Here is the text of the letter we received from the National Endowment for the Humanities:
January 16, 2004
Ms. Patricia A. Murphy
Oberlin Heritage Center/O.H.I.O.
MPO Box 0455
Oberlin, OH 44074
Dear Ms. Murphy:
On behalf of the National Endowment for the Humanities, I would like to congratulate you and your colleagues on your NEH challenge grant. The Endowment is very pleased to join with you in strengthening humanities activities at the Oberlin Heritage Center. This is a high honor: yours is one of only ten institutions to receive such an award under the Special Initiative for Local History in this application cycle.
As you know, NEH challenge grants are awarded only after a demanding peer review process. Your proposal was reviewed by scholars and museum professionals with expertise in interpretation, fund raising, and long-term planning for the humanities. These evaluators were especially impressed with Oberlin's powerful history and with your organization's understanding of the significant story that it has to tell. They also admired past programs and current activities as well as the careful planning process that underlies OHC's decision to hire a museum education coordinator who will enhance humanities programming for scholars, area teachers, and the general public.
Again, congratulations on your NEH challenge grant. We are delighted to be a funding partner for this exciting endeavor, and I hope others will join with us in supporting the enrichment of the humanities in America.
Sincerely,
Bruce Cole
[Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities]