Richard Burkert, Outstanding Achievement Award


Richard Burkert, Outstanding Achievement Award
Click here to see a video that was shown at the awards ceremony about Richard Burkert. Richard Burkert, the president of JAHA, came to Johnstown to lead what was then known as the Johnstown Flood Museum Association. Under his guidance, JAHA has attracted investments of more than $20 million, most of it from outside the immediate community, to develop the Johnstown Discovery Network, a system of connected historic districts and attractions. The goal of the Johnstown Discovery Network is to use the area's heritage as a tool for economic development through tourism, while improving the quality of life for residents.
The Johnstown Discovery Network includes: The Johnstown Flood Museum (1989) -- The Johnstown Flood Museum opened in 1989 after a major renovation. The critically-acclaimed museum includes an Academy Award-winning documentary about the flood. Since then, the museum has hosted more than 250,000 visitors. Six National Historic Districts (early 1990s) -- JAHA did the research and applications to get six Johnstown neighborhoods named to the National Register of Historic Districts. They are: Cambria City, Downtown Johnstown, Westmont, Old Conemaugh Borough, Minersville, and Moxham. Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center (first phase, 2001; second phase, 2009) -- The Heritage Discovery Center is located in the former Germania Brewery, a 30,000-square-foot building located in the Cambria City National Historic District. In 2011 it opened with a new permanent exhibit on immigration to this area from 1860-1920, "America: Through Immigrant Eyes," and gallery space. The second phase of the building's development opened in 2009, with the Johnstown Children's Museum, Galliker's Cafe, Iron & Steel Gallery, and Ethnic Social Club.
The Wagner-Ritter House & Garden (2004) -- This house museum illustrates the domestic lives of immigrants working "in the shadow of the mills," following the story of the Wagner and Ritter families in Cambria City. The Johnstown Children's Museum (2009) -- Located on the third floor of the Heritage Discovery Center, the museum allows children to learn through play about the regionÕs geography, history, culture, and ecology. The Stone Bridge Lighting Project (2011) -- The $1.2 million project lights the bridge in colorful, programmable LED lights that change depending on the time of year, holidays, and other special events. A community committee chaired by Burkert and Mike Brosig spearheaded the project, and JAHA administered it. Flood City Music Festival (the successor of festivals presented since 1989) --Under BurkertÕs leadership, JAHA helped coordinate and fund the 1989 flood centennial events in Johnstown. The success of the centennial helped JAHA, in cooperation with local and state government officials, to attract the National Folk Festival from 1990-1992. JAHA began producing the event as the Johnstown FolkFest in 1993 in the historic Cambria City neighborhood. In 2009 the festival became known as the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival, and continues its growth into a regional music event. Peoples Natural Gas Park (2012) --The Peoples Natural Gas Park, formerly known as Festival Park, has been the permanent home of the festival (and its predecessor event, the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest), since 2004. Located across the river from Point Stadium and beside the Cambria Iron National Historic Landmark, the park provides a beautiful view of downtown Johnstown, including the Inclined Plane and the Johnstown Flood Museum. The park, which is now under construction, will include a 600-seat pavilion with stage adjacent to the Oilhouse, landscaping, restrooms, the installation of pathways and new sidewalks, ornamental fencing and gates around the perimeter, and the installation of utilities to support vending.
Burkert's honors include: Recipient, Katherine Coffey Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Museum Profession (2007), Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Member, Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Board Treasurer and Past President, Pennsylvania Federation of Museums