Rod Durrell attended school in Shelburne from the third grade through high school, graduating from Shelburne High School in 1962, one in a class of sixteen.

During this time he received, in his words, “a fine education and a solid preparation for life,” which he attributes to the excellent and dedicated teachers who taught at the elementary, junior high and high school levels.  

In addition to the academic rigor, there was also a lack of formality in the close community of teachers, coaches, and students, and he credits the life lessons he learned as influences that have extended far beyond graduation.  

In the spirit of their commitment, Rod chose to honor the faculty members of the Shelburne Junior and Senior High School by making the initial contribution to an endowment fund at the Shelburne Historical Society. Rod named specifically John McGee, Mareli McGee, Dorothy Franklin Cole, Bernard Couture, Paul F. Gonzalves, Robert C. Jones, Thomas Lovett, Imelda McDonald, Hazel Vantine Smith, Douglas Tudhope, Howard Vuley, and Peter Yankowski to acknowledge with his donation.

The Shelburne Historical Society invites others to contribute to this endowment fund that will serve as a vehicle for memorial, tribute, estate, or general donations. It will be used as a long-term financial resource for the society’s mission and programs and that the income from the fund will provide ongoing support to enhance the operations and education programs of the society.  

Although the uses of the fund are not restricted, our aim is to support projects and programs that bring people together to connect with Shelburne’s past. Programs, “Shelburne’s Small Businesses - During the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s” and has been completed, with the enjoyment that results when the contributors and the audience has the opportunity to reminisce about shared experiences. 

     Donations to the Shelburne Historical Society Endowment Fund of all amounts are welcome.  Consider a gift of $500 or more to the fund and you will be acknowledged on a special “Plaque of Honor” at the Society’s exhibit space.