Fort Ticonderoga recently held its annual Volunteer Reception to thank volunteers and recognize volunteer leadership. Rolly and Kathe Allen of Hague, New York, received the 2018 Fort Ticonderoga Volunteers of the Year award for their long-time support and advocacy. A number of other awards were presented to volunteers during the reception, celebrating volunteers’ creative skills and dedication. Fort Ticonderoga volunteers have given more than 12,000 hours so far in 2018, up an impressive 20% vs 2017 with volunteer hours. Volunteer areas include public history, administration, special events, horticulture, education, development, collections management, and buildings and grounds.
“Rolly and Kathe Allen’s volunteer support of Fort Ticonderoga has had a substantial impact on our organization,” said Beth Hill, President and CEO. “Their enthusiasm for Fort Ticonderoga’s mission and programs is contagious. Rolly and Kathe’s willingness to always lend a hand, provide support, and open their home for our many cultivation events has made them an invaluable part of our Fort Ticonderoga family.”
Other volunteer recognition:
The Bookworm Award
Anne Vido is recognized for her outstanding effort and commitment to make the library accessible for staff and researcher discovery. Over the past year, Anne has cataloged hundreds of books into the collections database.
Layered Legacy Award
Frank Schlamp received this award for outstanding effort and commitment to documenting, preserving, and making our museum’s archaeological collections accessible. Over the past year, Frank has drawn, cleaned, identified, rehoused, and labeled hundreds of objects from the many layers of our site’s history.
Here Comes the Judge Award
Jim Fry was recognized as a longtime judge at the annual North Country History Day competition at Fort Ticonderoga. Jim also volunteers with Fort Fever programs, the War College of the Sevens’ Year War, and living history events throughout the year.
The Servant of Two Maters Award
Mike Barbieri has transcribed vast volumes of documents in the Frederick Haldimand Papers, which provided the foundation for exhibitions and public programs supporting the 2018 focus on 1781. Mike’s generosity routinely reaches across department bounds with the loan of his fabulous original Brunswick musket and his time and talents at living history events.
The Basket of Beauty Award
Betty Rettig earned this award for creating wonderful arrangements for the Log House Welcome Center and special events, as well as for teaching young and old her trade secrets.
The Tin Man Award
This award acknowledges Craig Russell and his dedication to our Interpretive Program. Craig has created and repaired a substantial amount of tin work utilized by the Fort Ticonderoga Interpretive Department throughout the year.
The Miles of Stitching Award
In addition to driving countless miles from his home in Delaware to attend Fort Ticonderoga’s events and workshops, James Stone has stitched nearly every type of uniform we use just so he can continue to volunteer with us.
New volunteers are welcome to apply to our Volunteers Count! Program. Information and applications are available at www.fortticonderoga.org or by calling 518-585-2821. Volunteers who reach 10 hours of service receive free annual attendance and other special benefits.
Fort Ticonderoga: America’s Fort™
Welcoming visitors since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga preserves North America’s largest 18th-century artillery collection, 2,000 acres of historic landscape on Lake Champlain, and Carillon Battlefield, and the largest series of untouched Revolutionary War era earthworks surviving in America. As the premier place to learn more about our nation’s earliest years and America’s military heritage, Fort Ticonderoga engages more than 75,000 visitors each year with an economic impact of more than $12 million annually and offers programs, historic interpretation, boat cruises, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits throughout the year, and is open for daily visitation May through October. Fort Ticonderoga is supported in part through generous donations and with some general operating support made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
America’s Fort is a registered trademark of the Fort Ticonderoga Association.
Photo: Fort Ticonderoga awarded Rolly and Kathe Allen the Volunteers of the Year award during the annual Volunteer appreciation gathering.
Photo copyright Fort Ticonderoga