H.R. No. 2474
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Susan Weaver has retired as director of the Depot
Museum in Henderson, and it is indeed fitting to recognize her for
her three decades of distinguished service at this noteworthy
institution; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Ms. Weaver began volunteering at the Depot
Museum, which consisted of one building on an acre of land; as
attendance grew, the museum's limited hours were expanded, and
within five years, she was working on a full-time basis; she led the
institution through decades of sustained growth, and with the
assistance of the Rusk County Historical Commission and committed
citizens, it now occupies 11 structures on five acres; through her
expertise in grant writing, the museum obtained significant awards
from such organizations as the Meadows Foundation and Texas
Folklife Resources; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Weaver guided the evolution of the annual quilt
show into the Folkart Preservation Project, which received a
prestigious commendation from the American Association for State
and Local History; the program features demonstrations and
instruction from masters of weaving, spinning, knife making,
blacksmithing, and other crafts; popular events supported by the
museum include Heritage Folkart Day, a two-day educational
experience that has introduced thousands of schoolchildren to their
county's history, and the Heritage Syrup Festival, which draws some
20,000 people annually; the museum regularly offers quilting bees
and workshops in such crafts as wood carving; and
WHEREAS, A tireless supporter of Henderson, Ms. Weaver has
promoted tourism by giving generously of her time and talents to the
Henderson Candlelight Tour and the Rusk County Home Tour; in 2000,
Ms. Weaver cofounded the East Texas Wildflower Trails, a driving
tour that takes visitors to historic spots as they enjoy viewing the
coreopsis in bloom; moreover, she is a member of the Main Street
Landmark Committee and the Main Street Advisory Board, and served
as secretary and chair of the latter's organization committee; she
also served as chair of the chamber of commerce tourism committee,
as an officer of the Howard Dickinson House, and on the board of the
Texas Forest Trail; and
WHEREAS, Through her vision and dedication, Susan Weaver has
helped preserve the history and culture of Rusk County and enhance
knowledge of folk arts, giving area residents increased pride in
their East Texas heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Susan Weaver on her retirement as
director of the Depot Museum in Henderson and extend to her best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Weaver as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Hopson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2474 was adopted by the House on May
28, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House