County historical commission receives service award

The Hays County Historical Commission recently received a 2022 Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Historical Commission.

This annual award affirms HCHC appointees for managing well rounded history and preservation-related programs that enrich Texas communities and promote Texas history. The Hays County Commissioners Court, which serves as the HCHC’s governing body, presented the DSA certificate to HCHC at its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 11, and publicly acknowledged appointees for their dedicated service.

County historical commissions provide critical volunteer efforts to preserve Texas’ unique historic, architectural and cultural assets. The THC assists the HCHC with programs and services that preserve Texas’ heritage for the education, enjoyment and economic benefit of present and future generations. The HCHC, as directed by county officials, initiates and conducts programs that preserve the historic and cultural resources of Texas.

The Hays County Historical Commission’s major accomplishments in 2022 included: • Designation of San Vicente Cemetery and Peal-Pleasant Valley Cemetery as Historic Texas Cemeteries • Extensive survey of the more than 400 graves in San Vicente Cemetery

• The African American Committee’s support of and participation in celebrations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, and Black History Month

• The Hispanic Heritage Committee’s creation of exhibits for the American GI Forum, La Sociedad Mutualista Cuauhtémoc, Cinco de Mayo, and Día de los Muertos

• Full resumption of programming at the Kyle Railroad Depot following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Continued efforts towards the restoration of the historic 1884 Hays

County Jail

• The state’s approval of five applications for historical markers with subjects that range from the historic contributions of the women of Hays County to the historic contributions of the county’s Hispanic population

• Completion of two historical markers years in the making—the Kyle Railroad Depot and La Sociedad Mutualista Cuauhtémoc, and

• Replacement marker for Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla secured at no cost to the county.

To learn more about the HCHC, visit hayshistoricalcommission. com. For more information about CHCs in Texas, visit thc.texas. gov/chcoutreach or contact the THC’s History Programs Division at (512) 463-5853.