[music] >> Welcome to the Elliott Museum for the 2026 Preservationist of the Year Awards. This is a happy night not just at the Elliott Museum, but for all of all of Martin County and the faces and
the people in this room just make me smile. These are the warriors, the people that have taken it to task to preserve our history here in in Martin County. We're gathered here tonight to honor Barbara and Bruce Osborne who have been
again not working for days or weeks or months or years, but for decades to to make things happen. When you speak about historic preservation and protecting our history, Martin County is different because we
are so fortunate to have so many people that are true warriors. And so to come and speak uh especially when we talk about embodying history, Barbara and Bruce really take it to the next level uh and then and become
history. In 2015, with the blessing of local historian Sandra Thurlow, Barbara and Bruce Osborne became docents at the Captain Sewall House, one of Martin's iconic historic treasures. They were much more
than docents. Barbara and Bruce brought the history of that house to life. With a Martin County video as a backdrop, their first-person portrayals of Captain and Abby Sewall for the past 12 years have brought thousands of
visitors to the house. In January 2026, the local news reported that this couple {quote} known for their decades of volunteer service and dedication to preserving local history was receiving an outpouring of support
after losing everything in a devastating fire. That was just January 17th of this year. When I first called Barbara and Bruce and said I wanted to nominate for this award, they thought there was just too much going on this year and she wasn't sure, but I'm glad she called me back
and and let me do it. Yet despite their period clothing that they wear are so beautifully having been destroyed in the fire, Bruce and Barbara will portray Captain and Mrs. Soul during historic preservation month again this
year. They really bounced back. I don't know if I could do that. And when I had to give up welcoming people to the Captain Soul house, they just made me feel so good that it was being handled
even better with reenactments and they followed uh the uh uh the slideshow that I'd prepared and you know, embellished it with Barbara things. She had music, she had antique things, she had book dis-
displays. It was just so much better than when I was doing it all alone, but it's just such a wonderful thing to have there. And I'm so proud that you have taken care of things like you have. Barbara holds a lot of um lineage society
membership in addition to the Daughters of the American Revolution. She's a member of the Daughters of the American Colonists, the Daughters of the War of 1812, the Daughters of '98. That's not her class, that's the Spanish-American War.
The Endicott Society, the Scottish Elliott Clan Society, as well as currently she's the president of Colonial Dames 1717 um yeah, 17th century. So, this documentation of ancestors allows additional people to document
their ancestry and for the preservation of even more families. This also means Barbara knows a lot of dead people. Barbara is a woman who works at documenting history and passing it along. But, you may wonder what Bruce does.
If you don't care, then you can leave, but um Bruce is the wings beneath Barbara's. He's the wind between beneath Barbara's wings and assists his wife in all of these creative, academic, and theatrical efforts throughout as proven by his mad
dash to pick up the things that somebody didn't bring today. So, I am honored and pleased to um present at my friend Barbara Osborne and Bruce Osborne's historic preservation. I want to thank Barbara and Barbara and
Bruce, man. It really deep sinks deep in my soul and uh and I I I am so so so so happy to know you guys and fall in love with you.
You know, and I really do. You know, uh I want to say because of your high level consciousness about the legacy, protecting the legacy of the of the Swanna Color School House our board of directors
which now we call the beehive affectionately call you guys the B squad. You know, together you guys have done an extraordinary job helping all of us, every last one of us better appreciate
how we should use our historic buildings. I want to tell you something, guys. We want you to continue legacy. With that said we expect even a double impact going forward. You know, when you become a
preservationist, not just for that year. I've learned recently it's a lifetime adventure. It's a lifetime commitment. So, you just don't get away with 2025. You just got to keep on going on. So, I just I just want to tell you guys that in case you didn't know that. It's
forever. I'd love to ask Elise Rafa and Patricia Higginbotham talk about keeping things in order. Uh they're the the county staff that works so close with us with historic preservation board, historic preservation month. Uh
we've elevated our profile thanks to your great work. You guys have have really taken this and run with it. All our printed matter, everything online, everything else. I mean, we're we're you've legitimized um our our work that we've done and
we're so deeply appreciative of that. Would you guys please stand up and allow us to recognize you? I have been blessed to work alongside many wonderful people whose dedication and a love for our community continue to
inspire me every day. For that, I will always be thankful. Tonight it give me a great joy to pass this honor toward
forward to Bruce and Barbara Osborne. A a couple whose kindness, hard work, and an unwavering commitment and devotion to our community truly remind us that preserving history is
truly an act of love. Thank you for allowing me to the privilege of serving our community and for this honor that I will forever treasure.
May God bless all of you and continue preservation of our shared history. It is my pleasure and honor to introduce Barbara and Bruce.
If you please come up. >> [applause] >> And I present you preservationist of the year 2026. >> [applause] [applause] [applause] >> That thing is heavy. Beautifully done.
Thank you. Just so you know, my credentials are I'm Barbara's husband. That's about it. Historic preservation isn't nostalgia. It's a vision. It provides a vision for the future. It provides values for people to honor and recognize. He didn't
read a single word that I After 50 years, I know. I'm going to um fill in his blanks. Um Today, I'm reminded that historic preservation is never the work of one person. It's a long chain of hands, past
and present, each doing their part to protect the stories that shape us. When we preserve a building, a landscape, or even a single artifact, we are preserving more than wood, brick, or stone. We are preserving memory, identity.
We are preserving the the lived experiences of people who walked these streets long before we did. And we're making sure future generations can walk them, too, with a sense of connection and belonging.
Every structure we save, every story we document, every community we uplift becomes a bridge between generations. This work asks us to be caretakers, storytellers, and sometimes stubborn
defenders of places that cannot speak for themselves. And I'm proud to stand among people who understand that heritage is not a luxury, it's a responsibility. I'm deeply grateful for the volunteers,
historians, craftspeople, neighbors, and advocates who poured their time and passion into this historical preservation work. You inspire me every day. This award may have our name on it, but it belongs to all of you.
We both thank you for this recognition. It says, "May it serve as a reminder that the work continues and that together we can ensure the past remains a living, breathing part of our shared future." Preserving history is one of the most meaningful commitments a community can make, and we are humbled to play a small
part in that effort. This award reflects the dedication of many people who believe our heritage deserves to be protected, celebrated, and passed on. I'm grateful for your trust, your collaboration, and your shared passion for keeping our history alive.
Thank you for believing that history is worth saving and for allowing us to be part of that mission. Thank you and good night. >> [applause] >> I think Yeah. Good. Thank you for coming tonight and congratulations to our preservationist of the year.
>> [applause]