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From
left to right: John Marchal, President of the Darke County
Historical Society, Marilyn Robbins,
award recipient, and Clay Johnson,
Ph.D., Executive Director of the Garst Museum.
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Heritage Award
presented to Marilyn Robbins
Marilyn Robbins, a.k.a. “Garst’s Annie Oakley” truly epitomizes the
Heritage Award. Established in 2004, the Darke County Historical
Society’s Heritage Award was created to recognize outstanding citizens
or organizations for their distinguished contributions or actions of
unusual excellence that help connect people to Darke County’s past.
Marilyn’s volunteering in the community connects people to Darke
County’s past, especially that of Annie Oakley. Clay Johnson, Ph.D.,
Executive Director of the Garst Museum notes, “As Executive Director of
the Darke County Historical Society and Garst Museum, it is a great
pleasure and truly an asset to have such a kind, knowledgeable, and
dedicated volunteer working at the museum. Her years of research into
Annie Oakley has led to a very respected reputation not only for the
museum’s National Annie Oakley Center but for Marilyn as well. Her
genuine caring for the museum is seen daily in her work for the
Historical Society’s Board of Directors as well as so many other
volunteer activities. Darke County is fortunate to have such a
wonderful person.”
Marilyn’s volunteering at Garst Museum includes docenting as Annie to
tracking memberships in her Darke County Historical Society Executive
Committee Board member role to accessioning artifacts at the
Museum. Along with other volunteers, she puts in endless hours to
make sure all of the museum’s collection is properly accounted
for. Last year alone, Marilyn volunteered at Garst in many
capacities for a total of 395 hours. Since 2006, she has put in
2996 hours!
Marilyn joined the Annie Oakley Center Foundation last year and has
already contributed greatly. She is able to answer the many
questions posed to the Foundation from school children to published
authors, generated from their website or Facebook page.
In 2006, Marilyn compiled Annie’s autobiography, a collection of
newspaper articles that Annie wrote and then director Toni Seiler
transcribed. This has become a definitive work because it is a primary
source of “Annie’s words.” Continuing her desire to convey the
correct memory of Annie Oakley, last year, Marilyn compiled
correspondence of Annie and Frank’s. With the staff’s efforts in
word processing, this latest volume became a welcome addition in the
series. Future plans include a book of poems that Frank wrote to
Annie. Marilyn’s publications, especially the first volume, have
been sold all over the world and to people who research or write longer
works or novels about Annie. Marilyn does the legwork and coordinates
the printing and publication and it shows her true commitment as a
self-published author.
Bringing history to the people has also been accomplished by her
volunteering at the Darke County Park District. Laura
Schwieterman, Park District Volunteer coordinator said, “Marilyn
assisted in the Log House with the Maple Syrup Festival, Prairie Days,
Candlelight Dinner on the Prairie (where she led a demonstration on
cooking in the cabin) and school programs. While dressed in period
clothing in the cabin, Marilyn assisted with the cooking and welcoming
the public to the Log House. Laura added, “Marilyn is always willing to
help when needed and is very dedicated to complete the task that is on
her plate.”
“This is really what she likes to do. It keeps her very busy and active
and she loves it.” Daughter Tammy Brandon, who works at the Darke
County Chamber of Commerce stated. Her daughter added,
“Everything she’s done since she retired has been with the Museum. She
did some things at the Park – mostly involved with the different
events.” Marilyn is also involved with the Friends of Greenville Public
Library.
Congratulations, Marilyn, on your well-deserved recognition.
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