The Austin County Historical Commission has been awarded a Distinguished Service Award for the 2019 year of service. This annual award affirms that the Austin County HC appointees for managing well-rounded history and preservation-related programs that enrich Texas communities.

“The Texas Historical Commission could not save real places that tell the real stories of Texas without county historical commissions,” said THC Executive Mark Wolfe. “The Distinguished Service Award honors these vital partners that preserve our state’s history every day, and Austin CHC is a deserving recipient for its local leadership and efforts.”

The THC assists more than 200 CHCs through programs and services that preserve Texas’ heritage for the education, enjoyment, and economic benefit of present and future generations.

THC received 185 CHC annual reports for the 2019 year of service and 79 of those CHCs were approved for a Distinguished Service Award.

The members of the Austin County Historical Commission were presented the award and sworn in by County Judge Tim Lapham on March 8, 2021. These members will serve for two years. They are Grace Holtkamp, Joan Buenger, Don Allphin, Verena Aeschbacher, James Hering, Linda Jurecka and Carolyn Zaskoda. Several members were not able to attend the presentation and will be sworn in later.