Highland County Historical Society celebrates 50th anniversary in 2015
The Highland County Historical Society was chartered in 1965. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Society, which will be celebrated with yearlong events.
Bob Hodson, the only remaining original board member, reports that the board was looking for a suitable home for the newly formed Society when Virginia Bell Thompson offered the Highland House. It was acquired in 1966. (There will be more about that in a future article.)
The original far-sighted founding members included Fred Keeler, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Evans, Robert A. Hodson, Elsie Ayres, Edith DeCavenso, Virginia Bell, Stanley Kibler, Charles Blackburn, Harold McKenzie, T.J. Belleson, Maurice Jodry, Charles Harsha, George Waddell, Ruth Carlisle, Violet Morgan, Art Milner, Judge Darrel Hottle, Mrs. Granville Barrere, John Thompson, J. Harold Mckenzie and Worth Faust.
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As he conducted a 2013 Membership Meeting, Mr. Hodson stated that "I keep thinking that I represent them as well. Some wonderful names, some wonderful people in our community that helped put this organization together. They did it with a dream, knowing that it was important to preserve the past, to preserve the present, for the future people."
Throughout the intervening 50 years, many individuals and organizations have worked hard to create the vibrant and active Historical Society we enjoy today. The over 325 individual, family and organization memberships represent countless folks involved in the Society.
Current board members are Avery Applegate, Katherine Burwinkel, Lana Daniels, Justin Harsha (grandson of original board member Charles Harsha), Steve Holland, John Kellis, Timothy Koehl, Pamela Nickell, James Rooney, Rosemary Ryan, Michael Shanahan, and Jean Wallis.
– Submitted by Pamela Nickell with information from Jean Wallis and The Highland County Press.