The Marion County Historical Society is establishing a new Hall of Fame, to honor those who have served the organization over the years; and ceremonies to honor its inaugural class of inductees will be held during Pioneer Days in June.

The induction ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 8th; it will be in the Valley Chapel on the grounds of the society’s Historic Village, located at Marion County Park.

Craig Agan is the President of the Marion County Historical Society Board of Directors; he tells KNIA/KRLS News Pioneer Days is the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the people who have helped to preserve the county’s history.

“We’ve taken this opportunity, formed a committee to research into some of the people who were so instrumental in establishing the Society and the village; and we’re going to honor the first of those this year. And it’ll become an annual event to honor others as we move forward,” Agan says.

Inductees include Jesse Adams, who played a key role in acquiring and moving the Pleasant Ridge School, the first building in the village. Also, Christa and Jack Belknap, who helped found the organization in 1955; and Lois and Jim Akins, who served for many years as officers with the Historical Society’s board of directors.

Others to be inducted include Merle and Dorothy Betterton, who helped bring Knoxville’s Stagecoach Inn to the village; Pauline McNeish, who served as board secretary for many years; and Chuck Walter, a longtime president for the board.

Lois Akins and Christa Belknap are scheduled to be on hand to receive their honors; all others will be recognized posthumously.

Pioneer Days will feature a movie at the Historic Village on Friday, June 7th; breakfast will be served there on Saturday from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m., lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and buildings will be open for visitors until 5:00 p.m. with a free will donation as admission.