Certain people go about their day quietly working and doing what they love. They go out of their way to assist others with projects, research and events. And they do it never expecting anything in return for all their hard work or for giving back to their community.
Patrick Kavanagh is that kind of guy. And in recognition of his hard work, Pat was awarded the Education and Outreach Award at the Preservation Buffalo Niagara luncheon yesterday at the Hyatt hotel. Award categories were established to acknowledge distinguished contributions to our community through preservation activity. Recipients have been recognized in the following areas: restoration; rehabilitation/adaptive use; stewardship; landscape preservation; neighborhood conservation; preservation service; and education and outreach.
Pat is the researcher, archivist and historian for Forest Lawn Cemetery. For the past 15 years, Pat - a true scholar - has been an integral part of uncovering the many stories that are told through Forest Lawn's many programs, tours and lectures. Pat, who is a dynamic presenter himself, combines his knowledge with a genuine enthusiasm for any subject he researches. He spends countless hours going through the many volumes of records and information stored at the cemetery since its founding in 1849. Pat's efforts to organize and preserve these precious documents are heroic, with hours spent at local libraries, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society and scouring local collections, too.
Besides doing peerless work at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Pat assists other institutions and individuals with research. An avid fan of military history, he recently co-authored, with fellow enthusiast Christopher Brown, a field guide about the War of 1812. Pat's work with members of the Buffalo Civil War Roundtable will be evident in Forest Lawn's upcoming Muster in the MeadowSM, a Civil War lifetime learning experience on Sunday, May 29th from 10am - 5pm. Pat has also collaborated with the Buffalo Museum of Science, The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, University at Buffalo and the Lower Lakes Museum - just to name a few.
Congratulations to Pat for assuring our future by revealing the past!
Pictures and story by Sandra Starks, Forest Lawn Cemetery's Interpretive Program Director. Photo above, Kavanagh is joined by Red Jacket, Alvin Parker.
a well-deserved award.