Winners of Texarkana Museums System’s inaugural Texarkana Historic Preservation Awards were honored during an Announcement Party on November 2 at the Museum of Regional History. Receiving awards were: Alec Rommel – Young Historian Award; Dr. Tom Wagy – Collegiate Excellence Award; The Jamison Family – Multi-Cultural Excellence Award; “Remember in Texarkana” by Bill Wisely – Social Butterfly Award; Aaron Brand of the Texarkana Gazette – Power of the Pen Award; Steve Mitchell for KTXK Radio – Broadcast Media Award; Diana and Judge Josh Morriss for the Silvermoon properties – Historic Site Preservation Award; Orr School – Endangers Treasure Award; Mary Collom Fore – Historic Collections Award; and Eddie Shuffield – Wilbur Smith Archivist Medallion.

The bladesmithing school was originally launched in 1988 in partnership with the American Bladesmith Society and was the first of its kind in the world. In July 2019, school officials decided to relocate to the Texarkana College campus to offer more modern amenities while preserving the school’s rich history and proven instructional methods.

For more information about the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, please visit learnbladesmithing.com or call the TC Community & Business Education Center at 903-823-3270.