About Us

The John & Annie Glenn Historic Site is a private, non-profit organization which is privately funded and maintained by admissions, memberships and private donations.

Its mission is to honor the first American to orbit the Earth and his partnership with a remarkable woman. We teach about life during the Great Depression and the Home Front during WWII.

The Historic Site is administered by a volunteer Board of Trustees representing the village of New Concord, East Muskingum School District, and Muskingum College.

The support of the broader American community, its citizens and foundations is greatly appreciated.

Board of Trustees

Jack J. Taylor, President
Jack, a New Concord native, is a 1954 graduate of New Concord High School and a 1958 graduate of Muskingum College. A former store manager for Sherwin-Williams, Jack joined Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical as business manager in 1968 and retired in 1995 as president and chief executive officer. Jack is very active in the community and serves on the boards of the New Concord United Methodist Church, Cambridge Savings Bank, Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center/Guernsey Health Systems, Boy Scouts of America Muskingum Valley Council and the Malta Masonic Lodge. He has been honored as Distinguished Citizen by the Boy Scouts of America Muskingum Valley Council and is a member of the East Muskingum Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. As a teenager, Jack helped his father, Mayor James Taylor, organize the mammoth 1962 John Glenn Homecoming.

Darrel Cubbison, Vice-President
Darrel is a lifelong resident of Muskingum County. He is manager of member services for Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, Inc., New Concord, Ohio. He has served on the Board of Trade and ReNew (Renew the Environment) of New Concord. He is president of the Muskingum County Fair Board, a member of the National Trail Ruritan Club and a board member of the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center. He is secretary of the Ohio 4-H Foundation and serves on the Muskingum County Extension Advisory Committee. He is past chairman of the OSU State Extension Support Committee and past president of the OSU State Extension Advisory Committee. He is also a past member of CARET (Council on Agricultural Research Extension and Teaching). He has also taught church school at New Concord United Methodist Church since 1963. He received the Bob and Delores Hope Good Samaritan Award in 1996 for his contributions to his community and was recognized by the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center by Epsilon Sigma Phi, the national honorary extension fraternity, for outstanding public service and support of the Ohio Cooperative Extension Service and its educational programs. He received the 2002 Dedicated Public Service Award from the Village of New Concord and in 2004, the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Muskingum Valley Council Boy Scouts of America. He is also a member of the East Muskingum Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

Dr. Lorle Porter, Ph.D., Secretary
Lorle Porter holds a BA from Notre Dame College of Ohio, an MA from Boston College, and a PhD from the University of New Mexico. She retired in 1998 after 34 years of teaching history at Muskingum College and now serves as the college's regional historian in residence. Dr. Porter is the author of 10 books on regional history. She has received numerous awards including Muskingum College's outstanding teaching award, the Ohio Academy of History Outstanding Teaching Award, the Village of New Concord's Dedicated Public Servant Award (1999) and the Commendation Award (1996) from the American Association of State and Local History for her work on the history of southeastern Ohio. In 2000, she was elected to the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. In 2006 she received Muskingum County Community Foundation's Thomas Award for Public Service and an Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. She and Don McKendry were the driving force behind the creation of the Historic Site.

Philip E. Laube, Treasurer
Phil Laube is an Ohio native from Findley. He is controller and Senior Financial Manager for Muskingum College. He holds a bachelor's degree from Kent State University and has been a CPA since 1990. Prior to his move to New Concord, Laube had extensive experience with not-for-profit and for-profit organizations as an auditor with Ernst & Young. He also worked with a start-up software concern as its controller and Human Resources/MIS director. Laube presents programs on personal financial issues to new students and seniors at the college.

