A ceremony was held at Barber National Institute to unveil a new permanent exhibit crafted to honor the organization’s founder, Dr. Gertrude A. Barber. The exhibit is filled with memorabilia of the life and work of Dr. Barber. Key administrators spoke about the mission of Dr. Barber and her impact on the organization to this day. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the room was blessed by Fr. James Power, Postulator for the Cause for Canonization. The event concluded with refreshments in the North Lobby served by Elizabeth Lee Black School students.
The ribbon cutting ceremony included speeches from President and CEO John Barber, Executive Vice President Dr. Maureen Barber-Carey, Senior Vice President Robert Barber, Senior Vice President Patrick Barber, and the dedication by Fr. James Power that addressed Dr. Barber’s Cause for Canonization. Key stakeholders of Barber National Institute assisted in the ribbon cutting, including board members, students and adults.
After cutting the ribbon, there was a curtain revealed to unveil the room and its contents. Guests were invited to tour the room and leave a note in the guest book about their connection to Dr. Barber or their journey with Barber National Institute.
As guests finished touring the Founder’s Room, they were invited to refreshments. Elizabeth Lee Black School students held a lemonade stand to hand out lemonade and shamrock cookies to attendees. Filled with eagerness and excitement, students had the opportunity to interact with guests, and demonstrate their skills acquired through services at Barber National Institute, all thanks to the work of Dr. Barber.
The Founder’s Room
The Founder’s Room exhibit is comprised of artifacts, photographs, and other historical documents to take visitors through the life of Dr. Barber and her mission to bring education and opportunities to children with disabilities which led to the eventual opening of the Gertrude A. Barber Center, now known as Barber National Institute. Dr. Barber’s work and passion have brought services to individuals across Pennsylvania, with many families traveling country-wide to receive our services.
The exhibit will be open to the community Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
