Visit Palestine earns national honor for Historic Marker day event

May 11—Visit Palestine was named the 2024 National Historic Marker Day honoree for "Most Markers Cleaned" this year.

"It is such an honor to know that Anderson County can be the best in the whole United States," said Tourism Project Coordinator Katie Beth Henry. "We are blessed with such an amazing community that truly cares about the history that has brought us to where we are today and will lead the generations to come."

Friday April 26 marked the fourth National Historic Marker Day. The National event is put on by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, who has reached out this week to let Visit Palestine know about its honor.

This was the second year Visit Palestine has put on an event bringing the whole county together to celebrate our history by acknowledging its 140 markers.

Volunteers that signed up either washed or restored their markers.

"Most markers just need a simple wash to remove dirt, pollen and bird feces," Henry said. "However we do have some that have faded over time and needed a full restoration. This process takes a bit of time, but armed with step by step directions, a supply bucket, and a little elbow grease, our citizens tackled the project."

Last year, Henry said Visit Palestine registered 40 participants for the event and cleaned/restored 38 markers.

This year, Henry said with 67 county volunteers they washed 73 markers and did full restorations on 10.

Barry Bedre with Turbyfill's Machine Shop has offered to repair one marker that had extensive damage, Henry said.

According to Henry, next year's Anderson County Historic Marker Day Cleanup event is already on the calendar for the last Friday in April.

The Palestine Visitor Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 825 W. Spring Street.

Please contact the Palestine Visitor Center at 903-723-3014 or www.VisitPalestine.com for more information or to request a free visitor's guide.