Manchester Area Historical Society honors Ray Berg
Ray and Karen Berg holding the plaque and door plate commemorated by naming the Kingsley-Jenter board room after him. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
submitted by Barry Allen, president, Manchester Area Historical Society
Manchester Area Historical Society’s (MAHS) retiring president, Ray Berg, was honored at the MAHS membership meeting on January 8. His service and commitment to the community was commemorated by naming the Kingsley-Jenter board room after him!
Ray’s passion for history began as a young man when he researched his Berg family genealogy all the way back to the 1200s in Pösing, Germany, which culminated in writing a book about it. In his professional life, he worked as an electrical engineer for Detroit Edison, became an independent contractor working on nuclear power plant license extensions, and also taught mechanical engineering at Kettering University.
When Ray retired and moved to Manchester, he immediately became involved in many aspects of the community. He was involved in developing health and wellness interventions for Manchester utilizing funding from 5 Healthy Towns and was a member of the Community Advisory Council for over 10 years. Ray was successful in obtaining $10,000 in grants for the DDA each year for the past 10 years, which resulted in the erection of 14 Manchester historical signs (which he wrote the content of as well) and the brochure kiosks in the downtown area. He was instrumental in bringing internet via a high-speed transmitter to Manchester in 2006. Are you familiar with the shared use trail that runs through Manchester? Ray initiated that, as well as assisted in its planning and early engineering, and spearheaded grants for its development. He recognized the need for a Manchester Chicken Broil website and created it; served on the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Pastoral and Finance Councils; served as a member of Chamber of Commerce and Optimist Club; and in his free time, wrote several more books — Manchester History Walking Tour; Village of Manchester Sesquicentennial Anniversary; and Freedom Township, The Early Years.
After coming to Manchester, Ray became a member of MAHS and joined the board. For the past 10 years, he has served as MAHS president. In his tenure with the organization, Ray accomplished many things.
When CVS expressed interest in purchasing the Kingsley-Jenter (KJ) House and other nearby homes, Ray worked tirelessly on behalf of MAHS to purchase the KJ House. It was his vision to preserve the historical building and turn it into what you see today … a headquarters, dedicated museum, archival storage location, and a community meeting place.
One of Ray’s many strengths is his ability to effectively write grant requests. In addition to securing a grant to assist with the purchasing of the KJ House, he obtained a grant to assist with the purchase and installation of the Verdin clock you see out front of the KJ House.
He spearheaded several campaigns to help pay off the mortgage and due to his efforts, MAHS has now paid off the mortgage for the historic Kingsley-Jenter House.
Ray is passionate about involving and educating the youth about history. Ray facilitated local history lessons at the KJ House for Manchester students.
He has worked many hours researching and writing reports on area families and local home histories. His desire to educate and keep the community involved resulted in him teaching classes on how to do your own research. His research also involved the local cemeteries and resulted in plaques being erected there.
As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. MAHS membership has quadrupled in size since Ray became president, a testament to his enthusiasm, motivation, and great leadership.
Ray’s wife, Karen, has likewise been heavily involved in the organization and continues to be so, from overseeing the gift shop, handling memberships, coordinating volunteer assignments, coordinating special events, ensuring all get fed goodies at the membership meetings, and supporting Ray’s endeavors for the good of the community.
The Manchester Area Historical Society would like to express its deepest gratitude to Ray for his dedicated service and leadership to the community and the organization!
MAHS president, Barry Allen, and retiring president, Ray Berg, celebrating paying off the mortgage of the KJ House. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
President of MAHS, Barry Allen, presenting retiring president, Ray Berg, the board room plaque. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
Ray Berg introducing his family. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
Ray and Karen Berg. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
MAHS board members, L-R: Caroline Lange, Jaimie Schmidt, Sue LaRocque, Kathleen Graddy, Ray Berg, Jim Wilson, David Renner, Barry Allen, Annette Siffin. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
New vice-president, Jaimie Schmidt, retiring president, Ray Berg, Karen Berg, new president, Barry Allen. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
Retiring president, Ray Berg. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
Karen Berg was also recognized for all her support of the Manchester Area Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Manchester Area Historical Society.
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