For the past three years, volunteer Nancy Fawley has played a vital role at Heritage Conservancy by preserving and digitizing Historic Resource Surveys — documents mostly from the 1980s and 1990s that include photos and descriptions of historic properties in Bucks County.
Preserving Bucks County’s Historic Properties
These records provide insights into the architectural and historic significance of properties and are being preserved in an internal database used by Heritage Conservancy staff to assist local municipalities and property owners with research and preservation efforts.
“Being from Bucks County, I’m scanning surveys from places I recognize,” Nancy says. “It’s fascinating to learn about the history of those places.” Among the documents she’s come across are surveys of homes once owned by James Michener, Dorothy Parker, and Lassie author Eric Knight.
Making an Impact at the Local Level
Nancy’s connection to the region runs deep. “I grew up in Bucks County and was very aware that much of the farmland in Central Bucks was being developed into housing developments,” she shares. “My mother used to go to local meetings with our neighbor to voice concern about the diminishing open spaces around us.”
When she began considering where to volunteer, Nancy says she wanted to make an impact locally and support a cause that aligned with her personal values. “I was familiar with the Heritage Conservancy’s work with land conservation and historic preservation and knew it would be a good fit.”
Becoming a Volunteer
Nancy’s volunteer journey started with a donation to Heritage Conservancy, and after a thank-you call from a staff member turned into a meaningful conversation, she decided to volunteer her time as well. With her professional experience as an academic librarian and her lifelong ties to Bucks County, she found the perfect match in helping preserve local history with this digitizing project.
Outside of her volunteer work, Nancy is an adventurer at heart. A lifelong runner, she achieved her goal of running a marathon on every continent. When asked about her favorite race, she laughs: “Well, they’re all pretty miserable, but Antarctica was probably the most stunning.” She also enjoys ceramics, sewing (her first career was with Vogue Patterns), and traveling the world. Her next goal? A half-marathon in every state!
We’re incredibly grateful to Nancy for her thoughtful volunteer contributions and for her dedication to preserving historic Bucks County.
If you’re interested in obtaining historical documentation on a Bucks or Montgomery County property, please contact Heritage Conservancy’s Senior Preservation Specialist, Mary Lou McFarland: mlmcfarland@heritageconservancy.org or 215-345-7020 ext. 109.
And if you would like to volunteer for Heritage Conservancy, there are many opportunities, from gardening and outdoor work to more specialized roles like Nancy’s. Learn more about volunteering here, and reach out to Liz Barmach for more information: ebarmach@heritageconservancy.org.