CAZENOVIA — Earlier this summer, local resident and long-time educator Pat Hill retired from the Cazenovia Public Library (CPL) after providing more than 20 years of service to both the library and its museum.
Throughout the years, Hill served on the CPL Museum Committee, led museum tours for thousands of visitors, and worked with fellow museum educator Julia Shotzberger to develop and teach local history curricula for second and seventh grade students in the Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD). She also helped to research, develop, write and design the museum’s permanent and virtual exhibits, including Fashion Takes Flight, WonderCabinet, the Egyptian Room exhibits, and a recently installed local history display.
“Through Pat and Julia’s programs, our school children were able to learn about the past through real objects from our museum,” said Library Director Betsy Kennedy. “The stories of the artifacts, the hands-on activities, and the museum tours created memorable experiences for the students. Our museum educators also created compelling exhibitions using artifacts that have been in storage for many years. Pat’s extensive research and careful writing have helped make our exhibits a powerful learning experience for everyone. The library was so fortunate that Pat had the dedication to finding the history and presenting it to the public in a meaningful way. The museum is a much larger part of our services to the community and to visitors because of her hard work.”
Hill also developed and taught numerous library programs for both children and adults.
The educator said that throughout her career, she has always enjoyed working with kids.
“I love their energy and openness to new ideas and experiences,” she said. “And they make me laugh.”
In addition to leading Art for Kids and Explorer Days alongside Children’s Education Coordinator Jenna Wright-Martin, she also developed the science-based children’s program Explore and Learn, and helped coordinate the Warming Up to Winter series.
“Pat was a joy to work with,” said Wright-Martin, “She has such a creative energy about her that made planning programs with her so much fun. Pat is really attuned to how to present information so that it is fun and engaging — especially in developing programming for children — so that it can be adapted to best fit each unique group in attendance. Her creativity and kind nature was a wonderful asset for the library and community all these years and will be greatly missed.”
Hill has been designing and developing educational programs for over 35 years.
“I love the process of creating programs,” she said. “I enjoy learning as much as possible about a particular topic and then condensing that knowledge down into something that can be shared, absorbed, and enjoyed by other people.”
Prior to moving to Cazenovia in 1988, Hill worked as a marine education specialist for the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT, where she developed and taught marine science workshops and programs for grades K-6 and college level students.
After arriving in Cazenovia, Hill sat on the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park Education Committee and served as program administrator for the park’s Adventures with Art and Nature Summer Education Program.
In the late 1990s, she also developed the third-grade Pond Study for CCSD, a five-part enrichment program that she taught each year through 2018.
The series consisted of four classroom sessions followed by a hands-on field study at a local pond.
“Pat always taught with kindness and respect,” said retired third grade teacher Beth Reger. “At the local pond, Pat set up many stations where students could apply their [in-class] learning. She shared her expertise in such a way that the children really pondered the nature around them. Years later, students still remember and talk about this program as a highlight of their third grade experience. Pat Hill has been a treasure in our community, enriching the lives of many children. Her service and commitment to our children are greatly appreciated and will be sorely missed.”
The library staff celebrated Hill’s retirement with a garden party hosted by Shotzberger on June 27.
According to Kennedy, the CPL Board of Trustees recently planted a viburnum bush by the library’s side porch in Hill’s honor.
“The Cazenovia Public Library is such a special place,” said Hill. “It has been my great privilege to work alongside such a dedicated staff and to view firsthand the library’s important role in the community.”
To learn more about CPL, visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.
Editor’s note: Pat Hill is the mother of Cazenovia Republican reporter Kate Hill.
