* Franklin County Historical Association *

You are visiting the web site of the Franklin County Historical Association.  At this time the site features a wealth of information about Franklin County, Texas, and its county seat, Mount Vernon.  Photos and illustrations will be added over time to make the site more interesting for the eye, but already it should be a joy to the inquiring mind.  Check out the site's pages for a variety of offerings from the greatest little county in the big state of Texas.  If you have a digital image of one of the sites mentioned and would be willing to share it with others here, send it to

webmaster@fcha-online.org

What You Will Find on This Page:

A Listing of the Members of the Board of Directors and the Officers of the FCHA, The Organization's Mission Statement, and Its Goals and Objectives 

Members of the Board of Directors  

  • Jim Johnson 2009
  • B.F. Hicks 2009
  • John Tutor 2009  
  • Gary Strange 2010
  • Elease Hubbell 2010
  • Martha Hare 2010
  • Betsy Cook 2011
  • Lu Butler 2011
  • Nicki Armstrong 2011

Officers for 2008

  • President John Stephenson 
  • First Vice President J.D. Baumgardner
  • Second Vice President Nancy Miller
  • Third Vice President Norman G. Horn 
  • Forth Vice President Jean Ann Marshall
  • Secretary Lillie Bush Reves 
  • Treasurer Mary Lou Russell 
  • Newsletter Editor Elaine Thomas 

These were elected unanimously January 7, 2008, at the annual membership meeting, held in the Old Church Inn, to serve until the January 2009 annual membership meeting.

Committees - Join Today! 

  • Nominating
  • Special Events (Jean Ann Marshall, Chair)
  • Dupree Park and West End Preserve (B. F. Hicks, Chair)
  • Yearbook and Newsletter
  • Library (Tom Wilkinson, Chair)
  • Maintenance (Subcommittee for Each Property)
  • Historic Signs and Markers
  • Birding, Nature, Early Roads, and Indian Trails
  • Accessions (Jean Ann Marshall, Chair)
  • Volunteer Coordination and Recognition (Frankie Cooper, Chair)
  • Membership
  • Clean It Up 2007 (John Stephenson, Chair)
  • VIP Implementation/Coordination (John Stephenson, Chair)
  • Tourism Development (J. D. Baumgardner, Chair)
  • Finance and Budget (Betsy Cook, Chair)
  • Cemetery Recognition (B. F. Hicks, Chair)
  • Educational Outreach (Mary Lou Russell, Chair)
  • Publicity and Public Relations

Mission Statement

Our mission is to preserve our natural and cultural heritage.

We will promote our mission by striving for four goals:

1. We will further appreciation and preservation of our heritage through involvement of all ethnic groups in our community in our endeavors.

2. We will endeavor to promote the economy of our county and community through a special emphasis on heritage tourism.

3. We will act to acquire, maintain, and preserve artifacts and records of historic significance, as well as provide museums and exhibit areas to display and promote education and heritage tourism in Franklin County.

4. We will promote the participation of our youth in the activities of this association; we will strive through education to further appreciation of our natural and cultural heritage; we will serve as leaders to assure the youth of today carry our mission forward in generations to come.

Goals and Objectives

1. All projects, exhibits and educational processes will relate to people, items, or events of historical significance to Franklin County. Artifacts and records will be determined to be of historic significance if they are 50 years or older. Homes and farmsteads will be determined to be of historic significance if built prior to 1918.

2. All projects will be prepared with a "Do It Right The First Time" mindset.

3. All projects will conform to the requirements specified by the Board of Directors.

4. Artifacts, records and, property which cannot immediately be determined to meet "historic significance" criteria will be reviewed by a committee to ascertain their historic value.

5. Develop, educate, and recognize employees and volunteer workforce.

6. Maintain all properties and grounds to set an example of "excellence."

7. Promote an attitude of pride within the community.

8. Recognize historic homes in Franklin County with historical signs if homed str maintained in the image consistent with our goals.

9. Acknowledge all donations by letter with a Gift of Deed document signed by the donor and an FCHA representative.

10. Review goals and objectives annually.