Larry A. Miller, Emeritus Trustee
Larry is a native of New Concord and a graduate of New Concord High School. He has a BS from Marietta College and an MA from West Virginia University with additional professional work at Ohio University. He is a former Superintendent of East Muskingum Schools and of the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center which he continues to serve as a consultant. He is active in school and civic groups including the Zanesville Rotary, American Association of School Administrators, Coalition for Rural Appalachian Schools and the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding. In 2003, he received the Village of New Concord's Dedicated Public Service Award. Larry is a member of the East Muskingum Schools Athletic Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

Don L. McKendry, Emeritus Director
Don is a native of New Concord and a graduate of New Concord High School. He holds a BA from Muskingum College in business administration and economics and a master's degree in education from Ohio University. He was Principal at John Glenn High School for 22 years and then served as Education Department certification officer, Assistant to the Education Chair and Alumni Director for Muskingum College. Don is active in the Zanesville Rotary where he served as president in 1999 - 2000. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for Genesis Hospital in Zanesville and the Muskingum County Comprehensive Planning Committee. He is a member of the East Muskingum Schools Athletic Hall of Fame and the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Don received The Dedicated Public Service Award from the Village of New Concord in 2002 and in 2006, he received the Distinguished Service Award from Muskingum College. He and Dr. Porter were the driving force behind the local initiative to build the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site.

Gregory Adams
Greg is a native of the area and a graduate of John Glenn High School (valedictorian) and Muskingum College. He is co-owner of Resource Systems in New Concord which has software systems in long-term care facilities nationwide. Greg is a board member of the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra, the New Concord Planning Commission, Boy Scouts and Junior Achievement. Greg has served the Village of New Concord as mayor since 1988.

Jane Laing Castor
Jane holds a BS in education from Muskingum College and taught in elementary schools in Zanesville and New Concord. She has lived in New Concord since 1949 and been active in community organizations. She is an Elder at College Drive Presbyterian Church where she sings in the choir. Jane and her husband, Don (Annie Glenn's cousin) are the founders of Zanesville Pottery from which they are retired. Jane also volunteers as a guide at the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site.

Matt Elli
Matt is a native of Pittsburgh. He holds degrees from Muskingum College and Ohio University. He has several years of experience in both the business and non-profit sectors. Currently he is the Director of The Longaberger Foundation in Newark, Ohio. Prior to this position, he served as Vice President for Development at Muskingum College. Matt is active on a number of civic boards including the Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra, and the Wilds.

Dr. Barbara A. Hansen
Barb, an area native, is a graduate of Cambridge High School. She holds a BS and a MA from Ohio State University and a PhD from Ohio University. She is a former Superintendent of East Muskingum Schools and is currently the Longaberger Chair in the Department of Education at Muskingum College. Barb is a much sought-after lecturer and adjunct professor at Ashland University, Ohio University-Zanesville, and Muskingum College. She is the recipient of the golden Achievement Award from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) for producing and co-directing a district videotape on long-range planning, the NSPRA Crystal Award in 1996 and the YWCA Women of Achievement Award in 2000. Barb is coordinator for Salt Fork Regional Professional Development Center, a board member for the Coalition of Rural Appalachian Schools and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.

James Heagen
Jim is an area native who now serves as superintendent of East Muskingum Local Schools. He is a Tri-Valley graduate with a BS from The Ohio State University and a MA from Ashland University, with additional professional work at Ohio University and the University of Dayton. He has been a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, and director of operations at two school districts in Muskingum County. He became the assistant superintendent of the East Muskingum Local School District in 2002 and served in that capacity until becoming superintendent in 2005. Jim is active in a number of school and civic groups including the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools. He serves as a member of the New Concord Lions club and as an Advisory Board member for the United Way of Muskingum County.

Dr. William Kerrigan
Bil holds a BA from Austin College, a MA from Texas Christian University and a PhD from the University of Michigan. He is an Associate Professor of History at Muskingum College. Bil is on the board of the New Concord Area Arts & Recreation District, Cambridge YMCA, and Evergreen Village. In 2007, he was named New Concord's Dedicated Public Servant.

Mike Kruzan
Mike graduated from New Concord High School. He is retired from Muskingum College where he worked in the maintenance department. Mike is very active in the community and serves on New Concord Village Council. He was also formerly fire chief for the village. In 1992, Mike was named New Concord's Dedicated Public Servant.

