Smithville’s designation as a Preserve America community was officially feted on Monday at city hall with speeches, handshakes and hugs as supporters gathered to celebrate a milestone event for the community.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett, representing the 25th District of Texas, said the national recognition was worth celebrating.

“This puts Smithville on a national map of designated historical communities,” Doggett said. “The signs along the highway will encourage people to come into town, learn about the community and spend time and money here.”

Receiving the designation was no easy feat, according to mayor Mark Bunte.

“If it wasn’t for the volunteers, so many of them who are in this room today, Smithville would not be where it is today,” Bunte said. “The volunteers bring so much to our community and to the businesses here.”

Doggett also lauded several members of the community who were instrumental in securing the historical designation.

“The fact that there are two historical districts here – residential and commercial – and the fact that in a town of modest size, there are two museums that focus on history is really a testament to how much there is to preserve,” Doggett said.

Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts in the preservation of historical, cultural and natural resources. Goals of the program include a greater shared knowledge of the nations history, strengthening regional identities and local pride and in support for the community’s economic vitality.

Carol Snyder of the Smithville Heritage Society said the commercial historic district is part of six blocks in the downtown area, with 23 structures contributing to the district. It was listed in the national register of historic places in1982.

“In 1996, the National Parks Service notified Cherrell Rose and the Smithville Heritage Society that the residential historic district had been approved,” Snyder said. “I don’t think we realize the size – there are almost 50 blocks in that district and over 185 structures listed.”

Snyder also talked about successfully securing a historical designation for West End Park, an area in the African-American community that was a center of culture and music, and was a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit that brought significant musical talent through the area.

City grants administrator Jill Strube said Preserve America provides opportunities to secure grant funding for a variety of projects that will enhance the community.

“It’s a matching grant program, we pay 50 percent, so we have to find a project that we can afford to do,” Strube said. “But it offers opportunities in planning, development, implementation and enhancement in programs for heritage tourism, adaptive reuse and living history programs. That gives us a lot to work with.”

The official Preserve America signs will be posted along entrances to the city in the next few days. The city received one sign as part of the designation, but Keep Smithville Beautiful chairwoman Catherine Miller knew that wouldn’t be enough.

“The Keep Smithville Beautiful committee bought five additional signs to cover all the major entrances to the city,” Miller said.

Earlier this year, Bunte and his wife Becky visited Washington D.C. and met with Doggett and representatives from Senator Cornyn’s office. In closing the ceremony, Bunte said the visits might have paid off .

“Since May we have received grants totaling about $530,000.” Bunte said.