County Historical Society honors longtime member

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Ike Borland was named the 2024 Volunteer of the Year for the Warren County Historical Society. He is pictured with his award and a copy of the popular publication Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution's Lost Hero.
The Warren County Historical Society has named Ike Borland its 2024 Volunteer of the Year.
Borland was born and raised in Warren, graduating from Warren High School in 1972 and serving four years in the United States Air Force from 1973 through 1977. Borland married his high school sweetheart, Sue Woods, while stationed in Germany.
They have two sons, Brian, who lives in Erie, and Mark, who lives in Warren. They have five grandchildren.
Following his service in the Air Force, Borland worked at Rexnord until 2006 and then at Ellwood Crankshaft until his retirement in 2017.
Borland and his wife were active in reenacting the Civil War for many years. They belonged to the Civil War 111th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company B, a Warren County regiment.
“Ike led the organization in the 2022 Wilder Museum brick restoration project,” said Michelle Gray, Warren County Historical Society managing director. “The project plan entailed the exterior restoration of the 10,600-square-foot building over three years. With steadfastness to the goal, it was completed in one year, preserving the museum’s artifacts and giving longevity to the old Irvine Schoolhouse building, known now as the Wilder Museum of Warren County History.”
Borland provided the leadership and financial support for the installation of the museum’s new schoolhouse exhibit room floor and the latest addition of World War II firearms displayed in the military alcove.
Borland, along with his wife, built the Robert Waters’ Civil War exhibit donated by Ardelle Johnson and is refurbishing the captured Nazi War flag displayed in the World War II exhibit room.
Borland is a vested member of the organization, stepping in wherever and whenever needed, serving as security, as a tour guide, as part of the fundraiser’s prep team, assisting with the archiving of the Lewis photograph collection, serving as a board member since 2020, and board president since 2023.
Borland is also passing along volunteerism to his grandsons who assisted their grandfather in setting up for the 2024’s Best Fest event and, most recently, archiving prep for the David Beaty project.
“We are very fortunate to have Ike as part of the team,” said Gray.
For more information about the Historical Society and volunteer opportunities, visit www.warrenhistory.org.