Polly Huff, archivist and curator of ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture (GMA), earned the prestigious National Society Daughters of American Revolution (NSDAR) Excellence in Historic Preservation for her work at the museum and on campus.
According to Jean E. Gay, first-vice regent of the John Benning Chapter of NSDAR, “The award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that promote historic preservation in a myriad of ways. The recognition honors individuals and groups that have saved and/or preserved their local history, including the restoration of buildings, collections, significant objects, monuments, cemeteries, and other important artifacts.”
Huff’s dedication to her work has shown through her work at ABAC for the last twenty-five years, the first ten being at the main campus and the recent fifteen at the GMA.
There are multiple exhibitions that Huff has participated in during her tenure, but one of her most memorable pieces brought out her emotional side.
“I was involved with an exhibit that told the story of a family with over 100 descendants who did not know they were related or that they shared a very special backstory. On the day of the exhibit’s opening, we were able to reunite these family members and tell their story,” Huff said.
Some of Huff’s memorable museum projects that she has worked with include “…working to unearth the special story of an 1800s rare harp mandolin, which belonged to the late ABAC art professor Donna Hatcher,” Huff said. “A favorite restoration project was the windmill, which we received from the ranch of the founder of Post Cereals, C.W. Post. That particular project involved metal rejuvenation, a new build, and a very detailed hand-painted restoration of the missing logo of the mill, then flying it seventeen feet in the air for installation in our exhibit hall.”
Huff has met numerous people in her role, including President Jimmy Carter.
Huff said, “Carter cut the ribbon for another very special exhibit, and I gave him and Mrs. Carter a guided tour and got to experience their famous kindness and generosity of spirit.”
The majority of Huff’s work includes collaboration. Her favorite people to work with are her interns.
“Over the course of my career, I have worked with close to 60 interns ranging from high-school seniors to doctoral students. I love that they get to have a real-life, meaningful project they can fully experience from start to finish, and I have loved remaining involved in their lives—everything from helping them get into grad school, to attending their weddings, baby showers, and graduation celebrations,” Huff said.
“I have been so proud of the many interns whose work with me was their first experience in museum work, and which later led them to pursue careers in the museum/library/National Park fields,” she continued.
Colton Creel was an intern with Huff and reminisced on her leadership skills.
Creel said, “Whenever we needed to complete our project, she provided for us. She deserves this award. What she does within the GMA and for the community is greatly appreciated.”
Huff’s dedication throughout the GMA and the ABAC campus shows how deserving she is of receiving the NSDAR Excellence in Historic Preservation award.
You can contact Huff at her email, phuff@abac.edu, or by work phone at (229)391-5222.