LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Liselle LaFrance for 20 years of distin-
guished service to Historic Cherry Hill

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Liselle LaFrance for 20 years of distinguished service to Historic Cher-
ry Hill on Saturday, August 13, 2011, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, This special event is to recognize Liselle LaFrance's 20th
Anniversary as Director of Historic Cherry Hill as well as celebrate her
50th birthday; and
WHEREAS, Since August of 1991, Liselle LaFrance has been Director of
Historic Cherry Hill; the museum's tour was featured in the JOURNAL OF
AMERICAN HISTORY, and its collections center was recognized by Heritage
Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic &
Artistic Works with the 2009 Award for Outstanding Commitment to the
Preservation and Care of Collections; and
WHEREAS, The museum is in the midst of a significant capital campaign,
and extensive restoration work on the 1787 structure has begun; Liselle
LaFrance serves as a visiting committee member for the Accreditation
Program, as a reviewer for the Museum Assessment Program and has served
on state, federal and foundation grant panels; and
WHEREAS, Liselle LaFrance launched an interpretive self study spon-
sored by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) that culminated
in Cherry Hill's new core tour in 2001; according to the JOURNAL OF
AMERICAN HISTORY, the groundbreaking tour established a new model that
carries public history to a new conceptual level of development; and
WHEREAS, Liselle LaFrance also initiated a large capital campaign to
build the Frisbee Center for Collections and Research, which opened in
2003; the Frisbee Center has made the collections accessible as never
before and has also made possible the restoration of the historic house;
and
WHEREAS, Liselle LaFrance is currently leading the "Telling a Bigger
Story" campaign, which will support the restoration of the historic
house, endow the curatorial department, and transform Historic Cherry
Hill from a local historic house museum into a center for the study of
America's social, political, and economic history; she also has an
outstanding grant-writing track record, consistently securing compet-
itive funds from NEH, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, New
York State Council on the Arts, and the Bay and Paul Foundations; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Liselle LaFrance's distinguished
record merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Liselle LaFrance for 20 years of distinguished service to Historic
Cherry Hill; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Liselle LaFrance.