It’s been a “successful and productive year” for the Butler County Historical Society, according to out-going President Greg Young.

At the society’s annual meeting Thursday, Young cited the dedication of the Herbert T. and Olive S. Randall Research center on April 28 as a landmark event and a catalyst for increased activity.

“The research center has enabled us to improve the programming in our house museum,” he said. “It’s given us much-needed storage space and quality work space for all our volunteers.”

Young reported that as of the end of October, the society has received 256 visitors looking to do historical or genealogical research, double the number for the entire year 2011. Society volunteers have logged 1,626 hours of research in response to those requests.

A total of 885 people came to the Benninghofen House museum for tours, and the society’s membership increased by 37 in the past year, to a total of 317.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” Young said. “We built it, and they came.”

Executive Director Kathy Creighton honored Marlene Cormack as the Volunteer of the Year.

“She joined us as a volunteer just one year ago, but she comes in here three to five days a week for eight hours a day,” Creighton said. “Without her, I don’t know what I’d do because she allows me to keep the museum open while I go to meetings.

“She has worked with authors on five or six different books and has spent countless hours in genealogical research,” Creighton said.

In-coming President Curtis Ellison presented four community members with the 2012 Distinguished Historian Award:

• Valerie E. Elliott, for her leadership at the Smith Library of Regional History in Oxford, part of the Lane Library System.
• James S. Irwin, for his research leading to an important judicial history exhibit for Butler County.
• Karen Persson Whalen, for her work with Heritage Hall and the Butler County History Collaborative and as curator of the Lane-Hooven House.
• Robert Thomin, awarded posthumously for his work in preserving a log cabin at 4321 Princeton Road, its original site in the Symmes Purchase.

The society recognized out-going board members Larry Fiehrer, Patty Fawns and Todd Stidham, and installed new members Dennis Malone and Linda Keller.

New officers include Ellison, Vice President Craig Keller, Treasurer Ben Jones and Secretary Linda Keller.