Volunteers play a key role in making the History Center one of the finest cultural organizations in the U.S. By donating time and talents, volunteers assist with many facets of the organization. Over the next few months, the History Center is highlighting a few of the diverse volunteers that help our museums succeed.
Paulette Hemmings
Volunteers make a huge contribution to the Heinz History Center, giving of their time and talents on a regular or semi-regular basis. It has been said that we could not open our doors each day without their assistance.
Paulette Hemmings is one volunteer who has made remarkable contributions to the History Center. Since Paulette began volunteering here in April of 2009, she has contributed over 2,500 hours of service, and she has done almost every possible volunteer position within our organization.
She has worked with archival collections in the Detre Library & Archives, served as a greeter for special History Center events, led concierge training for new volunteers, helped to organize and participate in National History Day, and distributed HHC newsletters in the community.
Paulette Hemmings
As a former teacher at Avonworth Middle School, Paulette became interested in the History Center on field trips with her students. As a volunteer with our History Center Affiliates Program, Paulette now has the opportunity to create connections between the History Center and other local schools. In fact, Paulette still works closely with Avonworth School District to create and deliver History Center programs at their schools! Robert Stakeley, the History Center Affiliates Program Coordinator, says of Paulette: “I have come to rely on Paulette for her tremendous organizational skills. She is essential to keeping me organized and on track with the immense amount of administrative work that comes with keeping in touch with 400+ affiliates.”
For Paulette, her work with the affiliates has helped to satisfy her love of researching and sharing Western Pennsylvania’s stories. Volunteering has led her to meet many new and fascinating people with a wide range of professional expertise. Recently Paulette was recognized by Delta Kappa Gamma, an International Society for Key Women Educators, with an Album of Distinction Award for her 2,500+ hours of service at the History Center.
We are very grateful for her time and hope that she will continue to volunteer here for many years to come.
Are you interested in learning how you can volunteer with the History Center, Fort Pitt Museum, or Meadowcroft? Learn more about the opportunities we have to serve on our Volunteer page or contact Ellen DeNinno at 412-454-6412 or ehdeninno@heinzhistorycenter.org.
Laura Myers is the Audience Engagement Coordinator at the Heinz History Center.