Dan Maxson of Concord Township winner of Medical Mutual of Ohio Senior Volunteer Award

Oct. 18—Dan Maxson describes himself as "a joiner."

He's demonstrated that trait by becoming a volunteer who shares his love for history at the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse and the Old Stone Schoolhouse, a museum in Concord Township.

On Oct. 20, the Concord Township resident will be recognized at a regional event for his dedication and accomplishments as a nonpaid helper for community organizations.

Maxson is one of six Northeast Ohioans who have been named winners of the Medical Mutual of Ohio Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award.

Medical Mutual presents the annual awards to nominees age 60 or older who are doing superior volunteer work in their communities.

"The award was totally unexpected, and it was a pleasant surprise," Maxson, who is 65.

Medical Mutual is honoring groups of 2022 Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award winners in three separate regions: Greater Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

The company invited the general public to submit award nominations and then a committee of Medical Mutual employees reviewed all applications and selected the winners.

Maxson stood out in the field of award prospects "for his dedication to preserving vignettes of history that might otherwise disappear without someone of his perseverance, creativity and what is clearly a love for his community," said Ariel Pruitt, Medical Mutual senior corporate responsibility specialist.

As an example, Pruitt said Maxson, in his role as docent and curator of Old Stone Schoolhouse museum, has taken action to increase attendance at and interest in the historical site over the past five years.

It was back in 2016 when Maxson saw an announcement in The Grapevine newsletter published by Concord Township, noting that government leaders in the community were looking for someone to volunteer at the schoolhouse.

"So I talked to Debra Esker (the township's recreation director at the time), and agreed to take a look at the schoolhouse, and offer some input and open it up for them," Maxson said.

Concord Township acquired Old Stone Schoolhouse, located at 7125 Ravenna Road, in 2001, according to information on the township's website. Township government leaders wanted to make the building "a repository for all things Concord," and offer tours and programming at the one-room schoolhouse, Maxson said.

When Maxson inquired about volunteering there, the site had been shuttered for a brief amount of time after former volunteer leaders had stepped aside because of advanced age and health reasons.

"So my initial goal in 2016 when I answered the call was just to open it up, get people seeing it, realizing that there was a place to collect this kind of history," he said.

During that first year, Maxson focused on improving the interior of the building.

"So it would be a little more display-worthy," he said.

In 2017, township trustees approved the purchase of UV-blocking glass to protect artifacts in the Old Stone Schoolhouse museum, and provided Maxson with a room and annex at Concord Community Center to start cataloging and collecting artifacts.

During that same year, Maxson volunteered to team up with Esker to write a book on Concord Township history that could help usher in the community's bicentennial celebration in 2022.

The book — titled "Images of America: Concord Township" — was published in August of 2021.

Maxson said he especially enjoyed the research involved in gathering material for the book.

"I think the nicest thing is all the hidden gems that you find — all of the little backstories," he said. " You wind up having more than you can ever use for the book."

Maxson, prior to his retirement in 2009, worked for nearly 31 years as a teacher in the Euclid School District.

"Obviously, when you are a school teacher, you volunteer for a lot of the school projects and different things," he said.

Maxson became inspired to embark on another volunteer opportunity after visiting the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse around 1994.

"So I stopped in for the first time, and there was a nice man here, John Fedak," he said. "He gave me a little tour, he was a very proud volunteer. And I thought, 'This would be a nice place to volunteer.' "

In 1996, Maxson officially signed up to volunteer at the marine museum and lighthouse, which is located at 129 Second St. in Fairport Harbor Village.

"And I started to climb the volunteer ladder," Maxson said.

Today, Maxson serves as Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse's curator, docent — another name for an organized tour leader — and trustee board member. At other points in his 26-year stretch with the organization, he has held the positions of trustee board president and vice president.

Maxson said he's proud of the programs he helps to conduct at the marine museum and lighthouse.

"We're averaging probably 50 private tours by appointment, per season," he said. "And I try to do six to 10 public events each year for the lighthouse."

In 2022, the Friday Night Lights program turned out be very successful.

"That's where I opened the lighthouse from 8 to 10 p.m., usually on full-moon nights," Maxson said "So people got to experience the lighthouse at night, and climb the tower, see the sun set and moon rise."

He said he would like to make volunteering a lifelong pursuit.

"My wife says I'm not a good person for staying at home," Maxson said. "I need to be active. So I do envision for as long as my health holds out, volunteering regularly for as long as I can."