Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) recognized 22 individuals and an entire family for their contributions of time, talent and expertise in 2018 at the annual Volunteer of the Year Ceremony, held Saturday, April 27, at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.
In addition, four honorees received Outstanding Service Awards for long-term volunteer participation and exceptional dedication: Robert Zimmerman from Eckley Miners' Village, Weatherly; Linda Bolla from the Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara, Erie; Robert Siever from the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Lancaster; and Susan Plaisted from Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville.
Since its beginning more than a century ago, PHMC has depended on citizen volunteers to work in partnership with its dedicated paid staff to carry out the preservation and interpretation programs of the agency. Each spring for nearly 40 years, commission leadership have gathered with volunteers to say thanks and honor exceptional service.
"Our volunteers are integral to the success of our historic sites and museums," said PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery. "They bring a passion for history, a strong connection to community, and a desire to welcome all who visit to learn more about our shared heritage."
Each of the historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trails of History are invited to designate a Volunteer of the Year based on service in the preceding calendar year.
Award recipients for 2018 include:
Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces, Scranton
Juliana Puccini
Brandywine Battlefield Park, Chadds Ford
Nicholas Rodia
Bushy Run Battlefield, Jeannette
Emily Liska, John Harris and Nick Sopko
Conrad Weiser Homestead, Womelsdorf
David Hoffman
Cornwall Iron Furnace, Cornwall
Karin Mitchell
Daniel Boone Homestead, Birdsboro
William Jewell
Drake Well Museum and Park, Titusville
Mary Jane Hiller
Eckley Miners' Village, Weatherly
The Neyhart Family
Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata
Julia Murphy
Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara, Erie
Mary Kay Sanner
Graeme Park, Horsham
Steven Griffith
Hope Lodge, Fort Washington
Coleen Bant
Joseph Priestley House, Northumberland
Sam Geise
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Lancaster
Sharon O'Neal-Lehner and Dawn Snyder
Old Economy Village, Ambridge
Cynthia Pagesh
Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville
Beth Lepianka
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Galeton
Jack Deurer
Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boalsburg
Victor Campbell
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg
William Cole
Somerset Historical Center, Somerset
Judy Swank
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Andy Stauffer
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Visit PHMC online at www.phmc.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639
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