On November 20, the Dallas Historical Society celebrated and honored more than a dozen people at the 2014 Awards for Excellence in Community Service at the Fairmont Hotel. It’s the organization’s largest and most important fundraising event to support its educational and preservation programs. “This event recognizes those who have gone above and beyond to give of themselves selflessly to serve,” said Lynn McBee, DHS co-chair.
Stewart Thomas emceed the event as he’s done in the past by thanking Honorary Co-Chairs Lee Cullum and Laura Wilson. Both Cullum and Wilson are former Award for Excellence recipients.
Rev. Dr. Robert S. Dannals gave the invocation, then DHS Co-Chair Allan McBee thanked Event Co-Chairs Margaret and Glenn Solomon. McBee also recognized the DHS trustees by asking them to stand.
Thomas took to the stage to tell about DHS. “The purpose of the Dallas Historical Society is to collect, preserve, publish and exhibit historical material and promote historical inquiry. It’s a collective memory of our community that marks, stores and recalls the important events and people of Dallas.”
Following lunch, the 2014 honorees took to the stage to be recognized.
The distinguished recipients:
Arts Leadership – Kevin Moriarty
Award sponsored by Diane and Hal Brierley
Business – Robert A. Estrada
Award sponsored by Al Hill, Jr. family
Creative Arts – Judy and Patrick Kelly
Award sponsored by Bobby B. Lyle, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gillikin, RWR Investments
Education – Mary and Mike Terry
Award sponsored by David Miller Family Foundation and Friends of Mary and Mike Terry
Health/Science Medicine – Claude B. Prestidge, M.D.
Award sponsored by BaylorScott&White and the Friends of Claude B. Prestidge, M.D.
Humanities – S.M. Wright Foundation
Award sponsored by Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation and Allie Beth and Pierce Allman
Philanthropy – Stuart Bumpas
Award sponsored by Ruth C. and Charles S. Sharp Foundation, Inc. and Linda and Bill Custard
Volunteer Community Leadership – Judy Rorrie
Award sponsored by Stephanie and Hunter Hunt
Jubilee History Makers – Natalie (Schatzie) Lee
Award sponsored by Friends of Natalie (Schatzie) Lee
Following the presentation, McBee offered the customary A.C. Greene Memorial Toast as guests laughed and drank their champagne.
About the Dallas Historical Society:
Established in 1922, the Dallas Historical Society is the preeminent organization of its kind in Dallas, collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the unique heritage of Dallas and Texas to educate and inspire future generations. The stories of Dallas are shared each day through the three million items that comprise its archives and artifact collections. Housed at the Hall of State in Fair Park since 1938, the Society presents these collections through education programs, exhibitions, tours, access to research materials and workshops. Each year, the Dallas Historical Society is visited by more than 160,000 people and serves more than 20,000 students through guided tours and educational programming at the Hall of State, as well as outreach programs at school locations. More information can be found at http://www.dallashistory.org.