1982 - Joan Fry Goering
GRINDSTONE AWARD
1982

 

Joan Fry
Goering
One of her coworkers at Mahler Museum put it best: "Joan's hands, heart and mind, not to mention her physical strength, were the driving force that made the realization of our dreams possible." Those dreams, of course, were the Mahler Museum, headquarters and showpiece of the Berea Historical Society and the crown jewel Of Mrs. Goering's Grindstone Award.

Joan Goering always had been interested in history. Born in Pennsylvania, she majored in history at Penn State University, receiving a degree in education from that institution. After graduate work at Temple University and Penn State, she taught for three years in Pennsylvania before marrying and moving to Cleveland. In seeking a permanent home in this area, Joan, her husband Bernard and daughters Shelly and Amy were impressed with Berea and its century homes. They moved here in 1968 to live in one of them.

She immediately sought involvement in the life of her new community, becoming active in Girl Scouts, PTAs and Junior Women's League, which she served as president in the Leagues 25th anniversary year.

Her interest in history and memorabilia also became apparent when Joan researched the background of the century home she lives in, on Eastland Road, and launched a program to provide this service to owners of other venerable homes built in Berea's past. Joan designed the plaque and certificate used to identify Berea's century homes.

She also joined the Berea Historical Society, serving as its Secretary for 4 years and Vice President for 2 years. In 1975 the Historical Society was given the Mahler grant of $50,000, together with the twin challenges of raising another $50,000 to purchase the building on East Bridge Street and to refurbish the structure as a museum. Upon becoming the Society's president in 1976, Joan set about, in her characteristic dynamic way, to accomplish these objectives. Her hard work and leadership culminated in the dedication of Mahler Museum on July 4, 1979. Mrs. Goering has served as director of the museum since 1979.

Joan is a member of the board of trustees of the Inter-Museum Council of Greater Cleveland and of Discover Berea / Chamber of Commerce. She was listed in "Who's Who Among Women Civic Leaders in America" in 1980.

For preserving Berea's treasures for future generations, Joan Fry Goering became the 17th Grindstone winner, Berea's Citizen of the Year for 1982.
Presented April xx, 1982 Baldwin-Wallace College Union