I had the pleasure of meeting Audrey Fisher in the fall of 2006. I was a relatively new teacher at Stissing Mountain High School and had recently taken a graduate course on the educational methods of living history, which uses hands-on experiential methods to help bring history to life. I wanted to bring this type of educational instruction to my students.
To do so, I needed to overcome the networking and financial hurdles. Guidance counselor Karen Pogoda introduced me to Mrs. Fisher, whose support single-handedly kick started my living history program, a program that would change my teaching career. Not only did she help me begin the program, but she also helped me become an historical reenactor myself. This activity helped me gain an in-depth understanding of the soldiers we intended to interpret and study in the classroom.
Audrey and her husband, Arnold, were both prominent philanthropists. Their donations, influence and support of many veteran programs was truly admirable. Mr. Fisher was a veteran of the Korean War. He once told me that he was inspired by the words of President John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” He took these words to heart. He was an essential force in sustaining the Fisher House, a charity that provides housing for military families while soldiers recover from injuries, and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.
Mr. Fisher was also chairman of the board of the Intrepid Museum Foundation. His support for these nationally recognized veteran programs contributed to his being presented with the Presidential Citizens Medal by President George W. Bush and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He was also appointed an Honorary Knight of the British Empire.
With their interest in our nation’s veterans, and an understanding of their sacrifices, the Fishers enthusiastically supported my efforts in living history. As my professional relationship with Mrs. Fisher grew, it was evident she enjoyed and appreciated history. She would join us for many of our living history programs. She marched in full period clothing at Fort Ticonderoga, hiked to the Revolutionary War fortifications on Constitution Island at West Point, studied archaeology at Fort Montgomery and even shot my musket at her farm.
I was happy to call Mrs. Fisher a friend. I fondly recall our visits to her farm with my family, lunch dates, visits to the Intrepid Museum and her genuine interest in me as a person as well as an educator and historian. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, who operated Dunromin’ Arabians on County Rte. 83 for many years, died a few months apart in 2022. We lost two people who were passionately dedicated to our veterans, our community and our history.
Having the Fishers as Pine Plains residents was truly a blessing. As Mrs. Fisher once said, they wanted to be “positive members of the school community.” They certainly were. Making generous donations to our athletic, theater and history departments were just a few of their contributions.
Neil Murray has been a history teacher in Pine Plains since 1999.