Director of Historic New Harmony awarded Sagamore of the Wabash

Indiana Senator Jim Tomes and State Representative Wendy McNamara presented Connie Weinzapfel, director of the University of Southern Indiana's Historic New Harmony, with the Sagamore of the Wabash award at Historic New Harmony's Advisory Board meeting in November. The award, given by Governor Mike Pence, is one of the highest honors bestowed by the state of Indiana.

 "I am very surprised and honored by the Sagamore Award," said Weinzapfel "I have known other great people who have contributed so much to the State of Indiana, so I am thrilled to be in their company."

Over the last 70 years, governors in the state of Indiana have given Sagamores of the Wabash as a personal tribute to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. Recipients include  astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians and ordinary citizens who have contributed to Indiana heritage. Weinzapfel joins John Gregg, Ryan White, David Letterman, Jeff Gordon, Raju Chinthala, Donald Davidson, and many others as recipients of the award.

"New Harmony is the real star here though, as it shines brighter than just about any other place in Indiana," said Weinzapfel.

In 1985, Weinzapfel, a 1978 graduate of USI, joined Historic New Harmony as director of the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art before being appointed as director of Historic New Harmony in 1996. Over her 31 years of service, Weinzapfel, who will retire in December, has made a significant impact on art and historic preservation throughout the town of New Harmony.

In addition to her duties with Historic New Harmony, Weinzapfel has maintained many professional affiliations, including Indiana Arts Commission, National Historic Landmarks Stewards Association, International Council on Monuments and Sites, American Association for State & Local History, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Association of College & University Museums & Galleries, College Art Association, Community Foundation Alliance of Southwestern Indiana, Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana Board of Directors, USI Society for Arts & Humanities, Harmonie Associates, Rapp Granary/Owen Foundation and the AIDS Resource Group of Evansville.

A native of St. Phillips, Indiana, she earned a bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of Southern Indiana and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

For more information about Historic New Harmony, visit USI.edu/HNH