Names in the News: Judy Wilson

Title/Position/Occupation:
Currently I am president of Duluth Historical Society. Our group operates and maintains the located in the Historic Strickland House, 2956 Buford Hwy. Duluth. I also am the salesperson for my scroll saw artist husband Fred when we are involved in art and craft shows during the year.

Sphere of influence:
Family, friends, our community, and the Duluth History Museum occupy 99.44% of my time. (I borrowed the figure from the old Ivory soap ad. Just had to throw in a bit of history.)

Education/Background:
Former registered nurse for 15 years. Former president of the West Gwinnett Soccer Association. Former owner of The Fabric Hut for 10 years. Currently 100% retired and working harder than when I was getting a paycheck. 

Accomplishments/Accolades:
Worked with Scott Hudgens to find a home for our soccer program, in the 1980s. That “home” is still in use at Scott Hudgens Park at River Green. We lobbied Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation also for a place to play soccer and now have a permanent home at George Pierce Park.

When the Duluth City Council decided to tear down the Old City Hall Block, the Historical Society was worried about our existing museum artifacts, pictures and papers. We were able to work out an agreement with the Strickland family descendants to move into and continue the preservation of the Historic Strickland House. We now have a History Museum that Duluth can be proud of and a collection that continues to grow.

Projects/Goals:
I hope to see the History Museum and The Strickland House property become a centerpiece of pride for the City of Duluth and to see its use increase in the community. We have started a Community Garden and hope to add a botanical garden or native plant garden to our original growth forested area. 

We have Girl Scout troops that meet there, and we hope to see this use expand to other groups.

The Strickland House itself is a great place for private and community events.

Hobbies/Leisure Activities:
Spending exclusive time with my family (the other .56% of my time).

Civic/Church:
Working with the merchants to make Duluth a destination place to shop, explore, learn, eat, and play.

Family:
A very talented scroll saw artist husband Fred, whom I have been married to for 48 years. He is my right hand man for the Historical Society website. We have three sons, Raymond, Lee and Brian, and four grandchildren, Alicia, Niccales, Kelsey, and Tyler.

Something hardly anyone knows about you:
My husband and I rode a motorcycle for 15 years all around the country.