* Franklin County Historical Association *

http://www.thc.state.tx.us/awards/awdFrstLdyTxTrs.shtml

Mount Vernon joined the commission's Main Street program in 1992 and has been named a National Main Street City by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Additionally, Mount Vernon is a Preserve America City, a Visionaries in Preservation City, a Certified Retirement Community, a ‘Go Texan’ community, and a member of the Texas Heritage Trails’ Forest Trail Region.

Teresia Wims, Economic Development/Main Street Director, says, "Many local groups - not the least of which are the City Council, Main Street / VIP boards, and Franklin County Historical Association, have worked hard for years and deserve a big ‘thank you’ for their collective parts in this recognition."

A BOOK - ALWAYS A GOOD GIFT!

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WHAT ELSE YOU WILL FIND ON THIS PAGE

A Listing of the Members of the Board of Directors and the Officers of the FCHA, The Organization's Mission Statement, and Its Goals and Objectives 

Members of the Board of Directors  

• Gary Strange 2010
• Elease Hubbell 2010
• Martha Hare 2010
• Betsy Cook 2011
• Lu Butler 2011
• Nicki Armstrong 2011
• Jim Johnson 2012
• Cynthia Loftis 2012
• John Tutor 2012  

Officers for 2009

• President B. F. Hicks 
• First Vice President John Stephenson
• Second Vice President Nancy Miller
• Third Vice President Norman G. Horn 
• Forth Vice President Jean Ann Marshall
• Secretary Lillie Bush Reves 
• Treasurer Mary Lou Russell 
• Newsletter Editor Elaine Thomas 

Committees 2009 - Join Today! 

Special events: Jean Ann Marshall, chair
Committee includes Docent Training; coordination for tours and coordination for fund raising or other special events
Subcommittee, Docent Coordination for Firestation – Kenneth Greer, chair
Subcommittee, Docent Coordination for Special Events/ all other site visits – Jean Ann Marshall, chair
Subcommittee, Volunteer Recognition/ awards/ banquet

Publicity and Public Relations – John Stephenson, chair
Newsletter and Program Calendar: Elaine Thomas; website: John Hicks, webmaster

Educational Outreach – Betsy Cook, chair
(schools, general public, tourists, church groups, clubs)

Facilities and Grounds: - Lillie Bush Reves, chair
(subcommittee for each property)
Site Review: Gary Strange, John Tutor, committee members
Depot – main building
Depot – blacksmith shop
Depot – model train exhibit
Depot – syrup mill
Depot grounds:
Firestation:
Thruston House
Thruston Pavilion
Thruston Grounds (grounds and gardens)
Dupree Park
Parchman House
Gertrude Smith House
West End Preserve

Historic Signs/Markers/Recognition – all significant sites properties - Libby Milton, chair
Subcommittees:
Local Markers/property review – sign maintenance – Ron and Libby Milton, chairs
Historic Signs/Birding/Nature/Early roads and Indian Trails (Lu Butler, chair)
National Register and State Marker Subcommittee – Steve Hammons, chair
State historic marker, national trust registrations, state historic landmark registrations
Historic Assets and Resources Inventory Committee: Lillie Bush Reves (work with Sign and Marker Committee: local signage, historic homes and highways; state historic markers; national trust registrations)

Exhibit Coordination – Mary Lou Russell, chair
Subcommittees:
Exhibit Planning
Exhibits – Farm equipment:
Exhibits – Firestation –First floor
Exhibits – Firestation – Second floor (exclude bird egg area)
Exhibits – Firestation – Wilkinson Library:
Exhibits – Depot:
Exhibits – Thruston:
Exhibits – Parchman:
Exhibits – Parchman Outbuildings:
Exhibits - for bird egg exhibit – Lillie Bush Reves with Hicks and Tutor)

Archives: Accession and Curation – Nancy Miller, chair
Documentation, computer data/archival records management – Gertrude Smith House with data base for all facilities through management in G. Smith House: Nancy Miller
This committee has responsibility for maintaining data base as to all physical property owned by the Association.
Subcommittee: Meredith Collection – data base entry; inventory, curation, and documentation responsibility – Nicki Armstrong, chair
Subcommittee: Library in Wilkinson Room of firestation: Elease Hubbell, chair
Finance and Budget – Norm Horn, chair; this committee includes the president and treasurer as ex officio members for ongoing term of committee
St. Clair endowment committee – Nancy Miller, chair

Landmark Commission Representation from Association – B.F. Hicks
Hotel/Motel Tax Representation from Association – B.F. Hicks
Main St. Alliance Representation from Association – designate from board by resolution
Texas Historic Commission Visionaries in Preservation Representation from Association – John Stephenson

Nominating: Reserved

Personnel: Jean Ann Marshall, chair

Vision and Growth - Cynthia Loftis, chair
Membership Development
Mission Statement and Goals and Objectives (annual review)
Special Projects

Cemetery Recognition: B.F. Hicks and Martha Hare, co-chairs

Mission Statement

Our mission is to preserve our natural and cultural heritage.

We will promote our mission by striving for four goals:

1. We will further appreciation and preservation of our heritage through involvement of all ethnic groups in our community in our endeavors.

2. We will endeavor to promote the economy of our county and community through a special emphasis on heritage tourism.

3. We will act to acquire, maintain, and preserve artifacts and records of historic significance, as well as provide museums and exhibit areas to display and promote education and heritage tourism in Franklin County.

4. We will promote the participation of our youth in the activities of this association; we will strive through education to further appreciation of our natural and cultural heritage; we will serve as leaders to assure the youth of today carry our mission forward in generations to come.

Goals and Objectives

1. All projects, exhibits and educational processes will relate to people, items, or events of historical significance to Franklin County. Artifacts and records will be determined to be of historic significance if they are 50 years or older. Homes and farmsteads will be determined to be of historic significance if built prior to 1918.

2. All projects will be prepared with a "Do It Right The First Time" mindset.

3. All projects will conform to the requirements specified by the Board of Directors.

4. Artifacts, records and, property which cannot immediately be determined to meet "historic significance" criteria will be reviewed by a committee to ascertain their historic value.

5. Develop, educate, and recognize employees and volunteer workforce.

6. Maintain all properties and grounds to set an example of "excellence."

7. Promote an attitude of pride within the community.

8. Recognize historic homes in Franklin County with historical signs if homes are maintained in the image consistent with our goals.

9. Acknowledge all donations by letter with a Gift of Deed document signed by the donor and an FCHA representative.

10. Review goals and objectives annually.

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