For the second consecutive year, the Chapel Hill Historical Society will bestow the title of “Town Treasure” upon 12 individuals and couples who have made their mark on our town’s history.Howard and Lillian Lee are among this year's "Town Treasures." Howard was Chapel Hill's first black mayor and later served as a state senator. Photo by Catharine Carter.

Among this year’s class are a UNC basketball legend, a dairy farmer, two gardeners, two former mayors, the first president of the National Association of Black Journalists and a former UNC chancellor. Many of them will attend a public reception at the Chapel Hill Museum on Oct. 15 at 5:30pm, where they will be recognized by Mayor Kevin Foy. An exhibit featuring text from interviews with the honorees and photos of them taken by award-winning photographer Catharine Carter will be on display at the museum through the fall and will then move to its permanent location at the Seymour Senior Center.

The 2009 “Town Treasures” are William Aycock, Anne and John Allen Cates, Val Lauder, Howard and Lillian Lee, Trish Love, Sandy McClamroch, Shirley Marshall, Bob Nutter, Nancy Sitterson, Dean Smith, Chuck Stone and Barbara Stiles and Bernice Wade.