A lifelong member of the Salem community, John R. Hildebrand has been presented with a Community Service Award by the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution, nominated by the local Fort Lewis Chapter. He was one of the early leaders of the Save Old Salem Committee, before the existence of the Salem Museum. He was elected president of the newly founded Salem Historical Society in its formative years as they secured influence in working with the leadership in Salem to secure a permanent museum. Hildebrand is a long-term member of the historic Salem Presbyterian Church and has researched and written a comprehensive history of the building structure which continues as an active church on Main Street in Salem.
Hildebrand received the “Simpson Award” in December 2018, the highest honor the Salem Museum & Historical Society can bestow. It acknowledges a lifetime commitment to local history. He also received the Charles Brown Award which is given to a citizen of the city of Salem who contributed significantly, both professionally and civically to the city’s quality of life.
He is a veteran of WWII and afterward graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in civil engineering. He has served on the city’s board of zoning appeals and is a member of the Salem Rotary Club.
In 2023, in partnership with his brother, Hildebrand donated to the Salem Historical Society and Museum a map collection of their father, James Raymond Hildebrand (1896-1980), to be of use to researchers in the Logan Research Library at the Salem Museum. Covering the southern Shenandoah Valley to eastern Tennessee, these maps include settlement maps as early as the 1700s, historical county maps, and USGS maps, many of them listing original settlers and owners.
“Hildebrand has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the preservation of our historical heritage through his exceptional community service. His dedication to safeguarding the past has not only enriched our understanding of history but has also left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of our community. He serves as an inspiring example of how individual passion and tireless efforts can contribute significantly to the preservation of our shared heritage for generations to come. This Community Service award is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contributions to local historical preservation,” the Fort Lewis Chapter said.
The chapter added, “The recognition of Hildebrand’s accomplishments is made even more special by the acknowledgment of his wife Thelma’s longstanding dedication to the Fort Lewis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. By presenting a 68-year certificate to Mrs. Hildebrand alongside the Community Service Award, the chapter honors the couple’s combined legacy of service and commitment to their community.”
-The Salem Times-Register
Courtesy photos
