Jim Davis: A Legacy of Service Celebrated at the Abingdon Museum Grand Opening
By: Forgottonia Times™ Report
The grand opening of the new Abingdon Historical Society Museum took place on September 14th, marking the launch of an important local institution and the celebration of one of Abingdon's most dedicated citizens, Jim Davis.
The event commenced at 4:30p.m. alongside the Road Knights Car Show with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the museum's side entrance. Onlookers gathered as past president Jim Davis and now-president Rhonda Dalton cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening the museum to locals and visitors alike. Davis, who had served as the president of the Historical Society for 25 years, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Presidential Service Award through AmeriCorps. Vicky Jones, the local AmeriCorps sponsor who serves on the Abingdon Historical Committee, presented him with a presidential certificate and an Olympic-sized gold medal, symbolizing his lifetime of service to the Abingdon community. To earn this award, Davis contributed over 4,000 hours of volunteer work, impacting nearly every facet of life in the town, from his involvement with the Kiwanis to his role as the city treasurer.
When speaking with Davis, his love for his wife, Roberta, and his admiration for her years of service as an unwavering partner in every endeavor is very evident. A dedicated teacher in Avon and an active Kiwanian herself, Roberta passed away from cancer several years ago. Their shared passion for service lives on through their children, despite the recent loss of their only daughter, and through all the impact that they have made on members of the community.
The journey to open the new museum was years in the making. What began as a modest meeting in 1997 evolved into a fully-fledged historical society with a home of its own, thanks to Cornelios Sandoval's donation of his former barbershop building. Over time, the organization grew, acquiring two additional properties to store the overwhelming number of donations. The most recent project of the new museum building was completed through community fundraising efforts, overcoming setbacks due to the pandemic. Boy Scouts and other local groups volunteered to move artifacts from the old location to the new one, with much time dedicated to arranging and labeling all the artifacts in the new location.
Visitors can now explore the museum's vast collection, which includes exhibits on Abingdon's rich history, from its pottery industry to school memorabilia and its honorable military heroes. As Davis steps down from his leadership role, he leaves behind an enduring legacy of service, ensuring that Abingdon's history will be preserved for generations to come.