https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/county-services/historical-commission

Fort Bend County Historical Commission, 301 Jackson Street, Richmond, TX (2026)

03/12/2026

As we prepare for the upcoming 250th Anniversary of our nation's founding, our Turning 250 Resource Hub is up and running!

It's calendar will be updated as events are planned. Check out the Historical Spotlight or explore the Interactive Map of Historical Markers in Fort Bend County. Our recent winning student essays are also posted.

You may access the site via the link below, or through the QR code.

Link: https://www.fbctx.gov/america-250

Feel free to share these with family and friends and check back often for updates!

02/27/2026

CHASSIDY OLAINU-ALADE NAMED AS 2026 BLEIL AWARD HONOREE BY FORT BEND COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Chassidy Olainu-Alade, the Chief Communications Officer of Fort Bend ISD, will be presented with the 2026 Bert E. Bleil Heritage Award by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission. The award will be presented at a ceremony on Thursday, March 5, 2026 in the Fort Bend Museum located at 410 S. Fifth St. in Richmond, Texas. A “Meet and Greet” reception and “Local History Bingo” event beginning at 5:30 pm will precede the award program. Both the program and the reception are free of charge and open to the public.

The Bleil Award has been presented annually by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission since 2009 to a person or organization for exceptional efforts and achievements in developing and promoting heritage tourism, promoting an awareness of and appreciation for historical preservation, the identification and protection of historic sites and features, and the preservation of historical and cultural resources in Fort Bend County.

The award is named for the late Bert E. Bleil, the former Chair of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, who first envisioned this method of acknowledging exceptional achievements in historic and cultural preservation.

This year’s honoree, Chassidy Olainu-Alade, is a career educator and advocate for Social Studies and History education. Over the course of her twenty years of employment with Fort Bend ISD she has served in many roles, including middle school social studies teacher, instruction coach, and social studies curriculum coordinator. Among her many awards and achievements, in 2021 she was named the Texas Social Studies Supervisor of the Year and she was subsequently recognized in 2022 as the National Social Studies Leader of the Year by the National Social Studies Supervisors Association. From 2019 through 2024, in her role as the Coordinator of Community and Civic Engagement with FBISD, she emerged as a leader of the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project.
During her work focused on the Sugar Land 95 discovery, Mrs. Olainu-Alade has contributed to the adoption of state standards to address convict leasing at the state and local level. In 2020 she led the creation of the Sugar Land 95 Exhibit within the James C. Reese Career and Technical Center, which has welcomed many visitors from across the United States. She dedicates herself to ensuring that the discovery of the Sugar Land 95 serves as a model of transformative memorialization and an example of how addressing hard history can have a healing effect on communities.

Mrs. Olainu-Alade is a long-serving appointee to the Fort Bend County Historical Commission. She actively serves on the Public Affairs Committee and is a member of the Commission’s annual historical essay contest subcommittee. In that capacity she helps select the essay topics for 4th and 7th grade students that live or go to school in Fort Bend County. She also previously served as Chair of the Missouri City Ethics Commission, Board Member of the Fort Bend History Association, and as an Advisory Board Member for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia.

For further information about the Fort Bend County Historical Commission or the Bert E. Bleil Heritage Award please contact:
Chris Godbold, Chair: [email protected]
Patsey McKnight, Secretary: [email protected]
Jeff Hoffman, Treasurer: [email protected]

12/15/2025

HISTORICAL COMMISSION ANNOUNCES 2025 ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once observed “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” Understanding today requires that we educate ourselves about the people and events of yesterday. That is the spirit behind the countywide essay contest sponsored by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission for 4th and 7th grade students.

The essay contest was open to all 4th and 7th grade students who either reside in or go to school in Fort Bend County. In past years the essay contest has centered on themes about the history of Fort Bend County in particular, and Texas in general. However, since next year will be the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, the Commission decided to broaden the themes to be explored by the students this year to include comparisons between elements of both Texas and US history.

The theme of the 4th grade contest this year was “Symbols of Freedom.” Students were asked to compare and contrast the history and meaning behind either the flags, anthems, or pledges of allegiance of the United States and Texas. After choosing which symbol they wanted to investigate, the students prepared essays about when and how the symbol was created and adopted, the meaning behind the symbol or its individual elements, and the extent to which it may have changed over time.

