TLTA Honored for Helping to Preserve Courthouses

September 24, 2009

The Texas Land Title Association recently received an Award of Excellence for the 2009 Associations Advance America Awards program, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association Leadership, Washington, D.C. TLTA is one of 17 organizations nationally to receive this distinguished award.

TLTA received the award for its sponsorship of the Texas Courthouse Stewardship Initiative. Created by the Texas Historical Commission (THC), the program is designed to promote the ongoing, regular maintenance of Texas’ historic county courthouses. The stewardship program consists of site visits by THC architects, annual educational and training workshops for county judges and maintenance workers to address issues like inspecting the exterior, identifying mechanical malfunctions and budgeting for maintenance and an annual award for stewardship excellence.

Now in its 19th year, the prestigious Association Advance America (AAA) Awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward – with innovative projects in citizenship and community service. Although association activities have a powerful impact on everyday life, they often go unnoticed by the general public.

History of Texas Courthouse Stewardship Initiative

In the late 1990’s Texas’ historic courthouses were placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.” The Texas Legislature responded by establishing the Texas Courthouse Preservation Program and appointed funding to preserve and protect the state’s historic courthouses. For the last four years, TLTA has partnered with THC by providing grant money for the stewardship program to avoid having the restored courthouses fall into disrepair in the future.

“The Texas Title Industry has a long and symbolic relationship with our county courthouses, so in 2005, when the Texas Historical Commission asked TLTA to support the Texas Courthouse Stewardship Initiative, it only seemed natural that we accept.” Leslie Midgley, TLTA Executive Vice-President said.


Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org.