The Beginnings
In 1956, 30 women formed an Auxiliary to the Heard Museum with the goals of supporting the mission of the Museum, providing financial assistance, and conducting guided tours of the Museum’s collection. Founding President Helen Shackelford said of the role of Heard Guild volunteers: “Much needed doing, and we did it.”
The Guild grew exponentially in its first years, adding many new members, projects, and responsibilities. Volunteers opened a Gift Shop in 1958 “pledging to sell only the good, the authentic.” Also in that year, the first Indian Fair was held, and in 1968 the Heard Guild Arts & Crafts Exhibit was created as a juried competition. These two events were the basis of the current Indian Fair & Market, the Guild’s main fund-raising event. Men, including Senator Barry Goldwater, joined the Guild in 1972. Over the years, programs including Speakers Bureau, Information Desk, Student Art Sale, Library Book Sale, Scholarships and Grants, Trips, Lecture Series, and more were conceived, planned, and implemented by the vast talents of Guild volunteers.
Presidents
The Guild President, elected by the Guild membership, presides at Guild meetings, represents the Guild at Museum Board of Trustee meetings, and, as an ex officio member of all Guild committees, generally supervises all Guild activities.
2007-2008 Jerry Bryan
2008-2009 Ann Gorton
2009-2011 Edna Weinberg
2011-2012 Lucille Shanahan
2012-2014 Rod Passmore
2014-2016 Susan Kolman
2016-2018 Mary Endorf
2018-2020 Sue Snyder
2020-2022 Jane Przeslica
2022-2024 John Miller
2024-2025 Shelley Mowry
Indian Fair & Market Chairs
The Fair Chair is arguably one of the most challenging and time-consuming jobs that the Guild offers to its volunteers. Responsible for managing every aspect of the annual Indian Fair & Market, the Fair Chair coordinates all Fair activities and supervises dozens of committees and hundreds of volunteers. For a full description of all the Fair Chair’s responsibilities, click here.
2001 Jean Timmer
2002 Phyllis Noone
2003 Phyllis Noone
2004 De Bachmann
2005 De Bachmann
2006 Dave Dolge
2007 Valerie Lucas/David Rothberg
2008 Barbara Johnson
2009 Barbara Johnson
2010 John Miller
2011 John Miller
2012 David Newark
2013 David Newark
2014 Pat Kilburn
2015 Pat Kilburn
2016 Pat Kilburn
2017 Shelley Mowry
2018 Shelley Mowry
2019 Anna Flynn
2020 Anna Flynn
2021 Anna Flynn
2022 Mary Endorf, Jackie Stubbs
2023 Jane Sanford, Frank Vickory
2024 Jane Sanford, Frank Vickory