Bosque Museum docents dedicate marker to founders on 40th anniversary

• The Bosque Museum's docents celebrated their organization's 40th anniversary on Sunday, March 24, with a ceremony honoring the original 12 charter members. Photo Courtesy By Bosque Museum

The Bosque Museum Docents marked the 40th anniversary of their group’s formation and honored the memory of the 12 charter members on Sunday, March 24, with a dedication ceremony at 2 pm beneath the museum pavilion.

Two Berlin Garden octagon tables were gifted to the museum by the current docents and a marker was unveiled to mark the occasion.

Family and visitors enjoyed cake and refreshments indoors while Museum Executive Director Erin Shields welcomed guests and Docent President Cindy Upton spoke to the importance of docents past and present to the museum and the untold volunteers hours they have devoted over four decades to support the museum's goals and mission.

Docent secretary/treasurer Bryan Davis shared his research of the docent organization and the 12 women who initiated the program. These women came from every corner of Bosque County and every walk of life. Many were successful businesswomen, several with advanced degrees, and some were published authors, while several were educators. All devoted their time and talents to the success of the museum while juggling family obligations and careers.

The Museum Docent Program began in 1983. Charter docents honored and remembered during the ceremony were Pearl Andrus, Doreen Dulick, Fran Grimm, Carol Holder, Alma Key, Mary Krueger, Dorothy Manly, Ethie Moore, Sue Murphey, Mary Orbeck, Anna Leslie Richardson, and Dee Sharp.

The dedication ceremony included a display of photos and histories of each woman, all of whom are now deceased.

The donated octagon tables are made by an Amish-owned company in Ohio and composed entirely of recyclable material. They weigh 238 pounds and seat eight people.

Docents hope they will last many generations and provide a practical purpose for outdoor gatherings as well as a physical reminder of those who paved the way for the Docent Program and fostered the growth and success of the Bosque Museum.