We love our volunteers!

“This summer, I'm calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation. And when I say ‘all,’ I mean everyone – young and old, from every background, all across this country. We need individuals, community organizations, corporations, foundations, and our government to be part of this effort.” President Barack Obama, June 16, 2009

The sites along the Trails of History have always counted on volunteers to, among other things, help organize and deliver programs, assist with caring for artifacts, and share our history with the public. Each year the sites select people for special recognition as part of the Volunteers of the Year program. Maybe someone you know is on the list of honorees for service in 2008:

Outstanding Service Award: Ronald C. Blatchley (Joseph Priestley House)
Leonard and Gerry Janus (Anthracite Heritage Museum , Scranton)
George Thorpe (Brandywine Battlefield , Chadds Ford)
George Heasley (Bushy Run Battlefield , Jeannette)
Alan Hackenberg (Conrad Weiser Homestead , Womelsdorf)

Anita Pence (Cornwall Iron Furnace , Cornwall)

Cherie Berg (Daniel Boone Homestead , Birdsboro)

Kathy Flaherty (Drake Well Museum , Titusville)
Gerry Allen (Eckley Miners’ Village , Weatherly)
Bill Miller (Ephrata Cloister , Ephrata)
Ardrey Manning (Erie Maritime Museum , Erie)

Robert Nipar (Fort Pitt Museum , Pittsburgh)

Jim Miller (Graeme Park , Horsham)

Bob Reese (Hope Lodge , Fort Washington)

Emily Dietrich (Joseph Priestley House, Northumberland)

Larry Hess (Landis Valley Museum , Lancaster)
Cary Brant and Randy Wilkins (Old Economy Village , Ambridge)
Robert Shields (Pennsbury Manor , Morrisville)
Bruce Cahilly (Pennsylvania Lumber Museum , Galeton)

Philip Sauerlender (Pennsylvania Military Museum , Boalsburg)

Joseph Palenchar (Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania , Strasburg)
Janet Sherbine (Somerset Historical Center , Somerset)
Charlie Hannon (State Museum of Pennsylvania , Harrisburg)
John G. Maher (Washington Crossing Historic Park , Washington Crossing)

An impressive group, right? Well you can be a part of it, Trailheads. Museums and historic sites are always looking for new volunteers. The United We Serve initiative has a website with opportunities all over the country. But if you’re here in Pennsylvania, any of the sites on the list above would love to hear from you. You never know where it might lead.