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HISTORIAN TO STUDY IN COOPERSTOWN PROGRAM

Morning Call - Allentown, Pa. Author: Kimberly Quier Of The Morning Call

Copyright Morning Call Aug 19, 2004

Moravian Historical Society curator Mark Turdo was recently granted a leave of absence to earn his master's degree in museum studies at the prestigious Cooperstown Graduate Program of the State University of New York.

The Nazareth society's staff has only two people, so his loss will be significant.

Executive director Susan Dreydoppel said the effect on the public should be minimal, but the benefits of his absence will outweigh the sacrifice, since Turdo will return to share his knowledge.

As one of about 15 students accepted into the two-year program, Turdo's experience made him eligible for the school's continuing education track, a privilege granted to a select one or two students.

He will spend his first and last semesters in New York, exploring the workings of large museums, exhibits and their programs. He will return home to Nazareth and his job during the second and third semesters while pursuing independent study projects.

Turdo, 29, already has more than 17 years of experience with Moravian history, although he admits it has been mostly by accident.

As a 12-year-old history buff, he was a volunteer youth guide for the former Tannery, now known as the Bethlehem Historical Partnership, where he gave tours and taught himself pottery techniques of the Moravians. He also volunteered at the Sun Inn.

He studied at East Stroudsburg University before transferring to Moravian College and came to the historical society as an intern. Dreydoppel recalled that from the start, Turdo was "pretty exceptional."

When he's not at work providing research assistance, giving tours or developing exhibits, Turdo devotes his life to preserving and uncovering Moravian history.

Living without cable television, he instead prefers to do activities that "give me something at the end of the day."

Kimberly Quier

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