The Chairman’s Special Award for

Outstanding Fund-Raising Service in

Support of the Mission of the

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

The commitment of each of our volunteers to provide quality programs and support to the Commonwealth’s historic sites and museums is more important than ever.  Many volunteers and volunteer board members have stepped up to the plate in this critical time – securing financial support, creating new partnerships, and forging new models of support and advocacy. The Chairman’s Award acknowledges the important role of our volunteers in raising much needed funds to supplement state support for our historic sites.

                This year’s honoree, Jean Loughry, has been an active volunteer with the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society for over ten years and president of the Society for the past six years.

                Jean has lent her enthusiasm and her talent to many activities at the site.  She single handedly raised over $5,000 in the early 2000s to purchase land that provided for further preservation of the Battlefield.  Annually, Jean becomes “chief cook” for the weekend-long reenactment of the Battle of Bushy Run, preparing dinner for over 150 reenactors and volunteers.  Jean has also been the Society’s “caterer” for the Old Westmoreland Historic Weapons Show for the past two years.  Jean prints all membership applications for the Society and makes certain that areas in the park are well-stocked.  Most recently Jean sewed the flour bags for the renovated theater exhibit in the site visitor center, helping to evoke the original “flour bag fort” that was a critical element in the Battle of Bushy Run.

                The Society, while Jean was president, moved forward on many fronts.  When the Museum Commission, due to defunding, began to transition Bushy Run Battlefield to a Placed Property status, the Society initiated a campaign to “Save Bushy Run”—raising awareness and appreciation of the site.  The Society also completed a project to install new interpretive signage at the Park, focusing on the events of August 5-6, 1763—the encounter between British military forces and a confederation of Native American tribes.  In March 2011 the Society debuted their renovated theater exhibit, using grant funding and staff resources to produce a new film about the Battle and completely re-do the theater setting.

                Jean’s hard work and dedication to Bushy Run Battlefield are infectious and have attracted renewed support for the site in difficult times. We thank her for her efforts with this presentation of the PHMC Chairman’s Award.