Garst Museum Board Member Eileen Litchfield Honored for Museum Advocacy
Earlier this year, the Ohio Museums Association (OMA) announced that Eileen Litchfield earned its Museum Advocate Award. Litchfield has long supported Garst Museum, having served on the Darke County Historical Society board for over 16 years and currently serving as president of the Annie Oakley Center Foundation.
In nominating Litchfield for the award, Dr. Clay Johnson, president and CEO of Garst Museum, stated, “Eileen Litchfield’s advocacy has created a lasting legacy for the Garst Museum through her dedicated, hands-on leadership and commitment to the museum and the National Annie Oakley Center. Her leadership has boosted volunteer involvement, supported the museum’s mission, and increased public awareness of Annie Oakley’s legacy.” He added, “Her selfless dedication has strengthened the museum’s resilience, visibility, and community trust, making her advocacy both impactful and enduring.”
While Litchfield has held key leadership roles at the Garst Museum, her work extends far beyond her titles. As president of the AOCF, she and her board were instrumental in acquiring the Longfelder family collection of Annie Oakley artifacts, including a revolver once owned by the Darke County sharpshooter. The collection was transferred to the museum, and many of the items are now on exhibit at the National Annie Oakley Center. She continues to work closely with museum staff to improve the exhibits.
In his nomination, Johnson stated, “Eileen Litchfield’s commitment to public history and civic engagement spans several decades and extends well beyond her current leadership roles at the Garst Museum and National Annie Oakley Center. Regional press coverage documents her long-standing advocacy for education, historic preservation, and community storytelling throughout Darke County and western Ohio.”
Litchfield has juggled many projects simultaneously and has provided leadership on numerous committees and boards. She has helped transform downtown Greenville through her role on the Greenville Mural Committee, has been an advocate for education from her time as a member of the Greenville Board of Education, has served on the League of Women Voters, and has served 30 years on the Darke County Foundation board. Those are just a few of the programs she has served.
Johnson said, “Taken together, Eileen Litchfield is a dedicated, multi-decade museum advocate whose influence spans artifact preservation and interpretation, public art, education, and civic engagement. Her leadership has helped ensure that Ohio’s history is preserved, visible, and meaningful to the public. Her decades-long selfless commitment to the Darke County community has left a lasting impression that will be enjoyed for years to come.”
Litchfield could not be present to accept the award but offered a video thanking the OMA for the award. Although she expressed her gratitude for the award, she did what she normally does. She put others ahead of herself. Instead of talking about herself and her accomplishments, Litchfield sent an acceptance video that put a spotlight on the museum. “I thought that in accepting the award for museum advocate, and thank you very much for that, that I would advocate for Garst Museum and the National Annie Oakley Center and give you one more quick tour of this amazing museum.” She highlighted each wing of the museum, spoke about many of the exhibits, and encouraged those gathered at the OMA event to come to Greenville, visit Garst Museum and discover Darke County and the many treasures it holds.
Comments