Dawn Elliott Named 2018 Martha Washington Woman of History
This item appeared in Orange County Historian Johanna Yaun's January 31, 2018 Newsletter
Historic interpreter, reenactor, preservationist, educator and researcher Dawn Elliott is this year's recipient of the Martha Washington Woman of History Award. This award is given by Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site each year to a woman who has made a contribution to the history of the Hudson Valley through education, promotion, or preservation. The honor was inspired by Martha Washington, an outstanding woman in history who resided in the Hudson Valley with her husband, General George Washington, during the last days of the Revolutionary War.
Ms. Elliott, of New Paltz, is Site Manager at Locust Lawn Museum, where she introduced the "Ancients Alive" event, and is also involved with interpretation at the Locust Grove Historic Estate. Ms. Elliott began volunteering at Historic Huguenot Street at the age of fourteen. This led to a position of interpreter at that location, where she created Historic Huguenot Street's Haunted Huguenot Street Halloween program. She has been associated with that location ever since. Ms. Elliott was later employed at Senate House in the same capacity of historic interpreter prior to going to Locust Lawn Estate. She is also employed at Museum Village, where her involvement extends to providing essential collections care services, designing and installing exhibits, managing a volunteer program and organizing and interpreting at their special events. She is a volunteer, interpreter and creator of programs, presentations and interpretive characterizations at historic sites up and down the Hudson River Valley. Her characterizations are extensive, representing the 17th century to the 20th century. She is a member of the Town of New Paltz Historic Preservation Commission and the founder of Scions of Patria, an organization that interprets Dutch colonial domestic life. Along with doing this, Ms. Elliott also works to promote historic preservation by trying to save endangered buildings and archaeological sites like the Revolutionary War Fishkill Supply Depot.
The award presentation will take place on March 18, 2018, during the Women's History Month program, The General's Lady. The public is welcome to attend the program, starting at 2:00 PM. For further details or directions, call 845-562-1195.