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Presentation of the 2026 Witness to History Award to Clare Connally.
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REQUESTOR:
City of Farmers Branch Historical Preservation and Restoration Board
INTRODUCTION BY THE MAYOR:
On behalf of the City of Farmer Branch City Council, I am honored to recognize and present Clare Connally with the 2026 Witness to History Award.
Clare Connally graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and later moved to the Farmers Branch area in 1966 with her husband, Kirk. Kirk later served on the Farmers Branch City Council for several years. Clare taught first grade at several private schools and later worked in finance and health care. As an active member of the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church and the Women’s Society of Christian Faith, her faith has always been a big part of her life.
After her retirement, Clare continued her dedication to the community by volunteering at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. During her decades of service with the Historical Park, Clare assisted with school tours, from dressing in costume to portraying historical figures associated with each historic structure, to playing the pump organ in the 1891 Old Church. She was a founding member of the 501(c)(3) organization Friends of the Farmers Branch Historical Park, which has raised thousands of dollars to support the Park. She served on the Historical Preservation and Restoration Board from 2004 to 2018 and was instrumental in advocating for the new event center, Venue 1842, on the Historical Park grounds.
Clare has also been involved with the Farmers Branch Women’s Club for over 26 years. Their mission of helping young people afford college has resulted in annual fundraisers, which typically award scholarships of $1,000 to $1,500 to 10-15 graduating seniors from Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.
It is with great pride that the City Council and Historical Preservation and Restoration Board recognize Clare Connally as the 2026 individual recipient of the Witness to History Award.
BACKGROUND:
At the November 20, 2025, Historical Preservation and Restoration Board meeting, the Board voted unanimously to recognize Clare Connally with special consideration for the individual “Witness to History” award. This award was created to recognize long-time Farmers Branch residents and/or organizations that have contributed to the City of Farmers Branch in an outstanding manner.
To qualify for the “Witness to History” award, an individual must reside in Farmers Branch for 50 years or more, and award winners are selected based on their significant contribution to the City.