William P. McCoach
Bill holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and a MBA in Finance from The University of Chicago. He is Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the Fabri-Form Company in New Concord. He also serves as corporate Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Directors member and Trustee of the firm's retirement plans. His community involvement includes Trustee and Treasurer of the East Muskingum Student Endowment Fund, Past President of the Rotary Club of Cambridge, Chairman of the New Concord Planning Commission, Director of the New Concord Board of Trade and past Director and Trustee of the Cambridge Area YMCA Board and Endowment Fund.

George St. Clair
George is a native of the area and a graduate of New Concord High School. He attended Meredith Business College and Ohio University. He was Assistant Controller at Muskingum College for 15 years and retired from Ohio University where he worked as an accountant for 20 years. George is very active in the community where he is a member and past president of the New Concord Lions Club and Garden Club. He serves on the Board of Directors for Evergreen Village. In addition, he is a member of New Concord's Design Review Committee and New Concord High School Alumni Committee. He is also chairman of the Harper Cabin Museum Committee and often gives tours of the cabin to school groups. In 2000, the Village of New Concord named him Dedicated Public Servant and in 2001, he received a Certificate of Merit from New Concord Area Board of Trade. George works part-time in the gift shop at the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site.

James Stevens, Jr.
Jim holds a bachelor's degree in forestry from Virginia Polytechnic and State University and a master's degree in engineering administration from The George Washington University. He currently serves as Vice-President of Administration at Muskingum College. He was formerly with The Ohio State University as Associate Vice President for the Department of Physical Facilities. Prior to Ohio State, Jim was Deputy Director and then Director of the Physical Plant at West Point.

Ronald J. Vessels
Ron is a native of New Concord and graduate of New Concord High School. He holds a BA in history from Muskingum College. He taught social studies at East Muskingum Schools for 30 years and is well known for the "Know Your Town" tours he conducts with fourth graders each year. Since 1954, he has volunteered for the school district as statistician and timer for football and basketball games and since 1963 he's done the same for Muskingum College. Ron is a member of the board of directors at Evergreen Village. He volunteers at Genesis Healthcare Systems, New Concord Elementary School and at the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site. In 2005, he was named New Concord's Public Service Award.

Clyta Young
Clyta, a native of Noble County, earned a BA in Education from Muskingum College and a MA in Educational Administration from Ohio University. She taught home economics and English at John Glenn High School for several years and then served the school as Assistant Principal for 19 years. She recently served as School-to-Work Coordinator and Junior Achievement Coordinator. Clyta is responsible for East Muskingum School District's Annual Report/Calendar. She serves on New Concord's Board of Trade and ReNew. She has been a choir director for youth groups at the New Concord United Methodist Church for 40 years. Clyta also volunteers as a guide at the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site.

Staff

Debbie Allender, Site Director
Debbie is a native of the New Concord area. A graduate of John Glenn High School and Muskingum Area Technical College, she joined the John & Annie Glenn Museum Foundation in 2001 as Administrative Assistant and was named Site Manager when Historic Site opened in 2002. She has been the Site Director since September, 2005. Debbie is active in the community and works closely with officials from neighboring cities to promote heritage tourism in the area. She serves on New Concord's ReNew board and is Vice-President of the Friends of the National Road/Zane Grey Museum.

Joanna Duncan, Education Director
Joanna is a native of Pittsburgh. She received a BS in Education and Psychology from Muskingum College and a MA in Early and Middle Childhood Education from The Ohio State University. She taught for 31 years in the Zanesville City Schools where she implemented an international study program which allowed students to travel and study throughout the world. Joanna became the Education Director in 2003. She has continued to create programs which draw students to the historic site such as the highly successful Muskingum County Passport. She is active in the community and surrounding area.

Laura Holmes, Administrative Assistant/Actress
Laura graduated from Midpark High School and Cuyahoga Community College in the Cleveland area. She moved to New Concord in 1989. She joined the John & Annie Glenn Historic Site when it opened in 2002 as a volunteer guide and became Administrative Assistant in 2005. In addition to her office duties, Laura is also one of the living history actresses. She plays "Clara", John Glenn's mother.