The 7th graders were asked to investigate one of three topics related to the “Struggle for Independence” by both the United States and Texas. They were asked to compare and contrast either George Washington and Sam Houston as military and political leaders, the preambles to both the US and Texas Declarations of Independence, or the causes of both the US and Texas Revolutionary Wars.

The winning 4th grade essay, comparing The Star Spangled Banner with Texas, Our Texas, was submitted by Thrishaan Varun from International Leadership of Texas, Richmond. The second place essay for 4th grade, by Aadhinarayan J. Arun from Donald Leonetti Elementary School, compared and contrasted the Stars and Stripes flag with the Lone Star flag as its topic. The 4th grade essays were judged by history students from Wharton County Junior College under the supervision of Dr. Paul N. Spellman.

Students from Everest Academy swept the 7th grade essay contest this year. The winning 7th grade essay, by Nouray Baloch, investigated the causes of the American Revolution with the Texas War for Independence. Second place was won by Zaynab Meghani, with an essay titled ”Voices of Independence”, which compared the preambles of both the Texas and US Declarations of Independence. The 7th grade essays were judged by history professors Theresa Jach and Nicholas Cox at Houston Community College.

1st place winners received a $250 prize and 2nd place winners received a $150 prize. The prizes were provided by the Friends of Fort Bend County Historical Commission, a 501 (c)(3) organization that supports the work of the Commission. Additionally, Dr. Spellman presented each of their schools with a copy of his landmark book, “Old 300: Gone To Texas.” He also provided the schools of the 4th grade winners with a copy of his Adventures of Henry Woods series, written specifically for 4th grade students.

A copy of the winning essays may be viewed on the Fort Bend County Historical Commission page. Follow FBCHC at:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Fort-Bend-County-Historical-Commission-100079977860308/

Commission leadership would like to express their special appreciation to Dr. Spellman and his students, Theresa Jach and Nicholas Cox, as well as the school administrators, teachers and parents of the participating students without whose encouragement and guidance the contest would not be possible. Additionally, the Commission would like to note the financial support provided by the Friends of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission and the efforts of commissioners Linda Burks and Chassidy Olainu-Alade, both of whom played crucial roles in the development of the essay topics and promoting the essay project throughout the County. Finally, the Commission wishes to express its appreciation to the Fort Bend History Association and the Fort Bend County Libraries for making their resources available for the participating students.

The Fort Bend County Historical Commission is an all-volunteer organization whose membership is appointed by the Fort Bend County Commissioners’ Court.

For further information about the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, the essay contest, or planning for future activities, interested parties may contact:

Chris Godbold, Chair: [email protected]
Patsey McKnight, Secretary: [email protected]
Jeff Hoffman, Treasurer: [email protected]

Photo 1 – Everest Academy School 1 Caption:
Left-Right: Hadia Meghani, Zaynab Meghani (2nd place-7th grade), Noman Meghani, Linda Burks (FBCHC Commissioner), Sidra Khalid, Nuray Baloch (1st place-7th grade), Chris Godbold (FBCHC Chair (Photo courtesy of Jeff Hoffman)

Photo 2 – Everest Academy School 2 Caption:
Left-Right: Farah Naz (Principal, Everest Academy), Linda Burks (FBCHC Commissioner), Chris Godbold (FBCHC Chair)

Photo 3 - International Leadership of Texas, Richmond Campus Caption:
Left-Right: Luisana Martinez (4th Grade Administrator), Alex Klondike (Media Specialist), Chris Godbold (FBCHC Chair), Rama Rajagopal, Thrishaan Varun, Varun K. Thiyagarajan, Deanna Woollen (Principal), and Joseph Elkhadem (Asst. Principal)(photo courtesy of Jeff Hoffman)

Photo 4 – Donald Leonetti Elementary School Caption:
Left-Right: Dr. Paul Spellman, Tami Perez (Librarian), Chris Godbold (FBCHC Chair), Andrea Sentell (4th grade ELA), Arun Babu Valiual, Aadhinarayan Arun, Jemini Pillai, Danica Fletcher (Principal), Vanessa John (Asst. Principal), Linda Burks (FBCHC Commissioner), Bruce Lemmie (FBCHC Commissioner), and Jennifer Sexton (4th Grade Math)(photo courtesy of Jeff Hoffman)

09/02/2025

It's time for the Fort Bend County Historical Commission's Annual Essay Contest! Topics for our 4th grade and 7th grade participants give a nod to next year's 250th Anniversary of our Nation's founding. The topics and general rules are in the posted flyer and more detailed information, including some recommended resources for research are below.

