Virginia “Ginny” Baer Ebersole, historian, archivist, chronicler, steward and guardian of The Lutheran Orphans’ Home in Berks County, will be recognized with a special exhibit at 2 p.m. May 28, in the Rotunda Dining Room of the Lutheran Home at Topton.

Ginny lived at the Home as a child and then again in her older years when it became the EverTrue Lutheran Home at Topton, an older adult Life Plan Community. She devoted her life to preserving its history, leaving behind a legacy of historical artifacts, photos, newsletters, magazines and furniture from the home.

EverTrue is presenting the exhibit “Virginia Baer Ebersole: The Home Collection” to honor its history and Ginny. Ginny’s friend, Brenda Hensinger, will do a short presentation with refreshments to follow. The event is open to the community.

“For many years, I observed how carefully and meticulously, Ginny, as she was known to her friends and everyone was her friend, lovingly cared for the memories of all the children who lived at the home,” Hensinger recalls fondly. “Ginny was not only the keeper of our history, but she lived it.”

The exhibit showcases portraits of Ginny, her home Vintage Chippendale Style Fall Front Drop Front Secretary Desk and its skeleton key, a love seat and additional vintage photos of Ginny as part of the display.

Ginny left extensive archives that are being reviewed for future exhibits, such as the home’s large newsletter collection, including the first issue of The Orphans’ Home Paper published in January 1897. Kutztown University is partnering with EverTrue Lutheran Home at Topton as a teaching site, with history intern Azim Edens helping organize and catalog the home’s archives.

Ginny’s passionate efforts made it possible to share “The Home Collection” with local historical societies, residents and visitors to Lutheran Home at Topton.

“Ginny didn’t look for glory or recognition in her labor of love,” Hensinger says. “Ginny kept the stories alive to remind the world that they mattered.”