Lifetime Achievement Honoree Glenn Porter (Harford)
Glenn Porter is a retired Harford County educator, and was selected for the Governor’s Service Award in the Lifetime Achievement category. For the past 35 years he has volunteered with the Friends of Jerusalem Mill, an all-volunteer non-profit public charity, to preserve and present Maryland’s rich history in the oldest, most intact mill village in the state.
Glenn plays an active role in a year-round living history program that offers visitors a variety of ways to witness Maryland’s industrial and cultural heritage. The programs developed under Glenn’s leadership have attracted an estimated 800,000 visitors over the last 25 years hailing from every state and 42 other countries. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for 25 years as a board member, Secretary, Vice President and President. He has been the Education Coordinator for 20 years, developing and presenting special programs to 600-800 students who visit the village on field trips each year (approximately 14,000 students during Glenn’s tenure)! For the past 13 years he has led a group participating in the Maryland Adopt-A-Highway program. He recruits helpers, provides the materials, and personally participates in the cleanup on a regular basis.
Glenn’s insistence on accuracy and authenticity as the organization portrays Maryland’s history to visitors of all ages, ethnicity, genders, heritage, etc. has been an inspiration to the historic interpreters of the Friends of Jerusalem Mill. His enthusiasm is contagious, and is easily reflected on the many visitors that he meets.
Glenn Porter greeting school children in front of Jerusalem Mill.
Glenn telling the children how gunstocks were made and rifles assembled in the village for the Maryland militia during the Revolutionary War.
Glenn telling the children how gunstocks were made and rifles assembled in the village for the Maryland militia during the Revolutionary War.
Glenn behind the counter of the 1930s General Store, describing and showing the types of wares sold in the store and explaining how the store was often used as a social gathering place, and in the case of Jerusalem Mill Village the general store also served as the local post office.
