The Eagle Scout Award is the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn. It recognizes qualities such as citizenship, integrity, leadership and community involvement. In 2012 the Eagle Scout program turns 100. Since first awarded in 1912, over two million young men have received this honor, yet only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts earn the Eagle Scout rank. The rigorous journey requires earning at least 21 merit badges in areas such as first aid, citizenship, physical fitness, environmental science and family life. It also entails creating and executing a significant leadership community service project (average number of hours to complete this project is about 185), serving in a Scouting leadership role, demonstrating adherence to Scouting guidelines and values, and finally gaining the approval of a review board.
Boy Scout and Glastonbury High School Freshman, Peter Koszuta Jr., solely designed the current centennial Eagle Scout exhibit as part of his leadership community service project; one of the requirements to be completed in order to obtain the highly esteemed Eagle Scout honor. The exhibit was unveiled the last week of August and contains a large collection of Scout memorabilia – with nostalgic items dating back to back to when the U.S. Boy Scouts began in 1910. (The Boy Scout Organization was founded in London in 1907; Glastonbury, CT troop began in 1915) The exhibit features two display cases filled with numerous Boy Scout handbooks, some dating back to 1911, Merit badges, rank badges, awards, and neckerchiefs from around the world. There are even patches and memorabilia from the former Lake of Isles Scout camp-now turned golf course at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. Eagle Scouts can be found in all walks of life: television show hosts, famous corporation founders, astronauts, judges, politicians, U.S. Presidents, and maybe even your neighbor next door. You’ll find photos of famous Eagle Scouts, local Glastonbury Eagle Scouts, and you can even test your knowledge and play “Can you name these Eagle Scouts?”
The Museum on the Green’s 100th Anniversary of Eagle Scouting will be on display until October 31st 2012. Anyone who is an Eagle Scout or was a boy scout will want to see this exhibit before it’s gone. Troops can call and schedule tours.
If you’d like more information about these tours, or to schedule an interview, please call the Historical Society of Glastonbury at 860-633-6890 or email HSGlastonbury@snet.net
The Museum on the Hubbard Green is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00a.m – 4:00p.m, and the third Sunday of every month. Admission is FREE.
The Welles-Shipman-Ward House, also run by HSG, is open for special events through out the year and Tuesdays during the summer.
The Historical Society of Glastonbury strives to educate through the preservation and promotion of Glastonbury’s extraordinary historical legacy. They have been instrumental in preserving and maintaining historic properties and a driving force in establishing five National Registered Historic Districts (NRHD), as well as a Local Historic District. Support comes from primarily over 490 member households, local businesses, foundations, and the State and Town. Visit the Historical Society of Glastonbury at www.hsgct.org and on Facebook.
