2023 Award Winner: Alan Rumrill

For outstanding leadership in documentation, public outreach, and building restoration and stewardship

Next year, Alan Rumrill will retire after 41 years as executive director of the Historical Society of Cheshire County. He personifies the mission to collect, preserve, and communicate the county’s history, and does it with excellence and humility.

In 1983, Alan F. Rumrill was hired as the first paid employee of the all-volunteer Historical Society of Cheshire County, and has steadfastly led the organization through four decades of impressive growth. They now have three buildings, six staff members, 130 volunteers, over 150 programs annually, a nearly half-million-dollar budget, and a $3.5 million endowment.

Community outreach is one of his strengths.  He has written and recorded 1,500 “Monadnock Moment” spots for local radio broadcasts and published over 200 Keene Sentinel newspaper columns.  He has taught hundreds of classes on local history and museum management, worked with more than 100 student interns and volunteers, and responded to more than 1,000 invitations to present public lectures and programs.

In addition, Rumrill has written eight books and several articles and book chapters on regional art and history. During Covid, he launched a series of newspaper columns called “Viral Stories, Tales for a Pandemic,” inspiring the community to come together to weather difficult times.

Rumrill has also overseen the restoration and rehabilitation of the Society’s 18th century Wyman Tavern, maintenance of the Ball Mansion which serves as their offices, library and exhibit space, and the acquisition and rehabilitation of the 19th century Bruder House, part of a vision to reposition the Society for the future. The second floor was converted to archival storage and the first floor adapted for meeting spaces and a visitors center for the next-door Wyman Tavern.

Whether a news reporter is looking for background information for a story, or a rural family is wondering about an item found in their barn, Alan is the go-to person. Rumrill is deeply admired for his devotion to the area and its history, his insightful public programs and writings, and his exemplary leadership. His community impact is truly remarkable.