From left: Margaret Coyle Nestler, Erhart Muller, and Marie Finnegan chat at an Oct. 29 Harvard Conservation Trust party at Fruitlands Museum to honor Muller, one of the founders of the Trust. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Last Friday evening at Fruitlands Museum, Harvard centenarian Erhart Muller was honored at a party given by the Harvard Conservation Trust (HCT). Speaking to about 60 guests, trust President Victor Normand paid tribute to Muller’s leadership in the protection of land in Harvard. Muller, who celebrated his 100th birthday in August, was a founding trustee of HCT in 1973.
Other speakers included Muller’s longtime friends Audrey Ball, former HCT executive secretary, and Larry Finnegan, another founding trustee. Finnegan spoke of Muller as a role model for humanitarian and community leadership. Muller refused to take any credit and returned the praise to Finnegan.
Proceeds from the ticket sales to the event will be used to establish the Ruth and Erhart Muller Stewardship fund. Normand told the guests that the purpose of the Fund is to support the care and protection of the land in Harvard that has been entrusted to the organization. Total HCT protected land, currently close to 600 acres, includes parcels donated by the Mullers.
