Volunteer Recognition Awards

February 2006

At our Annual Meeting in January, the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society presented the annual volunteer appreciation awards.  Individuals are selected in four categories.

The recipient of the award for preservation, Terry Vose, has been a key advisor to the Collections Committee for years.  He has counseled us on the best means of preserving our fine collection of oil paintings and watercolors.  Thanks in large part to his guidance, we have been fortunate to establish relationships with some of the best painting conservators in Boston.  Our collection has greatly benefited from Terry’s enthusiastic interest.

Our recipient of the award for education, Lydia Hale, has diligently worked for years on transforming a neglected corner of the King Caesar property.  Almost single-handedly, she has restored and improved the herb garden, making it a wonderful educational tool.  She has carefully installed proper signage, researched the historic uses of various herbs, and often takes part in our school programs to convey this knowledge to Duxbury’s young people.  Each year countless visitors to the museum benefit from this attractive and instructive display.

Our recipient in the category of events, Christine Barry, has, for the past two years, played a key role in the planning of “Christmas at the King Caesar House.”  Our largest annual event, involving scores of volunteers, “Christmas at the King Caesar House” requires a tremendous time commitment on the part of its coordinators and culminates in a very busy and demanding weekend.  Christine has cheerfully done so much to make the event successful.

“The President’s Award” is given for outstanding volunteer contribution in many areas.  Our recipient has, over the last several years, made the protection of our vast costumes collection her priority.  Two years ago we recognized Madelon Ali’s efforts with a preservation award for orchestrating the move of the collection from quarters at the King Caesar house to more appropriate rooms at the Nathaniel Winsor, Jr. House.  The Society is pleased to honor her with the Presidents Award.  Mattie has taken her charge of preserving the collection and expanded it, making the costumes and their care relevant to almost every arena of the Society’s activity.  Our exhibits have benefited from the inclusion of costumes, our children’s programs take on a new dimension when the students see and understand how the clothing was worn.  To help educate her committee members, she has organized site visits and workshops involving museum professionals.  She has brought in several dedicated high school interns who have been given an excellent primer in museum work.  Mattie has done, and continues to do, wonderful things for the Society.

The DRHS extends its thanks and congratulations to the honorees. ###

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