Large Undertakings and Miraculous Accomplishments...

...are frequently the result of shared interests. Following are brief backgrounds on some of the key players within the Trust. We'd love to have you join us!

John Spencer, a founding member and current President of the Trust, has family roots in Scotland that trace to 1714, inspiring an abiding interest in the town and its people. John's Natural Resource Management career has provided him with the ability to plan and manage multi-faceted projects and has proved indispensable in dealing with the myriad aspects, both physical and administrative, of planning a museum of the scope we envision.

Kevin Ring, Sr., Vice President of the Trust and Chairman of the Museum Planning and Restoration Committee, got his first taste of the Trust and its mission when he enrolled in the Architectural Field School on Building Archaeology co-sponsored by the Trust at the Huntington Homestead to fulfill his interest in early American building construction. Ever since he's been hooked! From his nearby home in Scotland, Kevin is always available to lend a hand to all Huntington Homestead functions. He has been a key docent during long hours spent at Open Houses, enthusiastically educating the public on all key aspects of the house's history and restoration.

Channing M. Huntington II

Channing Huntington II, a founding member, first President and current Secretary, has had a life-long interest in Samuel Huntington. Channing, born and raised in Norwich, CT, a life member and long time officer of the Huntington Family Association, has made a second career out of the mission of the Trust. To Channing, the chance to aid in the preservation of Samuel's birthplace, the opportunity to gain Samuel the recognition he deserves as a founding father, and work to establish the Huntington Homestead Museum, is a dream come true.

Georgia L. Stauffer, Treasurer of GSHT, Inc., has been an integral part in the Trust ever since its inception in 1995. She is a resident of Scotland and co-owner of Nathan Fuller House B&B. She is also a member of the Scotland Historical Society and of the Highland Festival Association. When not spending an incredible amount of time keeping the Trust organized and focused, with an occasional miracle thrown in, her interests include music, books, sewing and needlework.

Tom Pelc

Tom Pelc is a recent Vice President and long-time member of the Trust. He grew up in Scotland and believes that Samuel Huntington has never received his proper place in history. He's hoping that with scholarly review and more research we may be able to bring more honor to this dedicated founding father. A man of varied interests, Tom is a Social Worker for the State of Connecticut and hosts a weekly radio show playing the great American standards on WHUS, Storrs.

Gail White, a long-time member and past President of the Trust, has spent many years as volunteer director of the c. 1720 Daniel Benton Homestead in Tolland, Connecticut. Living in Woodstock, she works as the Education Coordinator for the Bowen House and Roseland Cottage. She spends her spare time researching 17th and 18th Century New England culture. Gail, an avid historical "re-enactor," organized the historical re-enactment held at the Huntington Homestead in October of 2000.

Jo Anne Loughery has served both as Recording Secretary and as a Director of the Trust. She and her husband, Herb, also an active member, moved to Scotland in 1998. They are both retired Naval officers.

Larry Northrop has served as a member of the Trust's Board of Directors. He is a returned Peace Corps volunteer (92-94 Russian far-east). Larry brings a life long interest in historic architecture and local history to work on the Museum Planning and Restoration Committee. Most of his professional career has been in graphic arts, currently "new media" projects that relate or mix with traditional media.

Brian Sear, a resident of nearby Canterbury, has served two separate stints as Director, once in the "early days" prior to the Homestead's acquisition, and a second time more recently. His combined interest in early American history (his circa 1753 home once housed a cousin of Samuel Huntington) and communication arts sparked his interest in promoting the Trust's cause.

As a research historian in 17th and 18th Century American history, Jeff Usher turned a childhood interest into a vocation. He lives in Woodstock where he is currently at work on a project focusing on King Phillip's War.

Tom Hemphill was hired to redesign the Trust's web site in the Fall of 2000. He continues to maintain the web site as a volunteer member of the Trust. He grew up in neighboring Hampton in a 1741 house, and now lives in historic Wethersfield, where he maintains the Town web site, among other things.

Return to the Membership page

Home | The Museum | The Huntington Trust | About Samuel Huntington | Contact Information | Other Resources | Site Map