WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS HONOR LOCAL HISTORICAL COMMISSION, DR. WILFRED DIETRICH

Josh Blaschke June 25, 2019

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Members of the Washington County Historical Commission (WCHC) were recognized during commissioners court today (Tuesday).

(in front, from left): Washington County Historical Commission Chairman John Barton, County Judge John Durrenberger, Teddy Boehm, Mary Tom Middlebrew, Tom Stevens, Becky Barton.

The commission was given the 2018 Texas Historical Commission’s Distinguished Service Award. The award represents the local commission’s efforts in ongoing programs of history and preservation-related projects that enrich local communities. WCHC Chairman John Barton said the Commission has received this award for the last 16 years.

As the Commission was presented the award, a moment of silence was given for the late Dr. Wilfred Dietrich, past chairman of the commission.

Commissioner Joy Fuchs said it was appropriate that the commission received the award today, shortly after the passing of Dr. Dietrich, who she said was “the glue” for the commission for so many years. She added he was “a great contributor to our community”.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said Dr. Dietrich loved this community and wanted the history of it preserved. He said he will definitely have a legacy in Washington County, and will be remembered for a very long time for his work with and through the commission.

Commissioner Don Koester added it was an honor to serve with Dr. Dietrich in the short time he’s been here, and said he’s honored to be a member of the commission.

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Josh Blaschke June 25, 2019

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In 2014 Dr. Dietrich contacted me about applying for a Historical Marker for the Burton ISD Auditorium. He expressed a desire to promote Burton history out of his experience with Burton citizens while a young educator. I found several books in the collection left by previous Superintendents. By accident, I discovered the architect, last name of Broesche, was a friend of my wife’s family. He designed the church my mother in law was married in.

With Mr. Deitrich’s assistance, we put together a narrative describing the local materials, managers and design used in the building. Mr. Dietrich took the documents and expedited the process. The Burton ISD Board approved of spending district funds to pay for the sign hardware, if needed. A “buy a brick” campaign was started to finance the cost. Several former students, their families and current local citizens purchased bricks with family members names and dates. The bricks were installed around the marker in front of the Old Auditorium. Additional ones were installed at the elementary site. The Marker was paid for with those funds.

The interest in preserving the old Auditorium began with that project. From there, the Board began inquiring about the cost of renovating the Old Auditorium. That resulted in the Board approving A $1 million dollar federally subsidized loan at a cost of 1% to fund a renovation project. Some of those funds were used to replace all the old a/c units in the old original buildings, install LED lighting and efficient plumbing fixtures. I recall Board President Marcus Broesche taking an active role in determining a priority list of items to be addressed. His list included a new roof, repairing the gutters, re-pointing all the stonework to repair cracks and stone that had broken off, new windows, reverting the Auditorium to its original configuration including removing unsightly storage rooms, improve the stage access, installing new sound system, repairing the stage lights and returning all the interior to pristine condition. Last of all, he tasked them with finding the source of a long-time water leak that was damaging the foundation. They found that at one time, the basement had showers bevause the auditorium had been the basketball gym. Those pipes still had water to them. The pipes had rusted through and the water was leaking through the basement walls into the foundation. The construction company found the pipe that fed those old pipes and removed them. The building is now dry and solid.

All this began because of Mr. Deitrich’s unselfish offer to use his experience in getting the Burton community some recognition. It spurred two years of sustained joint effort by the Board, the former students, the community and taxpayers to gain some recognition for what many consider the “icon” of the community, the BISD auditorium constructed in the 1930’s. It is almost 100 years old.

One Comment

Jim Palmer says:

June 25, 2019 at 10:31 pm

In 2014 Dr. Dietrich contacted me about applying for a Historical Marker for the Burton ISD Auditorium. He expressed a desire to promote Burton history out of his experience with Burton citizens while a young educator. I found several books in the collection left by previous Superintendents. By accident, I discovered the architect, last name of Broesche, was a friend of my wife’s family. He designed the church my mother in law was married in.

With Mr. Deitrich’s assistance, we put together a narrative describing the local materials, managers and design used in the building. Mr. Dietrich took the documents and expedited the process. The Burton ISD Board approved of spending district funds to pay for the sign hardware, if needed. A “buy a brick” campaign was started to finance the cost. Several former students, their families and current local citizens purchased bricks with family members names and dates. The bricks were installed around the marker in front of the Old Auditorium. Additional ones were installed at the elementary site. The Marker was paid for with those funds.

The interest in preserving the old Auditorium began with that project. From there, the Board began inquiring about the cost of renovating the Old Auditorium. That resulted in the Board approving A $1 million dollar federally subsidized loan at a cost of 1% to fund a renovation project. Some of those funds were used to replace all the old a/c units in the old original buildings, install LED lighting and efficient plumbing fixtures. I recall Board President Marcus Broesche taking an active role in determining a priority list of items to be addressed. His list included a new roof, repairing the gutters, re-pointing all the stonework to repair cracks and stone that had broken off, new windows, reverting the Auditorium to its original configuration including removing unsightly storage rooms, improve the stage access, installing new sound system, repairing the stage lights and returning all the interior to pristine condition. Last of all, he tasked them with finding the source of a long-time water leak that was damaging the foundation. They found that at one time, the basement had showers bevause the auditorium had been the basketball gym. Those pipes still had water to them. The pipes had rusted through and the water was leaking through the basement walls into the foundation. The construction company found the pipe that fed those old pipes and removed them. The building is now dry and solid.

All this began because of Mr. Deitrich’s unselfish offer to use his experience in getting the Burton community some recognition. It spurred two years of sustained joint effort by the Board, the former students, the community and taxpayers to gain some recognition for what many consider the “icon” of the community, the BISD auditorium constructed in the 1930’s. It is almost 100 years old.