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.

The deadline 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.