Appalachian Awards Presented in Columbus
Press Release
COLUMBUS — In addition to the Ohio Hills Health Center award at the Annual Appalachia Heritage Luncheon in Columbus Tuesday, seven other awards were presented.
The Annual Appalachian Heritage Luncheon is a joint venture of Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area and Heritage Ohio.
The luncheon recognizes the outstanding people, places and projects that make the 32-county Appalachia region of Ohio such a rich cultural area. The event is sponsored by AEP Ohio, with additional support from OhioSE, The Ohio Arts Council, JobsOhio, and the Ohio Lottery.
The event was hosted by Senator Tim Schaffer, and other special guests. This year, the organization received a record 31 nominations for the eight awards of recognition.
Honoree: Sam Miller, development director — Buckeye Hills Regional Council
County: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, & Washington: As development director at Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Sam Miller is dedicated to improving the quality of life across Appalachian Ohio. Sam has approached every initiative with a consistent focus on honoring the region’s cultural identity while building its economic future. Her work has been carried out through years of engagement with local leaders, nonprofits, and residents, ensuring community voices shape development efforts. Sam has established Appalachian Ohio as a place where collaboration is the norm, not the exception. Through Sam’s dedication, communities have gained access to critical resources, businesses have been supported, and heritage assets have been preserved for future generations. Her leadership has brought in millions of dollars in investment and instilled pride and optimism among Appalachian residents. The result is a stronger, more resilient region where cultural heritage is recognized as an identity and an economic asset. Sam’s work ensures that Appalachian heritage remains a source of pride and strength for decades. Honoree: Belpre Farmers Castle Museum — Underground Railroad Exhibit County: Washington The Underground Railroad exhibit at the Belpre Farmers Castle Museum honors the stories of freedom seekers who passed through Washington County, Ohio, and the brave abolitionists who aided them. The project was developed as part of the museum’s mission to protect and interpret the region’s abolitionist history, foster community awareness, and encourage intergenerational storytelling. It has also boosted heritage tourism, drawing visitors to Belpre and supporting the local economy. Volunteers, educators, churches, and historians have collaborated to collect artifacts, documents, oral histories, and interpretive materials that tell a powerful story of resistance and hope.
Honoree: Old Burying Ground Restoration
Highland County: The Old Burying Ground Restoration Project was born out of John King and Scott Anderson’s interest in local history, preservation, and community renewal, as well as their desire to honor those buried in the historic cemetery. With some burials dating back to over 200 years ago, weather, neglect, and vandals degraded the cemetery. The Old Burying Ground Restoration Project is restoring Greenfield’s original cemetery to renew community interest in the area’s history. Local schools now bring students to the cemetery to learn about people, place, and community, adding to the authenticity of the town’s historic district. The project has encouraged volunteering, provided families seeking their ancestral history with a resource map, and provided a space for re-enactments that share the stories of Greenfield’s past. The project demonstrates a responsibility to preserve and protect, learn from history, and build the future.
Honoree: Pike Heritage Museum
Pike County: For 43 years, the Pike Heritage Museum has creatively showcased Pike County’s heritage through unique projects. They have made outstanding progress in creating these projects, including the establishment of a memorial for fallen Pike County veterans and the creation of Pike Heritage Day, an annual celebration at the museum that brings together artists, storytellers, community members, and downtown businesses. The ongoing projects and successes of the museum would not have been possible without the leadership of the board, who recognize the tremendous responsibility and opportunity to educate and inspire more people about Pike County’s unique history.
Honoree: Steve Free Folk Music
Scioto County: As a lifelong resident of Appalachia with Shawnee and Cherokee roots, Steve Free and his music embody the enduring spirit of the Southern Ohio hills. Steve Free is a singer-songwriter who has made a successful career for himself as a musician on both the national and international music scenes. Through it all, he has maintained a strong connection to his local community. Steve Free can be found at charitable events across the region. He is a frequent performer at Main Street Portsmouth In-Bloom fundraisers and at farmers’ markets. Through his original songwriting, Steve Free brings positive attention to the beauty and traditions of Appalachia and Scioto County. Steve Free has been the recipient of many well-deserved awards, including the 2008 Ohio Governor’s Award for Individual Artist. His life’s work is a tribute to Appalachia and what it means to be Appalachian.
Honoree: Hidden Hills Orchard
Washington County: Hidden Hills Orchard is a sustainable, community-centered orchard with cherry trees, peach trees, and 22 varieties of apple trees. They are known for their famous apple cider, which received first-place awards in 2004, 2013, and 2016 in the Ohio Apple Cider Contest. The farm property was originally used as a dairy farm, and in 1998, it was purchased and became established as an apple orchard. Tom and Kathy Burch took over operations in 2011, expanding U-pick and adding more apple varieties. They are committed to operating a sustainable orchard and do so with solar panels, a drip irrigation system, pollinator habitat maintenance, and more. Tom and Kathy’s son, Dan, and his wife, Katie, fell in love with the orchard and wanted a lifestyle that centered around getting to be together as a family. In March of 2021, they moved to the orchard and made it their full-time work. Hidden Hills Orchard is a wonderful example of a legacy farm that has adapted, implemented sustainable farming techniques, and connected to the community in meaningful ways.
Honoree: Artist Colony of Zanesville
Muskingum County: In 2004, bronze sculptor Alan Cottrill helped establish an artist colony in downtown Zanesville to enrich student arts programs and revitalize the downtown area. In the late 2000s, public schools were cutting arts programs, and students turned to the downtown artist colony for visual and performing arts lessons, which continue to this day. Buildings that had long been in decline were renovated and inhabited by art studios and galleries. The Artist Colony of Zanesville hosts a monthly First Friday Art Walk, which increases downtown foot traffic and generates business for local restaurants, artisans, and other establishments. The previously awarded Y-Bridge Arts Festival was created by the early organizers and artisans and continues to this day, drawing 2000+ people one weekend a month during the Summer. To this day, the Artist Colony of Zanesville’s efforts in art education and awareness continue to enrich the lives of local artists and community members.
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About Heritage Ohio: As Ohio’s official historic preservation and Main Street organization, Heritage Ohio fosters economic development and sustainability through preservation of historic buildings, revitalization of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, and promotion of cultural tourism. Learn more about the work of Heritage Ohio at www.heritageoho.org .
(Heritage Ohio Press Release)
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