Austin, TX - The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized Paula Ross, former chair of the Collin County Historical Commission, as the 2025 recipient of the John Ben Shepperd County Historical Commission Leadership Award.
The award acknowledges a County Historical Commission (CHC) chairperson who displays the outstanding individual leadership needed to carry out an aggressive and well-balanced preservation program. It is one of 10 annual THC Preservation Awards recognizing individuals and organizations involved in various aspects of historic preservation.
Paula Ross served as chair of the Collin CHC from 2012 to 2023. During her tenure, Collin CHC received 11 Distinguished Service Awards for its historic preservation programs.
Notable projects under Ross’ leadership included the Collin County Historical Asset Survey, Collin County Historic Property Tax Abatement Program, and Collin CHC's grant program. Ross chaired Collin CHC’s Educational Committee, which was a recipient of the THC’s Award of Excellence in Preserving History for its “Carry Along Collin” program. She also serves as president of the Allen Heritage Guild, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the city of Allen’s history.
About Preservation Awards
The THC Preservation Awards recognize and honor those who have committed themselves to saving the real places and real stories of Texas. The awards celebrate their accomplishments and exemplary leadership in the preservation of Texas’ heritage.
The awards will be presented at the THC’s Real Places 2026 conference, April 8-10, in Austin and online. Presented by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction, LLC, Real Places is the premier historic preservation and heritage tourism event in the Lone Star State. It offers world-class sessions, workshops, tours, special events, entertainment, and networking activities, while bringing together many different audiences under the banners of history, heritage, and preservation.
About the Texas Historical Commission
The THC manages 42 state historic sites, the Texas Heritage Trails Program, Texas Main Street Program, and many more heritage tourism and historic preservation initiatives across the state. For more information, visit thc.texas.gov.