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Dr. Clay Johnson (right) presents the 2017 Heritage Award to Richard T.
“Dick” Brown (left)
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Garst
Museum’s Heritage Award Goes to Richard T. “Dick” Brown
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. Clay Johnson, Ph.D.,
CEO of the Garst Museum, notes that “For those familiar with the
county’s history, the area is rich in its history and traditions and
its significance touches so many in the community. The Darke County
Historical Society (DCHS) recognizes this importance, and feels its
responsibility is to honor those that join in its mission in
celebrating the county’s past.” The DCHS operates the Garst Museum and
its mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit, study, and interpret
materials relating to the history and culture of Darke County. This
year’s Heritage Award recipient, Dick Brown, has a lifelong history of
helping preserve and connect people with the history of Darke County
and Greenville.
Did you graduate from Greenville High School (GHS)? If so, you
know the name of Dick Brown is synonymous with the GHS Alumni
Association. As President since 2004, Dick is instrumental in
keeping the history of the school alive. Dick’s continuing efforts
range from writing its newsletter, sharing the school’s rich history,
and keeping track of all the GHS alumni obituaries. He creates lasting
memories with senior class images and years of class composite
photographs via spiral-bound notebooks. Dick provides these to
the classes and to Garst Museum’s Research Center where they are used
frequently by those wishing to learn more about their family’s history.
Nancy Stump, a researcher at Garst’s Research Center, commented “I
don’t know what we’d do without him. He’s one heck of a nice
guy. He’s priceless.”
For anyone who has gone to GHS’s homecoming or prom, Dick photographs
everyone and provides, at no charge, a copy of the images. He
also photographs every class reunion and gives all members of the class
copies as well. Nancy Stump noted that “At our 60th class
reunion, he took all the photos and came back two hours later and
delivered them.” For all the GHS alumni, Dick is responsible for
organizing the annual Alumni Association gathering in May. He
exhibits numerous tri-fold boards with class photos and information at
the event and then personally stores them from year to year. Over the
years, Dick has spent countless volunteer hours assisting the high
school and its students. His latest project is working on putting
the Greenville High School history on kiosks at GHS.
Dick’s parents, Pete and Kay Brown, were instrumental in their support
and growth of Garst Museum. Dick started serving on the Darke
County Historical Society’s board in 1990 while his father was
President. Dick became Vice President in 1996. Prior to coming on
the DCHS’s board, Dick served on the Building Committee for Garst and
helped with the planning of the Pioneer Wing in 1992. Dick
continued to serve as Vice President for nearly twenty years and was
recognized as an Emeritus Director at the recent DCHS Annual Membership
Meeting.
Karen Besecker, a researcher at the Garst Research Center and classmate
of Dick’s since kindergarten, stated that “He’s had so many interests
and been involved here [at the museum] so long and always been humble
and kind.” She recalls Dick visiting the Research Center every week
(then called the Genealogy Room) with his daughters Brandy and Betsy,
both budding gymnasts. Toni Seiler, the then director, would give
the girls suckers after they would do cartwheels and somersaults down
the hallway. When Dick’s focus is not on GHS, it is on the City of
Greenville or Darke County. Over the years, Dick has always
voluntarily shared his local history passion with the Garst Museum, its
Research Center, and the Darke County community.
The Darke County Historical Society, Garst Museum is deeply indebted to
Dick for his continued support in so many ways. Dr. Johnson stated that
“Dick’s distinguished lifelong commitment to the community exemplifies
the traits of the Heritage Award. It was an honor to present the award
to such a deserving individual.”
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