Highland County Historical Society celebrates 50th anniversary, Part XXXIII
By Pamela Nickell
H.C. Historical Society
Hurray! The rear exit and ramp at the Highland House Museum have been started with Brad Tira and Wayne Dance and crews working daily to complete this task within two to three weeks. And, yes, we are still moving, relocating and re-arranging the upper back hallway and rooms adjoining the replaced back wall.
Highland House Director Vicki Knauff is leading the charge guiding volunteers from the HCHS Board, Probation Department, and general membership in this critical effort.
The completion of both the above projects must be done so that the museum can be reopened on a regular basis. While it has been open by appointment throughout the major restoration project, we are anxious to get back on a regular and dependable schedule. Weekend hours will begin again Sept. 20 and continue through Dec. 20.
As various ones of us work with Vicki in bits and pieces of our available time to put the affected rooms back together, historians like Jean Wallis and treasurers like Rosemary Ryan are also reviewing ancient records, pictures and newspapers for proper handling. Repositioning the big pieces of furniture and equipment is the easy part, but it often seems like a daunting job and is accompanied by lots of groans.
Then, mid-sigh, one looks up onto the walls of the Upper Back Hallway and the nearly 50 Hall of Fame portraits of folks who have been instrumental to the development and success of Highland County are gazing down at you. It is suddenly all put into perspective, reminding and inspiring us that the very least we can do is arrange, protect and display the gifts we have been given.
As stated in HCHS literature, “The Highland County Hall of Fame was created by the Highland County Historical Society to recognize, honor and celebrate citizens or natives of Highland County who have made invaluable contributions to Highland County and/or the world beyond. By recognizing these individuals, the Hall of Fame will stimulate an interest in and an appreciation for the value of the history of this county and its citizens.
In addition, the Hall of Fame reinforces the message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor they undertake.”
One member of this outstanding group of citizens is Henry Bernard Sylvester “Barney” Harewood (1911-1986), who is pictured here.
He worked for the U.S. Postal Service. He was a church leader, a member and high-ranking officer of the Masonic Order, a highly awarded Scoutmaster, director of youth, men and senior choirs, and member and officer of many civic groups.
His son, Wendell (also a previous Postmaster) and wife, Frieda, are currently active Highland County Historical Society members.
Additional members of the Hall of Fame include: F.R. Harris, Marion Meyers, Jacob Landess, Joseph Rockhold, James Hull, Dick Shaffer, “Buck” Ewing, Joseph Hiestand, Kirby White, Mary Tuttle, Milton Caniff, Emma Detwiller, George Miller, Wilbur Carr, Roy Haynes, Charles Gossett, Willa Stanforth, Allen Trimble, Joseph Foraker, Henry Dickey, Darrell Hottle, Lillie Faris, Hugh Fullerton, Jean Wallis, Elsie Ayres, David McBride, Mary Jane McBride, Frances Hilliard, Violet Morgan, C.S. Bell, Edward McClain, Granville Barrere, Burch Riber, Stanley White, Lawson Walker, Thomas Knott, Marie Knott, Robert Hodson, Dorothy Hodson, Charles Harsha, John Carson and Jean Carson.
You notice someone missing here, don’t you?
Any member of the Highland County Historical Society may nominate an individual for the Hall of Fame, so won’t you nominate whomever is in your mind?