LCRA awards $18,096 for Llano museum
Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP) and the City of Llano award an $18,096 grant on Friday, April 22, to the Llano County Historical Society for new climate control equipment and lighting. In front, from left, are: Mike Reagor, Llano mayor and Llano County Historical Society board member; Billy Click and JoAnn McDougall, society board member; JoAnn McDougall, society board secretary; Judy Miller, society reporter; Lori A. Berger, LCRA board member; Charles Wendt, society board president; Hudson Long, society board member; Martha Long, society board director; and Stan Weik. LCRA CDPP committee member. On the back row, from left, are: Carl Shannon and Gerry Martin, society board members; Rhonda Perkins, society board treasurer; Steve Dyer, LCRA governmental affairs representative, and Jerry Hilbun, society board member.
The Llano County Historical Society will be able to purchase new climate control equipment and lighting for its facility thanks to an $18,096 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Community Development Partnership Program (CDPP) and the City of Llano.
The historical society will buy two new air conditioners and two commercial ceiling fans to better cool and circulate air in the museum, and LED lighting fixtures to better illuminate the exhibit area.
Llano County Historical Society Board Director Martha Long said providing a comfortable viewing experience and preserving the artifacts entrusted to the museum’s care are paramount.
“Our air conditioners are 29 years old and 15 years old, respectively, and it’s become expensive to maintain them for the poor job they do now to move and cool the air,” she said. “The new lighting will eliminate shadows and dark corners in the exhibit area and greatly improve the light in the area around the chuck wagon display. We also hope these improvements will help encourage more community members to not only visit, but increase donations of time, money and exhibits to the museum.”
The museum has been housed in the historic Bruhl’s Drugstore building since 1968. More than 2,700 people visited the museum last year. Long emphasized the museum is a key part of the historic and scenic attractions in Llano.
“The museum is two blocks from the Llano County Courthouse square and within walking distance of the Railroad District and Badu and Crenwelge parks,’’ she said. “The parks host numerous events and festivals. We’d like the museum to be able to fully participate, and even take the lead, in certain city events when it is modernized.”
The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA's Community Development Partnership Program. The program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA's electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA's effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Llano is one of LCRA's wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants are due July. 31. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; ensuring a clean, reliable water supply; and offering access to nature at more than 40 parks, recreation areas and river access sites along the Texas Colorado River, from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. The organization neither levies taxes nor receives tax money. For more information, visit LCRA.org.
