George Denney Award 2023

George Denney Award 2023

Kathy Smith receives George Denney Award

Presented at our Annual Meeting, April 29, 2023

The Freeport Historical Society established the George Denney Award for Generosity and Commitment to both Freeport Historical Society and the People of Freeport in 2022 to honor individuals who embody George’s dedication to FHS and his tireless devotion to the Freeport community. The award came at the capstone to the FHS’s building project, which owed much of its success to George and Joyce Denney’s transformative philanthropy. This year’s recipient, Kathy Smith, embodies the spirit and energy that George brought to both the FHS and the wider community.

Kathy is a quiet force within the FHS and the Freeport community, bringing her considerable expertise as a writer, editor, and public historian to everything she does on the Society’s behalf. She is a tireless advocate for FHS and its mission to preserve and share Freeport’s history. Kathy’s commitment and generosity to the Freeport community is equally inspiring. She works to build connections and bring people to the table, navigating both current and historical community matters with aplomb.

Kathy’s work in Freeport is a testament to the power of preserving and sharing our cultural heritage. Her time, considerable talents, and unmatched passion have made a positive impact on Freeport, and we are all better for it. We are grateful to Kathy for sharing her gifts with us and proud to honor her with this well-deserved award.