Preservation Through Access and Engagement

Advocated for the designation of the Dr. Oliver Bronson House property as a National Historic Landmark, achieved in 2003, including the house, outbuildings, and approximately fifty-five surrounding acres.

Advanced the exterior conservation and stabilization of the Dr. Oliver Bronson House through a $650,000 project nearing completion in summer 2019.

Holds an archive of over 300 glass plate negatives from a late 19th- and early 20th-century local photography studio, preserves them, digitizes the Rowles Collection, produces an online finding aid, and sells archival-quality 11”x14” prints for public access.

Preserves Hudson's unique architectural heritage through advocacy, restoration, and recognition, including receiving the 2020 New York State Historic Preservation Award for work on the Neumann & Colleagues Building.

Proposes the development of a future green space for community use as part of broader preservation and community enhancement efforts.

Engages the public in preservation efforts through education, events, and leadership in restoring significant historic sites in Hudson, NY.

Planned the restoration of the 1812 basement kitchen area for use as meeting spaces and reconnected utilities to the Dr. Oliver Bronson House for the first time in fifty years.

Secured over $1.2 million in private, foundation, and government funding to support the preservation of the Dr. Oliver Bronson House for public use.

Secured a long-term lease with New York State in 2008 for the Dr. Oliver Bronson House and 1.2 acres of land to support preservation and public use.

Compiles bibliographies and maintains a collection of over 1,500 maps related to the Minisink region for public research use, supporting scholarly and community engagement with local history.

Resumes regular tour hours at Fort Decker on the last Saturday of each month from May to October 2026, providing public access to the historic site.

Maintains historical archives related to the Minisink Valley region that are accessible by appointment at the Port Jervis Library, supporting public research and engagement with local history.

Engages in the preservation and dissemination of local history through archival maintenance, public tours, research resources, and the sale of historical materials, serving the Minisink Valley region.

Operates a gift shop and online sales platform through which it sells historical publications, including "The Story of the River Road," photographic histories, deed compilations, cemetery records, and other regional materials, with orders typically shipped within one week and online payments accepted via PayPal.

Protects Israel’s archaeological heritage by monitoring the legal antiquities market, inspecting shops, recovering stolen artifacts, and prosecuting traffickers. Uses cyber experts to track online trafficking, recovers smuggled items from neighboring countries, and has recovered rare items such as a Neolithic stone mask and a large collection of Fatimid gold coins.

Completes major scholarly publications including a 40-volume series on the Dead Sea Scrolls and ongoing publication of the Archaeological Survey of Israel. Publishes peer-reviewed journals Atiqot and Hadashot Arkheologiyot, contributing to academic understanding of Israel’s archaeological record.

Conducts comprehensive conservation of artifacts including Dead Sea Scroll fragments, using photography, cleaning, adhesive removal, and structural reinforcement. Houses approximately two million artifacts and hundreds of thousands of items spanning from prehistoric to Ottoman periods, with dedicated conservators and public viewing of conservation labs.

Operates the Davidson Center and a public archaeological center in Lod to display significant finds, including the Lod mosaic, First and Second Temple period artifacts, and rare inscriptions. Features immersive elements such as 3D models of ancient Jerusalem and preserved drainage channels with artifacts from the Roman destruction period.