Historic Preservation Commission award winners (l-r) David Mason, “Lifetime Achievement for Historic Preservation” and Judy Mercer, “2011 Historic Preservation Award.” Both volunteers at the Ojai Valley Museum.

On Dec. 13, 2011, the Ojai City Council, upon the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission, awarded their first award for “Lifetime Achievement for Historic Preservation” to David Mason, and the “2011 Historic Preservation Award” to Judy Mercer—both volunteers at the Ojai Valley Museum. Each received a plaque to commemorate the awards and short biographies were read into the record at the Council meeting.

Judy Mercer, formerly of Claremont, CA, where she was a Docent & collections worker at the Alf Museum at The Webb Schools, began volunteering at the Ojai Valley Museum when she and her husband, Ed, moved to Ojai about 17 years ago to help with the family's orange groves. She has volunteered in OVM permanent Collections room since then, cataloging and processing artifacts and archival material donated to the museum. When the Museum installed a new moveable shelving system, made possible by the Ojai Civic Association, Judy worked full time leading the team that cleaned up the Collections room, re-boxed and re-organized the collection, handling problems with the expertise that makes her an invaluable volunteer. Judy has recently stepped into the role of lead Collections volunteer, training and supervising new volunteers and student interns in the computer input, cataloging, and storage processes. She was selected as the Museum Volunteer of the Year in 2005.

David Mason, Ojai's own native son, has contributed much in the way of historical awareness during his lifetime, writing many articles for publication and giving numerous talks about historical figures and events. His grasp of local history and his retention of current events and the folks who shape them are legendary. The declaration presented to Mason at the Council meeting said writers and researchers seek out his assistance in their studies of the history of the valley. Further "David meets the criteria for the upgraded status to the Lifetime Achievement Award because he has made outstanding long -term contributions toward furthering the protection of the cultural history of the Ojai Valley."

Museum Director, Michele E. Pracy, says she is delighted to have David as volunteer staff, as he does four types of jobs at the Museum 7 days a week. Since his retirement as owner of The Village Florist, he works as a docent, sells for the Museum store, does research for exhibits, and mans the Visitor Information office on weekends. He has served on the museum’s Board of Trustees for 33 years, and is their liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission. In 1985, Mason was the original Chairman of the Historical Preservation Commission, then known as the Ojai Cultural Heritage Board.