Buckeye Hills Regional Council Development Director Sam Miller and two sites in the Buckeye Hills region are among the 2025 Appalachian Heritage Award honorees to be recognized at the annual Appalachian Heritage Luncheon on Tuesday, December 16.
The Luncheon, which will take place in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium, is a joint venture of Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area and Heritage Ohio that recognizes the outstanding people, places, and projects that make the 32-county Appalachian region of Ohio such a rich cultural area. The event is sponsored by AEP Ohio, with additional support from OhioSE, The Ohio Arts Council, JobsOhio, and the Ohio Lottery. More information and tickets may be found at https://shorturl.at/9x2pO. The event will be hosted by Senator Tim Schaffer, and other special guests.
“I’m truly humbled to receive such an honor,” said Miller. “From my college years to the community development work I do today, advancing and building a stronger Appalachian Ohio has remained the focus of everything I do. This honor is a testament to the mutual trust and respect built with communities in the region as we work together.”
In addition to Miller, honorees include the Belpre Farmers Castle Museum Underground Railroad Exhibit (Washington County) and Hidden Hills Orchard, (Washington County)
This year, the organization received a record 31 nominations for the 8 awards of recognition. Additional 2025 honorees include The Old Burying Ground Restoration (Highland County), Pike Heritage Museum (Pike County), Steve Free Folk Music (Scioto County), Ohio Hills Health Center (OHHC) Bradfield (Belmont County), and the Artist Colony of Zanesville (Muskingum County).
Honoree: Sam Miller, Development Director – Buckeye Hills Regional Council
County: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, & Washington
As Development Director at Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Sam Miller is dedicated to improving the quality of life across Appalachian Ohio. Sam has approached every initiative with a consistent focus on honoring the region’s cultural identity while building its economic future. Her work has been carried out through years of engagement with local leaders, nonprofits, and residents, ensuring community voices shape development efforts. Sam has established Appalachian Ohio as a place where collaboration is the norm, not the exception.
Through Sam’s dedication, communities have gained access to critical resources, businesses have been supported, and heritage assets have been preserved for future generations. Her leadership has brought in millions of dollars in investment and instilled pride and optimism among Appalachian residents. The result is a stronger, more resilient region where cultural heritage is recognized as an identity and an economic asset. Sam’s work ensures that Appalachian heritage remains a source of pride and strength for decades.
Honoree: Belpre Farmers Castle Museum- Underground Railroad Exhibit
County: Washington
The Underground Railroad exhibit at the Belpre Farmers Castle Museum honors the stories of freedom seekers who passed through Washington County, Ohio, and the brave abolitionists who aided them. The project was developed as part of the museum’s mission to protect and interpret the region’s abolitionist history, foster community awareness, and encourage intergenerational storytelling. It has also boosted heritage tourism, drawing visitors to Belpre and supporting the local economy.
Volunteers, educators, churches, and historians have collaborated to collect artifacts, documents, oral histories, and interpretive materials that tell a powerful story of resistance and hope.
Honoree: Hidden Hills Orchard
County: Washington
Hidden Hills Orchard is a sustainable, community-centered orchard with cherry trees, peach trees, and 22 varieties of apple trees. They are known for their famous apple cider, which received first-place awards in 2004, 2013, and 2016 in the Ohio Apple Cider Contest. The farm property was originally used as a dairy farm, and in 1998, it was purchased and became established as an apple orchard.
Tom and Kathy Burch took over operations in 2011, expanding U-pick and adding more apple varieties. They are committed to operating a sustainable orchard and do so with solar panels, a drip irrigation system, pollinator habitat maintenance, and more. Tom and Kathy’s son, Dan, and his wife, Katie, fell in love with the orchard and wanted a lifestyle that centered around getting to be together as a family. In March of 2021, they moved to the orchard and made it their full-time work. Hidden Hills Orchard is a wonderful example of a legacy farm that has adapted, implemented sustainable farming techniques, and connected to the community in meaningful ways.
About Heritage Ohio
Heritage Ohio promotes economic growth through the preservation and revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods across Ohio. Heritage Ohio is the coordinating agency for the Ohio Main Street Program and is the designated statewide Ohio preservation partner with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Through saving the places that matter we can all build a community and live better. Learn more about how to become involved by visiting www.heritageohio.org.
About Buckeye Hills Regional Council
Buckeye Hills Regional Council is a council of governments dedicated to improving the lives of residents in Southeast Ohio. By working collaboratively with elected officials across Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties, Buckeye Hills connects communities with local, state, and federal resources through its Aging & Health, Home Care, Community Development, and Planning divisions. Learn more at buckeyehills.org.