The Payson Historical Society recently held elections for a new slate of officers. In February, Gloria Barnett, President of the Historical Society, announced to the group she would not be seeking re-election to her position in March due to declining health. She asked L Dee Stevenson to run for president since he had held the position prior to assuming the presidency of the People Preserving Peteetneet. Gloria passed away on March 1, 2015 just prior to the elections that were held on March 5th. She was one of the founding members of the Historical Society in 1989 and served it, the Peteetneet Museum and the community well for the next 26 years. She will be missed by all that had the opportunity to work with her over the year.
The following officers were elected to serve for the next two year: L. Dee Stevenson, President; Cal Reece, Vice-President, Helen Walker, Secretary; and Sandra Hummer as Treasurer.
Mr. Stevenson served as Vice-President of the Historical Society for the last two years. Prior to that he served as President of People Preserving Peteetneet. He also served as Vice-President of that organization while Gloria Barnett served as President. At the same time, he served as the President of the Historical Society
He was teaching Computer Technology when he retired from Nebo School District after serving 37 years in the classrooms of the district. He was a member of Nebo Education Association, Utah Education Association and was a Life Member of the National Education Association. He served as an officer in the Nebo Education Association and was a Teacher Leader in Nebo School District for many years.
He received numerous awards while he was teaching. He was honored in the publication, Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America, and Outstanding Teacher in American Education. He was the recipient of “The Crystal Apple Award” that is awarded for Excellence in Education.
Dee and his wife, the former Julie Cheever, have resided in Payson their entire lives. They have five children and seven grandchildren.
Dee attended Peteetneet for elementary school so the building holds many fond memories. He served his country as a member of the United States Army in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division in the late 1960s at the height of the Vietnam War.
He has been involved with the Peteetneet Museum for over fourteen years and has been on the Board of Trustees for over twelve years. He is also a member of the Payson Preservation Board. He developed and maintains the web site of the museum as well as the Facebook page and Blogspot for the organization. He is also responsible for the compilation and publication of the Peteetneet Newsletter three times a year. He also serve as a Tour Guide one day a week.
He previously served a term as President of the Historical Society. He worked with Gloria Barnett in updating “The Walking Tour of Fort Peteetneet” as well as other pamphlets utilized at the museum.
He worked closely with Cal Reece in the “Payson–Now and Then” series that appeared in the Payson Chronicle for several years. The articles were later compiled into a book, Payson Than and Now” is used as a fund raiser for the Historical Society. Dee and Cal collected almost 600 historic photos of Payson. These are now being put on the Blogspot and Facebook pages of the Historical Society under the title, “Photo of the Day.” These photos will became the basis of a photo album book that will also be used as a fund raiser.
Dee loves working with all the great people on the Historical Society and the Volunteers of the museum. Peteetneet is the “Showpiece of Payson” and when people think of Payson they automatically think of the Peteetneet. He said it would be impossible to operate the museum or do the work of the Historical Society without all the great people. Dee looks forward to working with the Historical Society and the Peteetneet Museum in the coming years.
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