County Commissioners Honored by Historical Society 

The Westmoreland County Commissioners ' Tom Balya, Tom Ceraso and Phil Light ' were among the honorees at the Westmoreland County Historical Society's Arthur St. Clair Historic Preservation Awards ceremony. The Society hosted its annual event to celebrate historic preservation.

The Arthur St. Clair Historic Preservation Award is presented annually to those individuals, public or private organizations, businesses or educational institutions that have made a significant and sustainable contribution to the preservation of historic places, documents, records or stories, and by doing so, are keeping alive Westmoreland County's rich history and heritage for future generations.

Commissioners Balya, Ceraso and Light were recognized for their leadership to enhance Historic Hanna's Town.
In announcing the award, Historical Society Executive director Lisa Hays stated, 'The commissioners' commitment to the History Education Center at Hanna's Town is key to making this project a reality.  When the Westmoreland County Historical Society embarked on plans to construct the Center, the county commissioners were the first to embrace the concept, acknowledging both the value of preserving our heritage and the benefit of transforming Historic Hanna's Town into a viable tourist destination. 

The commissioners provided seed money to begin a capital account and were the first to commit a significant amount to the capital campaign.


'They have provided leadership and vital assistance in seeking funding from government and private funding streams including foundations and the business community.  From the beginning, the commissioners wisely recognized that raising capital funds is only one part of the process; once built, the History Education Center must be sustainable. To facilitate its sustainability, the commissioners have committed that the county will provide for regular maintenance, cleaning services, utility costs and insurance once the facility is built.  Also important, the county commissioners have championed the project at every opportunity, helping to increase public awareness.'

Also honored at the event:

• The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, which developed an innovative solution to the unique challenge of interpreting a six-county portion of the historic Lincoln Highway, the first road across America, creating the informative and fanciful  200-Mile Roadside Museum. 
• Glenn Smeltzer, a retired physics teacher in the Hempfield School District who has spent his retirement years educating others about the important history of Westmoreland County.  Smeltzer is best known for his expertise on the 11th PA Civil War Regiment, and he has presented many programs on this topic for various community organizations and Continuing Education classes at Westmoreland County Community College.
• Dr. Robert C. Wilburn for professional achievement in the field of historical preservation and education.  A native of Westmoreland County and graduate of Derry Area High School, Dr. Wilburn is spearheading the effort to raise more than $120 million to build a new visitors center for the Gettysburg Battlefield and to properly care for its unique treasures so this unparalleled chapter in American history may be more thoroughly understood.

or more information, contact the Westmoreland County History Society at 724-836-1800 or visit  www.starofthewest.org.