The Texas Historical Commission (THC) recently honored dedicated historic preservationists, archeologists, volunteers and others for their accomplishments and exemplary leadership in the preservation of Texas’ heritage throughout 2023.
The Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation was presented to the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (TXDAR), an active group of approximately 19,000 women who are passionate about historic preservation comprising 198 chapters across the state. Because of its size and the many projects it undertakes, TXDAR is one of the major organizations in the state that informs, promotes and engages people about history and historic preservation.
Margaret Howard received the Curtis D. Tunnell Lifetime Achievement Award in Archeology for her essential contributions to the field of archeology and conservation in Texas over nearly four decades. Her career achievements are numerous, including helping create a new initiative in 1994 at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), conducting comprehensive archeological surveys and generating baseline data on areas within the Texas State Parks system. Serving as principal investigator for the Archeology Survey Team for the next 23 years, Howard surveyed an area about the size of Manhattan and recorded more than 650 sites on TPWD lands.
The Ruth Lester Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Pam Wheat Stranahan for educating, preserving, mentoring and sharing Texas history for over 44 years. She has been active with the Texas Archeological Society, Aransas County Historical Commission, Aransas County Historical Society and the History Center of Aransas County. She has authored many publications, including a book on the shipwreck La Belle called La Salle in Texas: A Teacher’s Guide for the Age of Discovery and Exploration.
The John L. Nau, III Award of Excellence in Museums was presented to the Museum and Visitor Center of the Bastrop County Historical Society (BCHS). While the origins of the museum date to 1952, the combined museum and visitor center opened in 2012 in the old city hall building. It anchors Bastrop’s historic downtown, drawing over 14,000 visitors annually and preserving over 18,000 artifacts. With research facilities, staff, permanent and rotating exhibits, and an exemplary visitor center all in one building, it is a valuable community asset.
The Anice B. Read Award of Excellence in Community Heritage Development was presented to the Honorable Janet Gott, mayor of Denison. A lifelong resident, she served five years on the Denison City Council, was elected as the city’s first female mayor in 2018 and was re-elected in 2021 and inducted into the Downtown Denison Hall of Fame. She has championed historic preservation and downtown revitalization efforts, including serving on the fundraising committee for the THC’s Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site, which is undergoing a major renovation project.
The Award of Excellence in Preserving History was awarded to the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library of Texas Tech University for its successful digitization of more than 290,000 issues of regional West Texas newspapers over the past 10 years. The content of the newspaper project provides researchers with time-capsule perspectives of historic, social and cultural events relevant to West Texas history.
The Bellville Turnverein Pavilion was awarded the Award of Excellence in Historic Architecture for the restoration project that returned the 12-sided historic dance and social hall to productive use as an event venue through the sensitive application of modern technology. The project introduced air conditioning to a previously unconditioned historic wood building that did not visually impact the character-defining interior space, particularly the exposed wood roof structure.
The Award of Excellence in Media Achievement went to TexasTejano.com and KSAT 12’s “Tejano Moments” series of 20 educational video segments that aired on San Antonio television and focused on untold stories of historical significance, people and events. These stories highlighted the Tejano men, women and families who helped shape Texas and the Southwest.
Bob Ward of Travis County received the John Ben Shepperd County Historical Commission Leadership Award. Ward is chair of the Travis County Historical Commission, an archeology and history steward and a member of the THC’s Antiquities Advisory Board. He serves on the boards of the El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Trail Association, Austin History Center Association, Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms Board of Governance, and Preservation Austin. He also works with Save Austin’s Cemeteries and the Travis County Archeological Society.
Harold A. Odom, Jr. received the George Christian Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award for his contributions to the Odom Homestead Preservation effort in the Newton County freedom colony of Shankleville since 2015. He worked with architect Donna Carter, FAIA, to establish specific short-term workplans to systematically restore each building on the site to its 1945 appearance, and he serves as the primary narrator of the Preservation in Progress tour of the homestead.
The THC Preservation Awards will be presented at the THC’s Real Places 2024 conference, April 3–5, in Austin and online. Presented by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction, LLC, Real Places is the premier historic preservation and heritage tourism event in the Lone Star State. It offers world-class sessions, workshops, tours, special events, entertainment and networking activities, while bringing together many different audiences under the banners of history, heritage and preservation.
Learn more about the THC Preservation Awards.