Historic Commission
Thurston County Board of County Commissioners created this 12 member board in 1984. 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.
About the Historic Commission & Staff Contact
Their duties include:
- Identify and promote the preservation of historic resources (buildings, structures, objects, trees, and other unique natural features, sites and districts);
- Organize events, as approved by the Board of County Commissioners;
- Increase awareness of our national, state, and county heritage among citizens;
- Conduct a comprehensive inventory of historic properties with the county; periodically update the inventory;
- Review and comment on proposals to construct, change, alter, modify, remodel, remove, demolish or significantly affect properties or districts on the county historic register;
- Serve as the local review board for the purpose of approving applications for special property tax evaluation.
Contact Us: Sonja Cady, Land Use Clerk. Phone: 360-867-2117. Fax: 360-754-2939. TTY/TDD call 711 or 1-800-833-6388 Email: sonja.cady@co.thurston.wa.us.
Heritage Grant Program
Background
The Thurston County Heritage Grant Program provides resources to assist in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Thurston County’s heritage. On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, the Thurston County Historic Commission administers the Thurston County Heritage Grant Program to assist projects that promote the public’s access to County history.
The program is funded with a portion of document recording fees collected by the Thurston County Auditor. The allocation of these fees for projects that “promote historical preservation or historical programs, which may include preservation of historic documents” is authorized under RCW 36.22.170. The revenues accrue to a dedicated fund and may not be used for any purposes other than those stipulated in the statute.
Awards Granted for 2024
The Thurston County Historic Commission received and ranked six complete applications. The six grant applications that were awarded 2024 grant funding were:
- Olympia Tumwater Foundation – Deschutes River History and Culture Video
- Gate Community Club- Repair- paint the bell tower and interior of the schoolhouse
- City of Tenino- Sandstone Preservation Project
- Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum- Bigelow House Shutter Replacement Project
- City of Olympia- History Intern 2024
- Window Seat Media- Community Roots Oral History Project
Historic Register and Special Tax Valuation
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.
Special Valuation: A Local Tax Incentive Program that Applies to Historic Buildings
Special Valuation: “… is a revision of the assessed value of a historic property which subtracts, for up to 10 years, rehabilitation costs as are approved by a local review board."
During its 1985 session, the Washington State Legislature determined that as the state approached its centennial year, the preservation of a lasting legacy of historic resources was an important goal. In order to reach this goal, the Legislature passed a law which allows a "special valuation" for certain historic properties within the state.
The primary benefit of the law is that during the 10-year special valuation period, property taxes do not reflect substantial improvements made to the property.
Prior to the passage of this law, owners restoring historic buildings were subject to increased property taxes once the improvements were made. This had the effect of discouraging some owners from rehabilitating their historically significant structures. The Legislature decided that restoration of these properties would be encouraged if tax relief were available. Property tax relief was selected as a tool which could provide the financial incentives necessary to promote rehabilitation of eligible historic properties.
How the Application Process Works
Applicant:
Before beginning work, contact historic staff at Thurston County (360) 867-2117 for more information and to arrange preliminary review of renovation plans. (This is not mandatory, but is desirable if you want to be assured the proposed work will meet the tax program standards.) Submit application to the Assessor no later than 24 months after beginning date of the rehabilitation work.
Assessor:
The Assessor will review your application for completeness and verify the legal owner, legal description, etc. The Assessor will submit the application to local review board within 10 working days.
Local Review Board (Thurston County Historic Commission):
The Thurston County Historic Commission will review the application and attachments. The commission will approve or deny the application no later than December 31st of the application year. If the application is approved, the commission will notify the applicant, Assessor, and State Advisory Council within 10 days. The commission will execute the agreement with the applicant and return the application to the Assessor.
Assessor:
The Assessor will file the application, agreement and certification statement (if applicable) with the county recording authority. The Assessor will also determine special valuation and enter in tax roles separately from the normal assessed value.
Forms and additional information about this program can be accessed with the links below.
2023 Meeting Dates & Materials
Howard Bergh is petitioning the Thurston County Historic Commission to allow placement of a Historic Road Name sign at the intersection of Tilley RD S. and 100th Ave S.E. to commemorate this historic road name “Besse RD”.