The Prairie Landscape

The Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award - 2006


Rebecca Brewer, Ph.D.

Nominated By The Honorable David Keen


Mount Vernon


Rebecca Brewer, Ph.D.

As a long time leader in the Jefferson County Historical Society, first as a member of its Board of Directors and for three years as its president, Rebecca Brewer has been the guiding force in the development of the Jefferson County Historical Village, a setting of 14 buildings representing a rural community of 100 years ago. Mayor David Keen of Mt. Vernon believes that "the story of the Jefferson County Historical Village is the story of Beckie Brewer's contributions." When a site was donated for the village, Ms. Brewer was in the forefront of the long and exhausting clearing effort, which required her to carry a compass to keep her bearings on the densely wooded tract of land. She donated several letter presses and the building for the village's print shop as her personal gift to the society. The village now includes a museum and entertains thousands of visitors a year, and Ms. Brewer continues to spend several hours most days nearly year round as unofficial curator and adviser, exhibiting her enthusiasm and dedication in interpreting various periods of her community's history.

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