(Press release)

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Historical Commission (THC) recently recognized Elizabeth Torrence of Bosque County with the Ruth Lester Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor was presented during a special awards dinner Thursday, April 16 at the THC’s 2009 Annual Historic Preservation Conference in Lakeway. The award is named for pioneering Texas preservationist Ruth Lester of Jefferson and recognizes an individual who has made a significant, long-term contribution to historic preservation in Texas.

“Elizabeth Torrence has consistently proven her commitment to saving the real places of Texas,” said THC Executive Director Larry Oaks. “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.”

Torrence served as chairwoman of the Bosque County Historical Commission (CHC) from 1983 until her retirement in 2004 and was responsible for instilling a strong sense of purpose and mission to the organization. One of her key accomplishments was serving as director of the Bosque County Collection, a collection of archives that were carefully catalogued, preserved and stored to conserve the county’s history for future generations. The significance of the Bosque County Collection led to the eventual purchase and renovation of the J.J. Lumpkin building, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in downtown Meridian to house the growing archives. Currently the collection is home to more than 2,000 photographs, diaries and personal papers from the 1860s, oral histories, maps, and census records representing one of the finest archival collections in Texas.

Torrence was also instrumental in the restoration of the Bosque County Courthouse, the historical marker campaign and publishing two volumes of cemetery listings. From 1988–1992, Torrence served on the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board, a position she was appointed to by Gov. Ann Richards. She is also the recipient of several awards including the THC’s George Christian Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award in 2004 and the Texas Award for Historic Preservation in 1992. Although she officially retired in 2004, Torrence has continued to write weekly articles about county history for the three Bosque County newspapers. She serves as Historian Emeritus of the Bosque County Historical Commission.

For more information about THC awards, visit www.thc.state.tx.us or contact the agency’s History Programs Division at 512.463.5853. To view a video highlighting Torrence’s accomplishments, visit the Bosque County Collection’s web site at www.bosquecountycollection.org.