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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Brazos Historical Society is celebrating the |
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100th anniversary of the Schuster House in Freeport during spring |
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2017; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1917, the year the City of Freeport was |
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incorporated, the two-story home was built on a foundation of heavy |
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cedar blocks by George Schuster and his sons, Manuel, Henry, and |
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Joe, all experienced carpenters; its exterior is graced by a |
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wraparound porch supported by large columns, and the interior |
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features 10-foot ceilings and many windows to keep rooms cool in the |
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summer; and |
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WHEREAS, The stout construction and favorable location made |
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the home a place of refuge during hurricanes; in addition, it was |
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used by the Catholic community for catechism classes before their |
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church was completed; and |
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WHEREAS, Following the death of his parents, Joe Schuster |
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purchased the home in 1951 from the family estate with his wife, |
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Valentine; she continued to live in the home until her passing in |
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1981, and her children maintained it for the ensuing two decades; in |
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2003, descendants established the Schuster House Corporation and |
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placed the home and many original furnishings in the care of the |
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Brazos Historical Society, which undertook a 10-year restoration |
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project; the house is now open to the public as a museum, and in |
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2016, it received an Official Texas Historical Marker from the |
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Texas Historical Commission; and |
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WHEREAS, Historic homes are an irreplaceable cultural |
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resource, and the careful preservation of the Schuster House allows |
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Texans to learn more about our state's architectural heritage and |
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the everyday lives of our forebears; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the |
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Schuster House and commend the members of the Brazos Historical |
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Society for their stewardship; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Brazos Historical Society as an expression of high |
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regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |