Biographies and portraits of past Community/Town Treasures awardees can be viewed on this page.
2017 Town Treasures
The 2017 Town Treasures event was organized by a committee consisting of Sarah Geer, Richard Ellington, Barbara Pipkin, Marsha Jepsen, and Tom Jepsen. Pat Oglesby assisted with interviews. Eleanor Morris, Marlene Dickison, Kris Lalumiere, and Susan Newrock helped with meeting and reception arrangements. The photography was contributed by David Gellatly and Dave Otto. Proclamations were presented by Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger and Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle. The Historical Society is grateful to the Chapel Hill Public Library for its generous support.
2017 Town Treasures
Jane and Adam Stein
Joseph Fearrington
Lillie Lee Atwater
Norma White
Stanley Peele
Ted Parrish
Tim Taft
2016 Town Treasures
The 2016 Town Treasures event was organized by a committee consisting of Sarah Geer, Richard Ellington, Barbara Pipkin, Marsha Jepsen, and Tom Jepsen. Susan Worley and Valerie Yow assisted with interviews. The photography was contributed by David Gellatly and Bill Burlingame. This year, proclamations were presented by Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger and Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle. The Historical Society is grateful to the Chapel Hill Public Library for its generous support. You can find photos and biographies of each of our 2016 Town Treasures below:
2016 Town Treasures
Lula Alston
Shirley and Marvin Block
Woody Durham
Henry Jones
George Lensing
Peggy Misch
Gordon Neville
Lisa Price
2015 Town Treasures
The 2015 Town Treasures event was organized by a committee consisting of Eleanor Morris, Marsha Jepsen, and Tom Jepsen. Bill Burlingame, Marlene Dickison, and Valerie Yow assisted with interviews. The photography was contributed by Bob Schreiner and Linda Jacobson. The Historical Society is grateful to the Chapel Hill Public Library for its generous support. You can find photos and biographies of each of our 2015 Town Treasures below:
2015 Town Treasures
Daphne Athas
Mary Alice Eckman
Marian Cheek Jackson
William Leuchtenberg
Ken Moore
Gertrude Rogers Nunn
Joseph Polcaro
Frances Lloyd Shetley
Robert Edward Strayhorn
2014 Town Treasures
The 2014 Town Treasures event was organized by a committee consisting of Laurie Norman, Eleanor Morris, Philip Brown, and Tom Jepsen. The photography was contributed by Michael Hobbs and writing by Lindsay Ogles. The Historical Society is grateful to the Chapel Hill Public Library for its generous support. You can find photos and biographies of each of our 2014 Town Treasures below:
2014 Town Treasures
Irene Briggaman
Ken Broun
Arthur DeBerry
Pat Evans
Elizabeth Gervais-Gruen
Verla Insko
Lee Pavao
Nancy Preston
2013 Town Treasures
Laurie Norman coordinated this year’s event, along with Eleanor Morris. The photography was contributed by Michael Hobbs and writing by Margot Lester and Elizabeth Swaringen. The Historical Society is grateful to the Seymour Center for its generous support. You can find photos and biographies of each of our 2013 Town Treasures below:
2013 Town Treasures
Leo W. Wagoner
Phyllis Sockwell
Jacob “Jake” Hardee
Jonathan Howes
William and Anne McLendon
Milton Julian
James and Florence Peacock
Prince Taylor, Sr.
Virginia Merritt Grantham
2012 Town Treasures
This exhibit of photographs and memoirs honors individuals who have guided, protected, taught and led the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Chapel Hill native and professional photographer, Catharine Carter, captured images of these Town Treasures and The Chapel Hill Historical Society compiled their favorite recollections and their hopes for the future. Each honoree was asked to reflect on four questions:
- Which of your contributions do you find most gratifying?
- What is the most significant way the community has changed?
- What is your fondest memory of Chapel Hill and Carrboro?
- What is your hope for the future of our community?
The annual recognition of Town Treasures has been a project of the Chapel Hill Historical Society that fulfills the mission of making the past present. In honoring these individuals, we give them a heartfelt “Thank you!” and aim to inspire others to actively serve our community. You can find photos and biographies of each of our 2012 Town Treasures below:
2012 Town Treasures
Alice Gordon
James and Elizabeth Bryan
Dolores Clark
Everette Lloyd
Harriet and Kimball King
Joseph L. Nassif
Joyce Brown
Lindy Pendergrass
Thelma Perkins