Preservation Celebration guests, including Audie Murphy’s nieces and guest speaker Bryon Wiebold, walk the red carpet Saturday, April 25, in Farmersville. Courtesy Ben Cardon

A nod to the city’s deep-rooted history took center stage last week as the Collin County Historical Commission hosted its annual Preservation Celebration and awards ceremony at Farmersville High School.

Presented by the Collin County Historical Commission and hosted by the Farmersville Heritage Museum and the Farmersville Historical Society, the event brought together historians, community leaders and preservation advocates from across the county.

Guests enjoyed breakfast appetizers and a brunch inspired by historic Farmersville cookbooks, along with specialty coffees, prior to the Saturday, April 25, program. The event opened with a welcome from event chair Misty Wiebold, who, as chair of the Farmersville Heritage Museum, carried the preservation theme throughout—from table runners featuring historic photographs to centerpieces of liatris, a Texas native wildflower.

Eric Hogue, chair of the Collin County Historical Commission, delivered opening remarks and introduced Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector Scott Grigg for the county welcome. The invocation was led by Richard Holbrook of Farmersville, and pledges were presented by Farmersville Boy Scout Troop 310. 

Several awards were presented recognizing contributions to preservation and historical education. Katie Dunham, a Plano parks and recreation member, received the Collin McKinney Achievement Award. Lacinda Russell of the Weston Heritage Guild earned the Excellence in Historical Education Award, while Tyler Hoskins of HOS Scans LLC received the Leadership in Preservation Award. Reed Foley of the Collin County History Museum was named a Young Visionaries recipient.

Farmersville resident Linda Hess, a member of the Farmersville Historical Society, was honored with the Living Legacy of Collin County Award. 

“I appreciate so much being honored with the Living Legacy Award of Collin County. When I became a member of the Collin County Historical Commission 24 years ago, I never dreamed of this day,” Hess said. “It has been an honor researching the history of sites and people in Collin County. I am so thankful that I was able to preserve a little history!”

Paula Ross of the Allen Heritage Guild was recognized for her continued contributions and her recent honor, the Texas Historical Commission’s John Ben Shepperd County Historical Commission Leadership Award. 

Keynote speaker Bryon Wiebold, former mayor of Farmersville, delivered remarks highlighting the people, places and institutions that have shaped the city’s legacy since its incorporation in 1873. He opened by recognizing descendants of notable Farmersville families in attendance, including relatives of Audie Murphy, the McCraw Candy Company family and members of the Rike family, among others.

“In a small place, truly big things can happen,” Wiebold said, pointing to notable figures with local ties, including world champion bronc rider Monty “Hawkeye” Henson, jazz guitarist Herb Ellis and drill team pioneer Gussie Nell Davis.

He also reflected on the legacy of Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier of World War II, noting the impact of his roots in the community. 

“Audie Murphy carried Farmersville with him across the world,” Wiebold said.

Bryon Wiebold emphasized the role of downtown Farmersville and its longstanding businesses in shaping the town’s identity, along with the importance of preserving everyday stories. He specifically recognized The Farmersville Times as the oldest continuously operating newspaper in Collin County, noting its role in documenting generations of local history.

“The Farmersville Times didn’t just report history — it lived it,” he said, adding that the publication has ensured the community’s stories are preserved for future generations.

He closed by encouraging attendees to remain invested in their own communities, stressing that preservation is a shared responsibility.

“When small towns decide that their story matters … they don’t just survive. They lead. They inspire. And they endure,” he said.

Misty Wiebold said the 19th annual Preservation Celebration highlighted the county’s ongoing commitment to preserving its shared history, recognizing both outstanding efforts and the thousands of volunteer hours that support those initiatives each year.

“It was especially meaningful to gather in Farmersville this year, highlighting not only the rich history of the city, proudly known as ‘A Texas Treasure,’ but also the broader heritage of Collin County and the many individuals whose dedication ensures these stories endure,” Misty Wiebold said.

The Collin County Historical Commission serves as the county’s official representative of the Texas Historical Commission. The 20-member body, appointed by the Collin County Commissioners Court, supports preservation and education efforts across the county.

Stay informed, and support your local community newspaper, subscribe to The Farmersville Times