Special Commendation Given To Cuero Museum

We live in a very historic region. We are very blessed to have several institutions in the area that preserve that history so that generations of Texans can learn from our past. One of our local museums is being recognized for their work in preserving the past.

The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum in Cuero has been awarded a special commendation by Preservation Texas, a statewide preservation advocacy organization. According to the Victoria Advocate, the honor is in recognition of the museum's preservation of the former Knights of Pythias Hall, built about 1903. The award also recognizes the volunteer efforts of the museum's board of directors to preserve the heritage of the region's rich ranching legacy, according to a news release from the museum.

"The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum board of directors is grateful for this special commendation awarded by the Preservation Texas honor awards committee," said Robert Oliver, chairman of the museum's board of directors. "There's a great deal of gratification for acknowledging our work to preserve a piece of Cuero's architectural past."

Located in the 300 block of North Esplanade Street in Cuero, the building includes 10,000 square feet on two floors and features creative use of brick work in Romanesque Revival style.

In 1988, the Knights of Pythias Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Cuero Commercial Historic District. In 2003, the Texas Historical Commission awarded the property a Registered Texas Historic Landmark designation.

The special commendation was part of Preservation Texas' annual honor awards presentations.

Preservation Texas announced 10 other awards acknowledging the best of preservation in Texas. The annual honor awards recognizes accomplishments in historic preservation that inspire Texans and encourage them in their efforts to protect the irreplaceable resources of the state, according to the news release. "Preservation Texas recognizes these significant contributions to historic preservation in order to provide local communities the opportunity to honor their preservationists and share their accomplishments," Krista Schreiner Gebbia, executive director of Preservation Texas, said in the news release.

The 2012 Honor Awards were judged by an independent jury of distinguished professionals representing a cross-section of disciplines within the field of historic preservation.