Museum on Main unveils 2024 History Maker Award winners

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A photo of the late Charles Huff along with his wife Kay. Both were recently announced as 2024 History Maker Award winners. (Photo courtesy of the Museum on Main)

The Museum on Main recently announced its 2024 History Maker Award winners, four residents who will be honored for making a significant impact in Pleasanton’s history through their work and contributions.

A photo of Neil and Beverly Sweeney, who were recently announced winners of the 2024 History Maker Award. (Photo courtesy of the Museum on Main)

This year’s award recipients will be educators Neil and Beverly Sweeney, and community contributor Kay Huff and her late husband Charles, who was dubbed the city’s unofficial historian.

“When we selected this year’s History Maker winners, we focused on the idea of connection and selected people who have made a positive impact on the lives of countless members of our community through human connection,” said Sarah Schaefer, executive director for the museum.

“They are engaged community members who are service oriented and dedicated to making connections for and with members of our community. It is those connections that have made an impact and shaped the history of so many Pleasantonians,” added Schaefer, who unveiled the recipients earlier this month.

The museum first introduced the History Maker Award during last year’s annual Wines & Valentines fundraiser. According to Schaefer, the award is a way for the museum to honor community members who heavily contributed to Pleasanton’s people and history.

Neil Sweeney and his wife Beverly have been a part of the city’s fabric for nearly 75 years, according to Schaefer.

A former Amador Valley High School teacher, coach and administrator, Neil Sweeney also contributed to the construction of Foothill High School before becoming Foothill’s first-ever principal. Beverly Sweeney worked in the Pleasanton Unified School District as a long-term substitute and also taught families outside of the district’s core service area.

Apart from raising eight of their own children, the Sweeneys were also heavily involved in the Catholic community, the 4-H club and helped with the development of Pleasanton’s youth sports programs.

As for the Huffs, Charles was largely known as Pleasanton’s unofficial historian as he revived the city’s past back to life through his walking tours, research and collection of stories, Schaefer said. A professional architect who supported the restoration and preservation of historic buildings like the museum, he also served on the museum’s board of directors for over 30 years and was a member of the city’s Chamber of Commerce.

Charles Huff, who died last August, was also on the Rotary Club of Pleasanton North and was a member of the Pleasanton Jaycees, which was a fundraising club. Although he is gone, Schaefer said his impact on the community continues through the establishment of the Charles Huff Memorial Fund.

Kay Huff has also been a trailblazer in her own right when it came to community service, Schaefer said.

She also served on the chamber board and volunteered for a wide array of charitable efforts for school and nonprofits in the community. She also earned the Pleasanton Downtown Association’s Arch Angel Award for the support she has provided for the city’s downtown including her involvement in the First Wednesday Street Parties and Hometown Holiday Parade.

In 1992, she also created the Kay’s Ladies’ Day at the Races fundraiser at the Alameda County Fair, which hundreds of women have attended for more than 30 years.

“Our programs and exhibits touch the lives of over 25,000 people annually,” Schaefer said. “Our exhibits and programs inspire visitors and participants, both young and old, to love learning and value creativity, critical thinking, and discovery. We hope the community will join us as we honor the Sweeneys and the Huffs and raise money for the important work we do at the museum.”

The winners will be honored at the museum’s 17th annual Wines & Valentines Dinner on Feb. 9 at the Palm Event Center. Guests will be provided with a four-course dinner during the evening program, which will include the award ceremony, a silent auction, a wine-pull raffle, a live auction and a Fund-A-Need drive.

“Not only is this event a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and honor this year’s History Makers, but every dollar raised at the dinner goes to supporting the many impactful programs and exhibits the museum brings to the community each year,” Schaefer stated in the press release.