Making A Difference: Ronnie "E.O." Ebbert

Ronnie Ebbert graduated from the Coudersport Area School District in 1960.  He met an Austin girl, Priscilla Anne Carr in 1962 and they married on July 13, 1963.

Ronnie is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces having served in the Army from July 1960 to June 1966.  He was stationed in Korea and Germany during his time in the military.  Priscilla was able to join him in Germany.

Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army, Ronnie and Priscilla made their home in Austin, Pennsylvania.  He found employment  at the National Fuel Gas Company, Wharton, Pennsylvania.  He was employed at National Fuel from 1967 until his retirement in the year 2000.

Ronnie has always been a civic- and- community service-minded person. He was a driving force behind the formation of The Austin Jaycees in 1968.

Ronnie appears at the far left in the picture

Ronnie was elected President of the local chapter of the Jaycees.  Some of the projects completed by the Jaycees in addition to those pictured below were creating a Christmas Tree Lighting Contest and cutting the brush and trees at the site of the Austin Dam Ruins:

The School Path

The School Path

Built Ice Skating Rink For Community in 1968

Ronnie presenting Senior Citizen Award to Ralph Hernquist

These projects earned the Austin Jaycees the coveted Blue Chip Award by the Pennsylvania State Jaycees:

Ronnie receiving the Award

In 1969 Ronald Dean Ebbert was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America

One day in 1967, while sitting at the breakfast table, Ronnie informed Priscilla that he was going to build a museum in Austin when he retired.  On September 2, 2002, the official groundbreaking for the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum began.

Ronnie Ebbert removing the first shovel of dirt

Mayor Neil Shepard

Peggy Kelsey

Mark Jeffers and Judy Heft

Staci Frank top, Don Sypien bottom

The dream became a reality and the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society opened on May 15, 2006.

Here are some pictures taken the day of the official opening:

Honorable John Leete and his wife Georganne

Ronnie with grandson Alex

State Representative Martin Causer

Since that day, the museum has added hundreds of new exhibits, is open five (5) days a week and does not charge for admission.  

Furthermore, each year the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society, under the direction of Mr. Ebbert, completes a project to enhance the Community of Austin. The trees and tree planters on Main Street, painting the gazebo, the clock in front and to the side of the gazebo,and placing many historical markers throughout the area are just a few examples of Mr. Ebberts efforts to improve our community.

This past year, Ronnie was influential in the Borough of Austin accepting the real estate contract transferring the former Northwest Savings Bank building to Austin and locating the borough offices in the bank building on Turner Street.

Additionally, Mr. Ebbert is an active member of the Austin Dam Memorial Association. He was involved in building the gift shop, remodeling the kitchen, and laying the cement for the stage; and, the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society funded the monument that appears in front of the Dam Ruins.

  Ronnie Ebbert  will do whatever it takes to get a job done and never let's the word no stop him from completing whatever mission he undertakes. He is a perfect example of the difference one person can make in a community.

Ronald Dean Ebbert