Miami University

McGuffey renovation recognized

11/26/2003

The renovation project at the William Holmes McGuffey Museum on Miami's campus has received local, regional and national recognition.

On Nov. 3, McGuffey Museum curator Beverly Bach and Miami President Emeritus Phillip Shriver were among 20 individuals and three groups named “Bicentennial historians of the year” by the Butler County Historical Society. Sherry Corbett, who was a professor at Miami Hamilton, will be recognized with a posthumous award. All have made a strong contribution to preserving the county’s history through many years - Bach through her involvement with the renovation project since 1996.

On Nov. 8, members of the Miami community accepted a merit award from the Ohio Historic Preservation Office in recognition of the renovation project. “This award represents recognition of the university’s responsible stewardship for the museum at the highest state preservation level,” said Bach. “It is a tribute to the work of the entire university in caring for this historic building.”

Bach also learned recently that the museum project has been selected for inclusion in a national databank, “Success Stories,” maintained by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The renovation was a cooperative effort, with involvement from Provost Ronald A. Crutcher; Richard M. Norman, vice president of finance and business services; W.J. Haley, associate vice president, and Robert G. Keller, Steve R. Pohlman and Mark A. Cooper, physical facilities; Curtis W. Ellison, interim McGuffey Museum director, and Bach; as well as architects Lori Sipes and Greg Jones of Smith Group and W. Hollis Weaver of John Reutschle Associates.