Vicki Knauff, longtime educator and executive director of the historical society, to be inducted into the HCHS Hall of Fame

By Steve Roush

NOTE: This is Part 5 of a series that highlights the events surrounding the Highland County Historical Society’s induction of four new members into its Hall of Fame on August 18. This week, we feature Vicki Ryan Knauff.

Dear All, Vicki Knauff has served as Executive Director of the Highland County Historical Society since 2014. She previously served on the HCHS board and was a long-time teacher.

Knauff, born and raised in Highland County, retired in 2013 after 32 years as a history and government teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree from Xavier University.

Knauff is a member of the Highland County Women’s Hall of Fame and a long-time member of the Highland County Historical Society. She has held leadership positions on numerous other committees and organizations, including the Ohio Council for the Social Studies, the Great Lakes Regional Social Studies Conference, and the Ohio Bicentennial Commission.

Denny Kirk, a current member of the Highland County Historical Society, a former board member and a former board chair, said Knauff’s contributions not only to HCHS, but to education and the community, were invaluable.

“I first joined the Society’s Board of Trustees in 2015 and served as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2022,” said Kirk. “During my tenure on the Board, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand Vicki’s hard work and dedication to preserving and educating Highland County history. Vicki’s background and experience as a lifelong history teacher, as well as her previous educational and organizational accomplishments, made Vicki an excellent fit for the role of Director.

“As Director, Vicki has led the Society through a reorganisation, through the extensive refurbishment of the rear wall of Highland House, the recent refurbishment and move to Hodson House (offices and library), the acquisition and management of numerous exhibits, contributions to the Marching Mothers exhibition, the organisation and management of numerous events, dealing with many enquiries from members and the public, and many other duties and achievements. Vicki has devoted countless hours to the running of the Society.

“Vicki’s hard work and dedication were constant throughout her time as director. It takes people like Vicki for an organization like the Highland County Historical Society to thrive and survive in today’s world. Vicki’s contributions to preserving Highland County’s history as a member of the Society and as a director are to be recognized.”

Below is a partial list of Knauff’s accomplishments: Community Chair, Brush Creek All-American Festival; Ohio Valley Regional Development Council Representative; HC Children Service Board; HC Chamber of Commerce; Republican Party Executive and Central Committee Member; 4-H Advisor for 10 years; First Families of HC; Ohio Bicentennial Commission; Daughters of the American Revolution; Veteran Services Banner Committee Member.

She has also been honored by two Ohio Senate resolutions, one Ohio House of Representatives resolution, a place in the HC Women’s Hall of Fame, the Ohio Council for the Social Studies Teacher of the Year, the Ohio Council for the Social Studies Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Spirit of ’87 Award.

In addition to Vicki Knauff, the 2024 inductees into the Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame are Dr. Larry Dukes, Steve Faris and the late Ernie Blankenship.

The honorees will be honored at an inaugural ceremony on Sunday, August 18, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception at the Highland House, just across the street from the church. The public is welcome to attend.

For more information about the society or the upcoming Hall of Fame ceremony, call (937) 393-3392 or email the society at [email protected].

Steve Roush is president of the Highland County Historical Society and has served as chairman and vice chairman of the HCHS board for two terms, a board member of the Highland District Hospital Foundation, vice president of an international media company, and a columnist and contributor to The Highland County Press. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].

Vicki Knauff, right, is shown at a 2019 event when the Highland County Historical Society honored Bob and Dorothy Hodson by showing them Bob’s military banner, which hangs on a utility pole in front of the Highland House at the corner of East Main Street and South East Street. The banner was donated by HCHS.