Opening and Dedication of the New Quaker Heritage Center at Wilmington College

The Meriam R. Hare Quaker Heritage Center

MISSION

To educate present and future generations of diverse audiences about the historic and living traditions and concerns of the Religious Society of Friends.

PURPOSE

To educate by acquiring, preserving, displaying and interpreting artifacts; by providing tours, presentations, lectures activities, and programs on site; by outreach activities, and by maintaining an online presence.

The Quaker Heritage Center is a result of the vision and generosity of the late College trustee, Meriam R. Hare, '49. Through her estate, Meriam gave the largest gift in Wilmington College's history. In her last will and testament, Meriam established the Quaker Heritage Center: "The remaining balance of my estate, I give and bequeath to Wilmington College, to be used for the expansion of exising or construction of new facilities to provide space, adequate for the processing and display of artifacts and archives to preserve and present to future generations the Quaker Heritage."

On Sunday afternoon, September 25th, 2005, the opening and dedication of the new Quaker Heritage Center at Wilmington College was celebrated at 1:30 P.M. in the Hugh G. Heiland Theatre. The speakers at the celebration were:

Daniel A. DiBasio, President of Wilmington College

Christine Hadley Snyder, Chair of Wilmington College Board of Trustees

Ruth Dobyns, Curator of the Quaker Heritage Center

T. Canby Jones, Professor Emeritus, Wilmington College

Tom Hamm, Earlham College, Friends Collection and College Archives

Joe Volk, Friends Committee on National Legislation

Margaret Fraser, Friends World Committee for Consultation, Section of the Americas

Ron Rembert, Wilmington College Professor, Religion & Philosophy

Martha Hinshaw-Sheldon, Wilmington College Campus Minister

Music was provided by the Wilmington Yearly Meeting Choir, Allen Schwartz and the Wilmington College Chorale.

Judith P. Sargent, the Chairperson of the "Wilmington Yearly Meeting Heritage Fund Quaker Courtyard Project" spoke about the fundaising effort underway to erect a bronze sculpture, "Who Sends Thee?" and four testimony gardens with benches on the Wilmington College campus, which will serve as a visible witness to Quaker values and heritage: the Quaker Testimonies of Integrity, Equality, Simplicity, and Peace. The gardens will be situated between Watson Library and the new Quaker Heritage Center. For more information please contact the Wilmington College Advancement Office at 937-382-6661, ext. 273.

Also see, Who Sends Thee?

INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE QUAKER HERITAGE CENTER~
MEETINGHOUSE & MUSEUM

The Meetinghouse

The Museum

Also see, Campus Monthly Meeting ~ Wilmington College located in the Kelly Center.