This year's winner of the Dutchess Award to speaks to the alignment she sees in Dutchess County history and county tourism.
This award honors exceptional contributions by a county resident to the Dutchess County community, and beyond, in the areas of preservation, history, and/or education.
2020
Mary Kay Vrba, in 26 years at Dutchess Tourism, ultimately becoming its President & CEO, has integrated our county’s powerful, authentic history as a means to attract interest, tourism, and tourism dollars. “Rising tides lift all boats.” The profile, relevance and value of our local history has benefited from her leadership. In her newfound retirement, Mary Kay she leaves a clear path to be emulated for continued success. We wish her all the best!
We are still working through plans for a full announcement and recognition, with an in-person event anticipated and hope for, pending pandemic conditions, in the spring of 2021.
Prior Awardees
Ralph & Doris Adams ~ J. Winthrop Aldrich ~ Myra Young Armstead ~ Barbara & Robert Bielenberg ~ D. David Conklin ~ Elizabeth A. Daniels ~ Frank Doherty ~ Edward E. Downey ~ Margaretta Downey ~ Jesse Effron ~ Frances Fergusson ~ John J. Gartland, Jr. ~ Joyce C. Ghee ~ Burton Gold ~ John & Gloria Golden ~ Frederica S. Goodman ~ Clyde Griffen ~ James F. Hall ~ Ada Scism Harrison ~ Bernard & Shirley Handel ~ E. Stuart & Linda Hubbard ~ Larry Hughes ~ Bradford H. Kendall ~ Michael Korda ~ Bill & Mary Lunt ~ Melodye K. Moore ~ Robert Murphy ~ Dennis J. Murray ~ Joseph N. Norton ~ Walter Patrice ~ Ruth Stafford Peale ~ Alice Provensen ~ Frances S. Reese ~ Caroline Reichenberg ~ Lorraine M. Roberts ~ Gretta Tritch Roman ~ Albert M. Rosenblatt ~ Fred Schaeffer ~ Dr. Sam Simon ~ Willa Skinner ~ Elizabeth Smith ~ Roger Smith ~ Marie Tarver ~ Gretta Tritch Roman ~ Denis D. VanBuren ~ Barbara Van Itallie ~ Norma W. VanKleeck ~ Kay Tremper Verilli ~ Richard K. Wager ~ Kenneth Walpuck ~ Thomas S. Wermuth
2019
2018
2017
2016
