YORKTOWN, Va. — A volunteer at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is being recognized for his dedication to history and community service.
Nelson Curtis volunteers at the museum, where he portrays an 18th century farmer on the grounds.
Our cameras were rolling when he was observed him with museum visitor, sharing his knowledge of life back then. "Of course these were the main crops you would have seen on a farm at this time period," Curtis said.
His contributions extend well beyond the farm demonstration.
When a recent America 250 ceremony required extra help, Curtis was not on the schedule — but he showed up anyway. "It's a great way to show our pride in our country," Curtis said.
Lee Ann Shellhorse, who heads up volunteer recruitment, said Curtis is someone the museum can always count on. "We can depend on him. We called him and told him we needed him to carry a flag today, and he showed up without any question," Shellhorse said.
"He comes here week after week, the same time he works his shift. He is consistent. There's never anything that we have asked that Nelson hasn't said, 'I can help out with that,'" Shellhorse said.
Curtis said his love of history traces back to his childhood. "As a child my father would take myself and my two sisters on a Saturday to say we're gonna go see something historical, that got me interested in my degrees in history from college as well," Curtis said.
Curtis graduated from Virginia Military Institute and went on to serve in the Navy.
"I served in the Navy for a few years after I graduated from VMI. So it really started my service career," Curtis said.
For all that he's doing, I surprised Curtis with an Everyday Hero award, along with a $425 gift card from our community partner Southern Bank. That amount is $125 more than the bank's normal amount to commemorate the bank's 125th anniversary.
"Thank you very much," Curtis said when presented with the award. "I wasn't scheduled, no, but I'm glad I'm here."
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