Preservationists recognize JAHA's Burkert, back Johnstown train station project

Dave Sutor, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

Oct. 28—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The Young Preservationists Association recently awarded former Johnstown Area Heritage Association President and CEO Richard Burkert its highest individual honor and also recognized the historic significance of one of his favorite projects.

The Pittsburgh-based organization ranked the effort being undertaken to revitalize the JAHA-owned Johnstown train station No. 1 on its Top Ten Preservation Opportunities List for 2023.

Additionally, Burkert, who stepped down from his position a few weeks ago, was named YPA's Preservationist of the Year.

"Everyone is making a big fuss over me right now because I retired after 44 years," Burkert said with a laugh. "I think what it shows is that in Johnstown you can get recognition. It's a quality place to live, and work and visit, too. It's an interesting place."

Burkert was involved in countless projects during his time leading JAHA, including overseeing the Johnstown Flood Museum, helping to create the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival and being involved in opening the Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center.

"He's done so many things behind the scenes, has brought such good to Johnstown and to western Pennsylvania in so many different ways," YPA Executive Director Matthew Craig said. "He's an inspiration and just a light that shines, so we wanted to just take a moment to tip our cap to him and to all the work that he's done."

An effort, championed by Burkert, is underway to remodel and modernize the train station, which opened in 1916. The goal is to make it a transportation hub with increased passenger rail service and a welcoming center.

"That kind of project is always challenging," Burkert said. "I'm glad they recognized it. For Johnstown, that's a big deal."

The train station initiative topped YPA's list of sites that also consisted of the G.C. Murphy Building (Latrobe), St. Raphael School (Pittsburgh), John Roebling's workshop (Saxonburg), the Western Penitentiary's warden's residence (Pittsburgh), McKeesport Roundhouse, Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum, Union Station (Brownsville), historic churches and urban baseball fields.

"We chose the Johnstown Train Station really as a statement of our support for all the work that JAHA is doing in Johnstown," Craig said.

"I know that this is a project that has been some years in the works. I know that they've recently gotten some support for it. We really want to kind of throw our interest and support behind it because it's such a big lift, and I think it's going to make such a difference for Johnstown and for the region."