Since 1988, the Centre County Historical Society (CCHS) has annually recognized individuals and organizations for their outstanding work in preserving and interpreting Centre County history. Historic preservation and advocacy projects from around the county will be featured on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Match Factory in Bellefonte, home of the American Philatelic Society. Light refreshments will be available.

Join us to celebrate and learn about the amazing work and dedication of the 2023 award recipients. The presentation will last for about one hour and will be recorded by C-Net and made available on CentreHistory.org and on C-Net.

Whether you join us in person or watch the C-Net recording afterward, we hope you will enjoy and be inspired by the good work that embodies the vitality of historic preservation in Centre County.

Education and Advocacy
Paul Daniel Marriott, PhD ~Rethinking 322
This award recognizes Dan Marriott for his contribution towards facilitating community conversations about the future of the Route 322 corridor in the Penns-Brush Valley Rural Historic District. The Larch 414 studio class in the Penn State Department of Landscape Architecture used the proposed State College Area Connector Project as a case study.

Preservation and Restoration
Axemann Brewery and Titan Hollow Cidery
This award recognizes Axemann Brewery owners Rod and Dorothea Stahl, and Titan Hollow Cidery owner Angela Elias for the reuse and rehabilitation of the historic Titan Metal Company. The factory, situated along Logan Branch in the village of Axemann, once housed one of the country’s largest manufacturers of brass and metal.

History and Heritage
Julia Spicher Kasdorf
For her role in conceptualizing and producing an interpretation of local history in a visual and highly entertaining way, and for giving voice to the often-unheralded accomplishments of our homegrown heros.

Support and Volunteerism
Julie Ruggiero Houston ~ Negative Project
For spearheading the Negative project that preserved a visual history of people, places and event in 20^th Centre and Clearfield Counties.

CCHS President’s Award
Ford Risley and Lee Stout ~ Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture
For envisioning, creating, and continuing to expand the Centre County Encyclopedia of History & Culture which chronicles the history that makes Centre County special.

Jacqueline J. Melander Award
James and Gay Dunne
For the outstanding and nearly life-long commitment to the historical and cultural enhancements that contributed to the renaissance of Bellefonte.

RSVPs are required and registration information is posted at CentreHistory.org/events/awards or you can register by calling the Historical Society at 814-234-4779.

For questions or to learn how to submit a future nomination, contact Mary Sorensen at (814) 234-4779 or msorensen@centrefurnace.org.

With special thanks to:

C-Net Sponsor: The Centre County Commissioners

Photography: R. Thomas Berner × Postcard Design: David Lembeck

Venue: American Philatelic Society

John H. Ziegler Historic Preservation Awards Committee

The Centre County Historical Society was founded in 1904 and is the official historical society for Centre County. It serves the county as stewards of local history through research and collections, public programming, advocating for the preservation of historic sites and landscapes, and promoting education through CCHS historic properties: the Centre Furnace Mansion and the Boogersburg School.