Historical Society Board Honors Rumrill's 25 Years of Leadership

At the 2008 annual meeting of its membership, the board of the Historical Society of Cheshire County recognized Alan F. Rumrill, who has served as Executive Director for 25 years, guiding the non-profit organization through a period of dramatic growth and change. During the period of his leadership, the organization grew, from a small group of dedicated volunteers supporting a modest collection of artifacts and documents in donated locations, to a 900-member organization with more than 100 volunteers and two historic properties, the Wyman Tavern and the Ball Mansion housing its offices, research collections, artifacts, and exhibit spaces. The Society - the only county-level historical society in New Hampshire - also delivers educational programs and teacher workshops, provides outreach and support to local historical societies, and conducts and publishes research pertaining to the history of Cheshire County.

"Alan Rumrill has a contagious interest in local history, and a gift for sharing all he knows. The growth of the Society's programs and collections demonstrate this exceptional commitment," says Cornelia Jenness, President of the Board.

Mr. Rumrill, a Stoddard native, received a B.A. in history from Keene State College in 1979, and he worked as an intern for the Society during his undergraduate study. He received an M.L.S. degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1982. In addition to his work at the Historical Society, he is a lecturer with the International Elderhostel program and has served as a history lecturer at Keene State College. His most recent publication, Steps to Great Art: Barry Faulkner and the Art of the Muralist, which he co-authored with Carl B. Jacobs, Jr., chronicles the career of Keene muralist Barry Faulkner and his techniques for creating his famous murals. Mr. Rumrill lives in Stoddard with his family.

The Historical Society of Cheshire County is a non-profit educational organization which collects, preserves, and shares the history of Cheshire County. The Historical Society is open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, Wednesday, from 9 am to 9 pm, and Saturday morning from 9 am to noon. For further information, contact the Historical Society at 352-1895 or view its website at www.hsccnh.org.