Cal Doucette Award

Cal Doucette was a long time member of our Gettysburg Civil War Roundtable, and active in the Gettysburg community. He held a position on our Board of Directors, and it was he who advocated for recognition of people who do something special for battlefields in general, and Gettysburg in particular. It was Cal who suggested our roundtable create an award to recognize those outstanding individuals who engage in activities which enhance the visitor’s experience to the Gettysburg National Military Park, for the community, and those that contribute to the learning about Gettysburg and the Civil War. 

After his sudden death in 2012, the CWRT Board of Directors decided to create an award in his honor, and to memorialize his spirit. 

Cal took an active role in many aspects of Gettysburg and the Civil War community. He was employed by the Gettysburg Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and assisted visitors at the historic train station. He volunteered his services for a number of organizations, including the GNMP’s Visitor’s Center, where assisted visitors in the galleries and at the information desk. One could not encounter him without noticing the twinkle in his eye, or the smile on his face. He was a docent at The David Wills House and the Rupp House. Once a week he gave a living history presentation at the Battlefield Bed and Breakfast, and on Sunday afternoons he would visit Reid’s Winery to talk about the Civil War with visitors. 

In addition to volunteering, he was a member of numerous Civil War organizations at which he frequently spoke.

Cal will always be remembered for his interest in living history as he portrayed Robert Harper - editor of a local Republican newspaper at the time of the Civil War - and also his portrayal of Horace Greeley. One of Cal’s most endearing presentations was his reading of “The Night Before Christmas”, dressed as Thomas Nast’s Civil War Santa to a group of delighted children gathered round. 

It is probably true that one of his favorite pastimes was working with children. For many years he and his wife Sue travelled to schools throughout Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey to teach youngsters what life was like as a child in the 19th century. They explained games that were played, and gave children the opportunity to try on period clothing. 

Sue and Cal never accepted pay for their services, believing that the most important thing was sharing their love of history, and teaching the next generation. 

It is in the spirit of continuing Cal’s work, in recognizing his achievements, and honoring his memory that this award was created.

May 23rd, Lynn Light-Heller awards Wendy Allen the Cal  Doucette Achievement Award  for her selfless creation of ‘100 Nights of Taps’ and her lively art honoring Lincoln.