Historical Commission accepting preservation grant applications

The Milam County Historical Commission is accepting applications for 2016 preservation grants, Geri Burnett, chair of the Milam County Historical Commission Preservation Grant Committee, announced.
Applications for funding are available in Cameron at the office of County Judge David Barkemeyer, in Rockdale at Rainbow Courts, and on the website of the Milam County Historical Commission. Completed applications must be turned in by Jan. 3, 2016, according to Burnett.
This is the eighth year of funding for the Preservation Trust fund. Total preservation work accomplished with these funds is $199,000.
“We believe that this is a real preservation accomplishment for Milam County,” Burnett said.
To date grants have been awarded for La Esquelita, Master Naturalists, Gause Community Center, Pin Oak Cemetery, Milam County Museum, Kay Theater, Rockdale Historical Society, Courthouse Marker, Bailey Bank in Milano, Milam County Tourism Map, CLG Committee of MCHC, Rockdale Downtown Association, SPJST Lodge 15 in Buckholts, El Camino Real NTA, Thorndale Chamber, Apache Pass Marker, Sugarloaf Mountain, St. Monica’s Catholic Church, Gause United Methodist Church, and San Gabriel Christian Church.
In previous years, Preservation Grants have been funded by the City of Rockdale (for seven years), Milam County (for seven years), the City of Thorndale (for four years), City of Buckholts (for two years), and the citizens of Gause (for eight years). Funding for 2016 is provided by the City of Thorndale and the citizens of Gause.
This innovative grant program began in 2008.