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Louise Bell Honored
Louise Matheson Bell, Seneca Historian, historic preservationist and advocate for history and the arts, was the recipient of the prestigious 2008 Governor's Award on Thursday, March 27. The award was given at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in Greenville at the plenary session on the opening day of the two-day South Carolina Landmark Conference.
Dr. Roger Stroup. Director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, and Michael Bedenbaugh, Direction of the Palmetto Trust, made the presentation on behalf of their departments and the Governor's Office.
The Governor's Award, according to the act creating it, "may be presented annually in recognition of an individual's significant achievements or landmark efforts in the support of historic preservation in South Carolina; to one who has demonstrated lifelong dedication to the preservation of South Carolina's historic buildings, structures or sites."
This is the 14th year the award has been given. Mrs. Bell has won dozens of honors and awards for a lifetime of service on numerous boards and commissions in Seneca, Oconee County, the region, state and nation. Her career was in professional photography. She is an author and is active in art, historical, civic and cultural affairs.
The 2008 Governor's Award was the 30th in the Bell Gallery of awards, which includes The Order of the Palmetto—the state's highest civilian award. Mrs. Bell was also on the very first South Carolina National Heritage Corridor Board as publicity chair for Region One.