Award recipients (left to right): Kate Shaffer and Jonathan O'Harrow of Blair County Arts Foundation, Historic Preservation
Award; Sharon McClellan, President's Award; David Seidel, Lifetime Achievement Award; Larry McKee, Society trustee; Margaret
"Peggy" Fields, Preservation of County History; David and Cindy Rajala, Executive Director's Award.
On November 9, 2017, over 125 members and friends of the Blair County Historical Society convened at the Calvin House in Duncansville for the Society’s annual meeting and awards presentations. Each year the organization pays tribute to citizens who excel in historical education and preservation. Kate Shaffer and Jonathan O'Harrow accepted the Historical Preservation Award on behalf of the Blair County Arts Foundation for its continuous stewardship of the historic Mishler Theatre. Margaret "Peggy" Fields received the Preservation of County History Award for her forty years of dedicated volunteerism at Baker Mansion and Fort Roberdeau. Society trustee Larry McKee was presented a print of Baker Mansion by local artist Joe Servello in recognition of his service to the organization. Sharon McClellan received the President's Award for spearheading the effort to restore Soldiers and Sailors Circle atop Altoona's Fairview Cemetery. David and Cindy Rajala were honored with the Executive Director's Award for their monumental efforts in curatorial stewardship for the artifact collection of the Baker Mansion History Museum. David Seidel was the recipient of the Society's Lifetime Achievement Award for documenting five decades of local railroad history and being an instrumental figure in the creation of the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. Prior to the presentation of awards, retired Lt. Col. Art Sifuentes of the U. S. Marine Corps delivered the keynote address, as he discussed his experiences during
the Vietnam War. The annual dinner serves as one of several yearly fundraising and outreach events for the Blair County Historical Society.
Information on the 2018 nomination process will be available soon!
Award; Sharon McClellan, President's Award; David Seidel, Lifetime Achievement Award; Larry McKee, Society trustee; Margaret
"Peggy" Fields, Preservation of County History; David and Cindy Rajala, Executive Director's Award.
On November 9, 2017, over 125 members and friends of the Blair County Historical Society convened at the Calvin House in Duncansville for the Society’s annual meeting and awards presentations. Each year the organization pays tribute to citizens who excel in historical education and preservation. Kate Shaffer and Jonathan O'Harrow accepted the Historical Preservation Award on behalf of the Blair County Arts Foundation for its continuous stewardship of the historic Mishler Theatre. Margaret "Peggy" Fields received the Preservation of County History Award for her forty years of dedicated volunteerism at Baker Mansion and Fort Roberdeau. Society trustee Larry McKee was presented a print of Baker Mansion by local artist Joe Servello in recognition of his service to the organization. Sharon McClellan received the President's Award for spearheading the effort to restore Soldiers and Sailors Circle atop Altoona's Fairview Cemetery. David and Cindy Rajala were honored with the Executive Director's Award for their monumental efforts in curatorial stewardship for the artifact collection of the Baker Mansion History Museum. David Seidel was the recipient of the Society's Lifetime Achievement Award for documenting five decades of local railroad history and being an instrumental figure in the creation of the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. Prior to the presentation of awards, retired Lt. Col. Art Sifuentes of the U. S. Marine Corps delivered the keynote address, as he discussed his experiences during
the Vietnam War. The annual dinner serves as one of several yearly fundraising and outreach events for the Blair County Historical Society.
Information on the 2018 nomination process will be available soon!