Cash prizes are awarded and all entries are due October 31st, so it's time to get started!

We look forward to seeing some outstanding essays!

RULES
1. The contest is open to all 4th and 7th grade students that live or attend school in Fort Bend County.
2. Essays should be created using 12 point type in Times New Roman font.
3. Essays should be submitted in pdf format via email to: [email protected]
4.Essays must be received by 5:00 pm on October 31, 2025
5. 4th Grade Essays should be between 500 – 750 words (2-3 pages)
6. 7th Grade Essays should be between 750 – 1000 words (3-4 pages)
7. All essays must contain a bibliography with at least 4 references, at least 2 of which are primary. The Bibliography is not part of the word count.
8. All essays must contain a title page with the name of the student, the title of the essay, and the name of the school, or home address if homeschooled. Please also include the name and contact information (email or telephone number) for a parent or guardian. The title page is not part of the word count. Essays may also contain one page of images, photographs, or original art related to the research topic, including image citations or descriptions.
9. 4th Grade Essay Topic: Symbols of Freedom – Compare and contrast the history and meaning of one of the following symbols of the United States and Texas:

• The Flag of the United States (“Stars and Stripes”) vs. the Flag of the State of Texas (“Lone Star”);

•The Anthem of the United States (“Star Spangled Banner”) vs the Anthem of the State of Texas (“Texas, Our Texas”);

•The United States Pledge of Allegiance vs. The State of Texas Pledge of Allegiance.

Essays should include information about when the symbol was created and adopted, what the words or elements of the symbol mean, and how the symbol has changed over time, if applicable.
2025 ESSAY CONTEST RULES & RESOURCES

10. 7th Grade Essay Topic: The Struggle for Independence – Compare and contrast one of the following elements in the struggle for independence of the United States with the Republic of Texas:

•George Washington vs. Sam Houston as military and political leaders;

•The Preamble to the United States Declaration of Independence vs. the Preamble to the Texas Declaration of Independence;

•The causes of the American Revolution vs. the causes of the Texas War for Independence.

Students should include specific examples of dates, places, individuals, and events that represent or reflect the student’s point of view with respect to the chosen topic.

ESSAY CONTEST RESOURCES
The following are some suggested resources for the start of student’s research into the topics. It is expected that the student will conduct his/her own independent research beyond these resources. For additional resources please visit the George Memorial Library, your local Fort Bend County Library Branch, your school library and the Fort Bend County Museum.

4th GRADE ESSAY RESOURCES

“Stars and Stripes” vs. “Lone Star”:
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/flags-of-texas
https://texasproud.com/texas-state-flag/
https://www.texashistorypage.com/Origin-of-the-Lone-Star-Flag.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States
https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/old-glory/
“Star Spangled Banner” vs. “Texas, Our Texas”:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner
https://www.history.com/articles/the-star-spangled-banner
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas,_Our_Texas
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/texas-our-texas
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/how-did-texas-our-texas-become-the-official-state-song/
U.S. Pledge of Allegiance vs. Texas Pledge of Allegiance:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance
https://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm?srsltid=AfmBOooUJuvBSh_I-kEm9GEgOwKc1a8KxBgnbsK1dG9gU9j8VU8c6b4w
https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ref/abouttx/flagpledge
https://www.srttexas.org/assets/pdf/TexasFlag.pdf

7th GRADE ESSAY RESOURCES
George Washington vs. Sam Houston:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington
https://www.history.com/articles/george-washington
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/george-washington
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Houston
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/houston-sam
Preamble to US Constitution vs. Preamble to Texas Constitution:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CONAN-2022/pdf/GPO-CONAN-2022-7.pdf
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/stylistic-artistry-of-the-declaration
https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/republic/declare-01.html
https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/artifacts/texas-declaration-of-independence
https://txarchives.org/tslac/finding_aids/70067.xml
Causes of US Revolution vs. Causes of Texas War of Independence:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War
https://www.history.com/articles/american-revolution-causes
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/patriotsday-events-leading-american-revolution/
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/texas-revolution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Revolution

