The vision Llano County leaders had in taking steps to restore the historic Llano County Courthouse was recognized by First Lady Laura Bush recently with the nation’s highest award for historic preservation achievement.

The Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, administered by the Texas Historical Commission (THC), recently received the 2008 Preserve America Presidential Award at a special White House ceremony on May 12. Llano County joined the program May 4, 2000 and its courthouse was fully restored and rededicated on June 15, 2002.

The award was one of four presented to preservation projects from across the nation. The awards are a component of Preserve America, a White House initiative that highlights the efforts of President and Mrs. Bush, to celebrate and preserve our nation’s cultural heritage. The awards, now in their fifth year, are presented in May during National Preservation Month.

“This year’s honorees’ preservation efforts ensure Americans gain a greater knowledge of our nation’s past while impacting the economic validity of their communities, states and the nation,” said John L. Nau, III, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which administers the award on behalf of the White House.

The Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program has worked with counties throughout Texas with its matching grant program to complete the full restoration of 36 courthouses to date. An additional 16 full restoration projects are currently under way.

The program has assisted another 15 structures with a phase of construction or planning and approved 122 courthouse master plans. Today, more than half of Texas’ 234 surviving historic county courthouses are participating in this state-run program.

“We have come full circle today,” said THC Executive Director Larry Oaks who attended the White House ceremony.