AUSTIN, Texas— The Texas Historical Commission (THC) awarded a 2022 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) to the Wichita County Historical Commission (CHC).

This annual award affirms Wichita CHC appointees for managing well-rounded history and preservation-related programs that enrich Texas communities. The county commissioners’ court, which serves as the CHC’s governing body, will work with the CHC to determine the best way to present the DSA certificate and publicly acknowledge appointees for their dedicated service.

CHCs provide critical volunteer efforts to preserve Texas’ unique historic, architectural, and cultural assets. They provided 294,634 volunteer hours in 2022, which is an in-kind donation to the state valued at $9,369,361.

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. The THC’s advisory role to CHCs is outlined in the Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 318. CHCs, as directed by county officials, initiate and conduct programs that preserve the historic and cultural resources of Texas.

The Wichita County Historical Commission has actively provided stories of the local area to the community through a variety of outlets.  Members post on social media, maintain a website, started a podcast, and published books on Wichita County history.  Members have also started programs to digitize historic photography and videos to make them more accessible to the public. To learn more about Wichita CHC, visit www.wichitacountyhistoricalcommission.org/.

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