Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Milam County brings home historical awards
by Jeanne Williams
Temple Daily Telegram - April 26, 2009
CAMERON - Dr. Lucile Estell has been awarded the Texas Historical Commission’s
prestigious John Ben Shepperd County Historical Commission Leadership Award, an honor
that recognizes the outstanding leadership necessary to carry out an aggressive and
well-balanced preservation program.
“Dr. Lucile Estell’s commitment to the Milam County Historical Commission demonstrates
her enthusiasm for saving the real places of Texas,” said Larry Oaks, historical
commission executive director. “Her dedication as a preservationist to enriching the
lives of others through history has played an important role in preserving our state’s
past, as well as enhancing its future.”
Dr. Estell has been involved in numerous preservation groups and projects in Rockdale,
Cameron and Milam County, serving as Milam County Historical Commission chairman from
2005 to 2008, and the El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Trail board of directors.
She also chairs Rockdale’s popular Tejas Art, Book and Cultural Festival, which
attracts such renowned authors as Liz Carpenter and Joaquin Jackson. A dedicated
teacher and educator, Dr. Estell helped organize Texas Archeology Month activities in
the schools for many years. She is also a member of the Brazos Regional Trail Board.
She has been instrumental in obtaining Certified Local Government grants to develop a
county-wide historic resource survey, a three-year project completed in 2007. Dr.
Estell also led the development of a strategic plan as well as establishing the Milam
County Historic Preservation Fund, which to date has awarded more than $30,000 for
local preservation projects.
Dr. Estell was presented the honor during an April 16 awards dinner at the Texas
Historical Commission’s 2009 historic preservation conference in Lakeway. The award is
named for former Texas attorney general and civic activist John Ben Shepperd, who was
appointed to the state historical commission in 1961 by Gov. Price Daniel. Shepperd
served as chair from 1963 to 1967. Many consider Shepperd the driving force behind the
state’s historical markers program.
The state commission also recognized the Milam County Historical Commission with a 2008
Distinguished Service Award, which lauds a county’s dedicated Texas Historical
Commission programs as well as preservation efforts that lead to a greater
understanding of state and local history.
“The commitment of Milam County’s preservation efforts demonstrates an enthusiasm for
saving the real places of Texas,” Oaks said. “Your service has helped to enrich the
lives of others through history, ensuring the preservation of our state’s past into the
future.”
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All articles from the Temple Daily Telegram are published with the permission of the
Temple Daily Telegram.
All credit for this article goes to
Jeanne Williams
and the
Temple Daily Telegram
Temple Daily Telegram.
All credit for this article goes to
Jeanne Williams
and the
Temple Daily Telegram