Best of East Texas Publishers of Lufkin sponsors the “Best of East Texas Award” to individuals and organizations who have shown initiative and ingenuity in preserving the history of East Texas.

The award is presented annually in the county where the recipient lives.
The criteria for the award includes a longtime interest in preserving East Texas history, work on a historical project of significance in the individual’s home county, or notable leadership in historical preservation.

Forms for nominating individual or organizations have been mailed to County Historical Commissions in 49 East Texas counties. The deadine for nominations is February 1 of each year.

Past recipients of the award include Bill O’Neal of Carthage, Eliza Bishop of Crockett, Ralph Wooster of Beaumont, Mattie Dellinger of Center, James Wilkins of Tyler, Max Lale of Marshall, Willie Earl Tindall of San Augustine, and Dan Utley of Austin.

The Award, a replica of a old-fashioned water pump, was designed by noted sculptress Paula Devereau Kurth of Chama and Sante Fe, New Mexico. She has produced statues of the band Alabama, Thomas J. Rusk in Nacogdoches, and Arthur Temple in Diboll.

Best of East Texas Publishers is owned by Bob and Doris Bowman of Lufkin. Mr. Bowman is a current member of the Texas Historical Commisison and past member of both the Texas Sesquicentennial Commission and the Texas Capitol Centennial Commission.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are also former chairs of the Texas Council for the Humanities. Mr. Bowman also writes a weekly historical column for about 70 East Texas newspapers.