A work addressing historic preservation in Honduras does not currently exist. This thesis focuses on highlighting present historic preservation issues and challenges in Honduras through the government institution in charge of the field, the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History (IHAH) and its management practices. After introducing a short history of Honduras’ capital, the Municipality of the Central District (M.D.C.), the thesis then addresses the present historic preservation issues and challenges within the M.D.C. through its local-government management office, the Historic Center Management office (GCH). The last chapter presents two case studies as evidence of the Honduran government’s weak historic preservation planning management. The IHAH’s and GCH’s weakness is evidence of the central government’s lack of interest in cultural and historic education and preservation. This has resulted in the carelessness and destruction of numerous historic and heritage properties. One of the major issues of the IHAH is the lack of national standards for the planning of historic preservation in the country. Additionally, it is unfortunate that although historic preservation awareness is developing, hands-on historic preservation activities are not developing at the same pace needed to save the many national and local endangered heritage and historic properties.
The qualitative research methodology from both secondary and primary sources was used in the creation of this thesis. Much of the information was collected through oral interviews, study reports, government reports, books, institutional magazines, newspaper articles, and museum information.
The thesis concludes that in spite of the issues Honduras and its citizens face, the challenges and issues of the historic preservation field in the country are solvable. The recommendations laid out as part of the SWOT analyses provide clear, actionable, and measurable improvements that may be implemented at all levels of government.