The past year has involved a lot of dedication from some members and much success for those of us out showing our Morgan Horses. But for all of us the focus has been on our mission*to maintain the Morgan Horse Museum in Vermont.

The Museum now has a new archivist,  Amber Broderick, who succeeds Kathy Furr whom we recognized here a year ago for her eight years of service. Until Amber started work, Mary Jo Childs filled in at the Museum until mid-April.

Amber is at the Museum Wednesday through Saturday so our members have volunteered to keep the doors open ay other times. We owe our thanks to Anne Brown, Marilyn Childs, Dorrice Hammer Polly Quinn, Bill Ryan, and Gladys Severance as well as Charlotte Ross.

No doubt everyone knows of the show ring success of Art Perry, Wendy Ayers, Joy Smith, Anne Brown, Richard Boule, and the Naus, proving that MHHF membership includes folks actively showing as well as supporting the Museum.

Upwards of 1000 people have visited the Museum this past year including foreigners from Israel, Sweden and France, as well as Canadians. Some report finding the Museum because of the Vermont Attractions map, one of our investments! We have also provided carpeting for upstairs and secured a new copying machine for the Museum. In short, we have been the major supporter of the Museum.

Among the gifts we have received have been: a glass display case from Lois Riggs; trophies and pictures of National Morgan Horse Show winners from Ayelien Richards; DVDs from Valerie Low. We appreciate these and other offerings from Laura Ward.

That brings me to our newest challenge. While we all relaxed somewhat when AMHI announced several years ago that AMHA and the Museum would remain in Vermont, suddenly before the Holidays AMHA decided to sell our Permanent Home in Shelburne. There are still those who want everything in Kentucky. I believe the rank and file members of the Morgan community want to keep the Permanent Home in Shelburne, Vermont.

Obviously, as the main documented custodian for the Museum in Vermont, the Morgan Horse Heritage Foundation must face this challenge.

My thanks to all who have so faithfully supported our cause.

 

Jerold Nau, President 

 Photos taken at the Annual Meeting