06/25/2025

On Juneteenth, members of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission (FBCHC) joined Fort Bend ISD, the Friends of the Sugar Land 95, and descendants in a powerful ceremony to unveil and dedicate the historical marker for the “Sugar Land 95” State Convict Lease Labor Camp Cemetery at the James Reese Career and Technical Center. Local and state officials honored the moment with special proclamations, and descendants of the Sugar Land 95 led the unveiling of the marker—bringing this history to the forefront of the community. Following the dedication, FBCHC participated in the Friends & Family Celebration, sharing information about its preservation work across the county and promoting the Turning 250 Committee, which is planning Fort Bend County’s role in the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

06/21/2025

The latest historical marker dedication in Fort Bend County. It is an important story to tell. Work is still ongoing in finding descendants, putting names with remains and making the site a truly commemorative and educational space.

05/14/2025

The FBCHC will hold its quarterly business meeting at 3:00 pm, Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the Gus George Police Academy Conference Room, 1521 Eugene Heimann Dr., in Richmond.

Additionally, Fort Bend Museum Exhibit Coordinator, Mallory Ransom, will present “Elegance & Practicality: Texas Fashion Through The Years” exploring the stories, trends, and transformations that have shaped Texas fashion. Free and open to the public.

03/11/2025

For Immediate Release:
JUDGE ROBERT E. “BOB” HEBERT AND PATRICIA HEBERT NAMED AS 2025 BLEIL AWARD HONOREES

The Fort Bend County Historical Commission has selected former Fort Bend County Judge Robert E. “Bob” Hebert and Patricia “Pat” Hebert as the 2025 Bert E. Bleil Award recipients. The award will be presented at a ceremony on Thursday, March 20, 2025 in the Fort Bend Museum located at 410 S. Fifth St. in Richmond, Texas. A “Meet and Greet” reception beginning at 5:30 pm will precede the award program. This year’s program will include an entertaining political debate between “Sam Houston” and “Mirabeau B. Lamar” concerning several topics of interest at the founding of the Republic of Texas. Both the program and the reception are free of charge and open to the public.

The Bleil Award has been presented annually by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission since 2009 to people or organizations for exceptional efforts and achievements in developing and promoting heritage tourism, promoting an awareness of and appreciation for historical preservation, the identification and protection of historic sites and features, and the preservation of historical and cultural resources in Fort Bend County.

The award is named for the late Bert E. Bleil, the former Chair of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, who first envisioned this method of acknowledging exceptional achievements in historic and cultural preservation.

The Heberts have a long history of involvement in Fort Bend politics and charitable efforts, including efforts to preserve and protect many of the County’s historical structures and promoting Fort Bend history. After graduating from Pampa High School in the Texas Panhandle, Judge Hebert joined the US Navy as an aviator and was stationed in Hawaii. He and Patricia met while he was assigned to the University of Texas and they have been married over 60 years. In 1972 the Heberts started a company that became known as Eco Resources to operate utility districts providing water and sewer services. Judge Hebert recently served as CEO of Fort Bend Seniors Meals On Wheels, a charitable organization serving over 2300 senior citizens annually in Fort Bend and Waller Counties.
Judge Hebert became involved in politics at the urging of Pat, when he ran for and was elected to his neighborhood homeowners association. With Pat’s active encouragement and support he went on the serve as the President of the Alief ISD School Board, the City Manager of Rosenberg, the Temporary Receiver for the City of Arcola, and as Fort Bend County Judge from 2003 to 2018.
During his service as Fort Bend County Judge, Judge Hebert was very supportive of the work done by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission. One of his crowning achievements in public service was the preservation of the historic courthouse in Richmond. The “Old Courthouse” has been called “one of the strongest examples of ‘Texas Renaissance’ style …well suited for civic buildings, imparting a noble sensibility to modestly sized buildings.” The beautiful rotunda in the center of the building, the iron staircase with its open filagree rails, and the original district courtroom on the second floor, with its third floor balcony might not exist today were it not for the vision and hard work of Judge Hebert. The “Old Courthouse” continues to serve as the seat of Fort Bend County government and its historic courtroom continues to serve as a ceremonial space for County events.

