Appomattox Court House National Historical Park has announced that Warren Taylor has been selected as the Northeast Region’s recipient of The 2015 George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

Taylor is recognized in the category of enduring service, for an individual who has had a sustained, positive impact on the National Park Service.

The award recognizes those who have chosen to make a difference in parks or offices through work that has resulted in exceptional and lasting improvements in helping advance the mission of the park where he/she volunteers.

Taylor was a member of the family of Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, where he deeply touched the lives of all of those around him. Taylor began volunteering at the park in 2008.

According to a press release, he provided exceptional service for eight years, giving more than 3,500 volunteer hours in a variety of ways. He provided interpretive programs to thousands of visitors of all ages through formal and informal interpretive programs.

He built benches, speaker platforms, stairs and other items that improved the visitor experience for all who participated in both daily programs and special events. He created over 100 wooden muskets used by more than 5,000 students who learned the power of place and the historical events.

According to Ernie Price, chief of education and visitor services, “You can’t stand in the village and look in any direction without seeing something that Warren touched and made better for visitors.”