety requirements. This is discussed on a case-by-case basis with the Thurston County Building Official, located in the Development Services Department.

What is not affected by placement?     FAQ Top

Placement on the Register does not affect the use of the structure, require repairs or restoration and does not apply to interior alterations.

How is the advisory review conducted?     FAQ Top

Whenever a building permit or other county approval is applied for on a Historic Register building, the Historic Commission is notified. They arrange a meeting to discuss the proposed project with the owner or person responsible for the project.

The Commission will review the proposed work for the following considerations:

1) For work on an individual historic property: effects of the proposed work in storing, changing, destroying or maintaining significant historic features of the property.

2) For construction of a new improvement or addition: compatibility of its exterior with the existing historic buildings and structures on the site.

3) In the case of work being done within a historic district: the effect of the work on the historic character of the district and how it compares to design standards adopted by the County for the district.

The Historic Commission does not expect that buildings remain exactly as they were when built, nor does it expect that buildings will be restored to their original condition. Contemporary designs for alterations and additions will be encouraged when they do not destroy historical material and when the design is compatible with the size, scale, material and character of the property and its environment. COMPLIANCE WITH THE ADVICE OF THE HISTORIC COMMISSION IS VOLUNTARY.

What is not reviewed?     FAQ Top

1) Ordinary Repair and Maintenance

2) Emergency Repair

3) Painting

Where are applications and more information obtained?     FAQ Top

Thurston County Historic Register Application Form

Thurston County Historic Register Information Sheet

Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Washington State Historical Society

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

Contact Information:

Cami Petersen, Land Use Clerk
Thurston County Resource Stewardship Department
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA  98502
(360) 754-3355 ext. 6348  Fax (360) 754-2939 TDD (360) 754-2933
peterscs@co.thurston.wa.us