The General Stark Society Award for 2008 was presented to Frederick H. and Constance F. West for outstanding service to the Bennington Museum. “Fred and Consie practice philanthropy in so many areas with such generosity that it does not give a complete picture to focus only on the impact they have had on the Bennington Museum. But it is precisely this impact that we honor tonight,” stated Stephen Perkins, Executive Director of the Museum.

Mr. West has always been active in preserving history, both locally and nationally. His passion extends to the entire field of archaeology. He was Director of Archaeology at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, and is the Editor-in-Chief of the Review of Archeology, where Constance serves as Associate Editor. In 1996 he produced American Beginnings: The Prehistory and Palaeoecology of Beringia, a multifaceted examination of the land bridge that connected Siberia and Alaska, allowing the first humans to enter the North American continent. The Wests take an active role in the conservation and protection of land in Vermont and transmit these values to young people by supporting programs that work toward this goal. For over twelve years the Wests have given their support to the Bennington Museum. They have sponsored exhibitions, publications, and programs that met their standards, challenged the museum, and rewarded audiences.

The Walloomsac Society Award for 2008 was presented to Beverly Petrelis for her contributions to the town of Bennington in the fields of art, education, and history. Beverly was born and raised in Bennington. She attended local schools and graduated from Bennington High School. She owned and operated The Sewing Shop on Main Street until it was destroyed by fire in the 1980s.

Beverly has devoted decades of her life to teaching in the local schools. She taught art, mechanical drawing, and sewing at Bennington Catholic High School, where she also managed the cafeteria. In 1967, she began teaching in the art department at Mount Anthony Junior High School and remained on staff there until her retirement in 1996. She has worked as a graphic artist for the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, creating displays and visual aides for teachers of all grade levels and subjects.

Beverly’s history as a volunteer is just as broad. She has worked as a Red Cross volunteer in Indiana, Virginia and Puerto Rico as well as Vermont. She has devoted time and energy over the years, working on exhibits representing the Bennington Historical Society at Vermont History Expo, held each June on the World’s Fair grounds in Tunbridge. She has also helped design Main Street storefront displays for the Museum and Historical Society.

During the last two years, Beverly organized a permanent display of photographs and memorabilia at Mount Anthony Union High School, highlighting the achievements of students who attended Bennington and North Bennington High Schools prior to 1967. Beverly’s current project focusing on the contributions of community organizations is a visual history of Roman Catholic education in Bennington. It covers the period from 1876, when the Sisters of St. Joseph established a school, to the present. Sponsored by the Historical Society, this exhibit will be mounted on a wall in the Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Parish Center and remain on permanent display.