After graduating from Bellaire High School in Houston, Patricia went to the University of Texas and majored in education. She met Bob her junior year in college, got married, and moved to Hawaii where he was stationed. After Bob completed his Navy enlistment they moved back to Houston. Pat was very active in Eco Resources. Pat began her civic engagement when she was elected the President of her daughter’s PTA at Boone Elementary in Alief. Pat has also worked hard to help preserve, protect, and promote the history of Fort Bend County. She served as a docent at the Fort Bend Museum for many years, giving tours of the Moore Home, helping to decorate the home for the Candlelight Tour, and demonstrating cotton spinning to school children. When Bob became County Judge, Pat served on the Board of the Fort Bend History Association, ultimately serving as its President. She also served as Chair of Texian Market Days for several years, helping to institute reenactments of Fort Bend history during that event. Pat also was appointed as a Commissioner on the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, serving on the Historic Cemetery committee for many years. She estimates she has helped raise well over a million dollars for a variety of Fort Bend County civic and charitable organizations.

In recognition of the Heberts’ long political involvement, and in light of the sometimes rough and tumble of political life in Fort Bend County, the Fort Bend County Historical Commission is sponsoring a political “debate” to discuss some of the more divisive issues facing the Republic of Texas from its earliest days. Presenting the views of Sam Houston, the first elected President of the Republic of Texas, will be Professor Nicholas Cox from Houston Community College. The opposing views of Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second elected President of the Republic of Texas, will be presented by Professor Paul Spellman from Wharton County Junior College.

For further information about the Fort Bend County Historical Commission or the Bert E. Bleil Heritage Award please contact:

Chris Godbold, Chair: [email protected]
Ana Alicia Acosta, Vice-Chair: [email protected]
Patsey McKnight, Secretary: [email protected]
Jeff Hoffman, Treasurer: [email protected]

02/19/2025

2025 Commissioner of the Year Award

Congratulations to Linda Burks!

Linda was honored as the Fort Bend County Historical Commission’s Commissioner of the Year for 2025 for her dedication towards further preserving Fort Bend County History. Linda is pictured here with Chris Godbold, FBCHC Chairman as he presented the award at yesterday’s quarterly meeting.

02/13/2025

COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEETING SET

The Fort Bend County Historical Commission has scheduled its next quarterly meeting for 3:00 pm, Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the Gus George Police Academy Conference Room located at 1521 Eugene Heimann Cir., Richmond, Texas.

The Historical Commission is a part of Fort Bend County government tasked with advising the County on matters of historic significance as well as encouraging historical awareness and appreciation within the county, promoting historic preservation, and helping protect historic and cultural treasures. The Commission conducts surveys of the county’s historical buildings, sites, cemeteries, and other historic features and assists individuals and organizations in applying for historical markers. Commissioners are volunteers appointed by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court and report to the County Commissioners and the Texas

The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information contact:
Chris Godbold, Chair: [email protected]
Ferrel Bonner, Vice-Chair: [email protected]
Claire Rogers, Secretary: [email protected]
Jeff Hoffman, Treasurer: [email protected]

01/15/2025

January 1839 was an auspicious month for Mirabeau B. Lamar, President of the Republic of Texas. A little over month since his inauguration, two bills were passed that cemented his legacy in Texas. The first, on January 25, 1839, adopted the Lone Star flag as the official flag of the Republic of Texas. This flag became the State Flag of Texas when Texas joined the United States in 1845 and is the same flag that proudly waves over the state today.

The second was Lamar’s brainchild. He was committed to securing a public education system for Texas. He proposed that land be set aside as an endowment for public schools and two universities. The act was passed on January 26, 1839 and the day is now celebrated as Lamar Day. It took decades for the system to become a reality but the foundations were set. The two universities became the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. In one of his messages to the Congress of the Republic urging support for his proposal, Lamar said that “Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.” This has become the motto of the University of Texas. Lamar is known as the “Father of Texas Education.”

Lamar Day is celebrated on or around January 26 every year at his grave in Morton Cemetery in Richmond!

Fort Bend County Historical Commission

03/12/2026

02/27/2026

12/15/2025

09/02/2025

06/25/2025

06/21/2025

05/14/2025

03/11/2025

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01/15/2025

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