Winter 2026
Leadership at Steppingstone
Leadership At Steppingstone
At Steppingstone Farm Museum, we know that good stewardship, like good farming, depends on both deep roots and new growth. Each season builds on the work of those who came before, while fresh hands and ideas help ensure a strong harvest for the future. That balance is nicely captured in a familiar line from an old song sung by many Girl Scouts around their campfires: “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, but the other gold.”
That sentiment aptly describes recent changes to Steppingstone’s Board of Directors. We are grateful to our “gold” friends who continue their dedicated service: past President Ronald Querns, past Second Vice President Teresa Stout, Treasurer Robert Thresher, Secretary Gail Connolly, and Board member Mark Herman. Their experience and long-standing commitment help preserve Steppingstone’s agricultural heritage, historic collections, and educational programs for generations to come.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Karen Whitlock, who has stepped down from the Board but will continue to serve Steppingstone as our Wedding Coordinator. In addition, State Park Ranger Supervisor Nicole Staab remains a valued partner, continuing her role as liaison to the Maryland State Park System.
At the same time, we are pleased to welcome new “silver” friends whose energy and fresh perspectives represent the next season of leadership: Donna Tower Lenzner President, Laura Drake as First Vice President, and Samantha Bishop - Watts as a new Board member. We are also delighted to welcome back Haley Strong, who will serve in 2026 as Steppingstone’s Director of Institutional Improvement (DII), helping cultivate continued growth and long-term sustainability.
Together—those with deep roots and those bringing new growth—our Board reflects the enduring values of Steppingstone Farm Museum: honoring the past, caring for the present, and planting thoughtfully for the future. In this newsletter, we are pleased to highlight both our past and new Presidents as part of that continuing story.
Donna Tower Lenzner
President
Donna Tower Lenzner joined the Steppingstone Board of Directors in 2025. She has been a resident of Harford County for 56 years and currently resides in Bulle Rock with her husband Ron. She is a proud mother of three grown children and proud grandmother of six.
Donna has spent 47 years in non-profit fundraising. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from University of MD/College Park and held her Certified Fund Raising Executive designation in nonprofit fundraising management.
Her career started at the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore where she served as Director of Development and ended with positions at Harford Day School in Bel Air and University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation where she managed community engagement and special events for 19 years before retiring in 2024.
As a volunteer over the years, she served as President of the Society for the Preservation of Federal Hill and Fell’s Point, chaired the Fells Point Fun Festival for five years, and also served on the Bel Air Historic District Commission.
Donna is committed to strengthening the Board and the financial health at Steppingstone to ensure it's survivability in the years ahead.
Laura Drake
Vice President
Laura J. Drake began her career in higher education at Cecil College in 2002 as Administrative Office Supervisor before being promoted to Manager of Continuing Education Operations. In that role, she oversaw administrative staff for all Continuing Education programs and ensured regulatory compliance
for course offerings.
After three years in administration at Upper Chesapeake Health, Laura joined Harford Community College as Administrative Specialist to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), where she managed departmental budgets exceeding $21 million. In 2016, she advanced to Coordinator for Academic Operations and, in December 2024, was promoted to Director of Workforce and Continuing Education Operations.
In her current role, Laura is responsible for regulatory compliance for all continuing education courses and reporting, maintaining the integrity of student registration records, and serving as the division’s FERPA compliance contact. She supports the AVP for Workforce and Continuing Education with data research and operational planning, facilitates staff meetings, coordinates off-campus class sites with HCPS, and manages offsite facilities. Laura is actively involved in several statewide affinity groups.
A lifelong resident of Havre de Grace, Laura began volunteering at Steppingstone Museum as a teenager, serving as a docent and helping build display cases in the barn. In 1994, she married her
husband of 32 years on the patio behind the museum’s main house.
Samantha Bishop-Watts
Secretary
Samantha Bishop-Watts is an accomplished legal and compliance executive and brings a deep passion for heritage preservation, nonprofit governance and regional history to her role as a Director at Steppingstone Farm Museum. Throughout her professional career, Samantha has led complex initiatives that require thoughtful stewardship, careful policy oversight and an ability to build partnerships across diverse groups. At Steppingstone, Samantha is committed to advancing the museum's mission and supporting the plans and strategy to grow programs that bring history to life for visitors of all ages.
Ronald Querns
Previous President
Ron Querns began his career as a Boy Scout camp counselor in western New York, an experience that led to a 33-year career as an Industrial Arts/Technology teacher with Harford County Public Schools. He was honored as Maryland’s Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year and attended a national conference in Columbus, Ohio.
A devoted family man, Ron enjoys gardening, woodworking, and learning new artisan crafts at Steppingstone. His involvement with the museum began when he was recruited to help build a State Fair display and assist with rebuilding the blacksmith shop. While later docenting in the woodshop, Ron discovered the long-neglected cooper shop and knew Steppingstone was where he could make a lasting contribution.
Over the years, Ron has served as a volunteer, maintenance helper, Board member, and past Board President, with a particular passion for teaching and preserving traditional crafts. An active member of the Early American Industries Association, he has created multiple artifact displays using Steppingstone collections, many of which are now part of the museum’s permanent exhibits.
Ron also works closely with Scouts on Eagle Scout and Gold Award projects that have significantly enhanced the museum. He describes Steppingstone as a “hidden gem” and considers it a privilege to continue working alongside the dedicated individuals who make this remarkable museum thrive.
Haley Strong
Director of Institutional Improvements
We are thrilled to welcome back Haley Strong to Steppingstone Farm Museum! Haley previously served as Executive Director from 2019 to 2024, guiding the museum through a period of development and new initiatives. Following her tenure as Executive Director, she continued to support Steppingstone as a Board Consultant from 2024 to 2025.
Haley is returning in 2026 as Director of Institutional Improvement, bringing her deep knowledge of the museum and her passion for preserving its history while fostering its future. She is excited to work alongside the Board, staff, and volunteers to strengthen Steppingstone’s programs, enhance operations, and ensure the museum remains a vibrant community resource.
“Steppingstone has always been a special place,” Haley says. “I’m thrilled to return and help continue preserving the past while celebrating the museum’s future.”
With Haley back on the team, Steppingstone looks forward to another year of innovation, progress, and dedication to keeping history alive for generations to come.
Upcoming Projects
We are excited to share what lies ahead as Steppingstone enters a new year filled with renewed purpose and possibility. As former Executive Director Stephanie Kennedy recently reflected, the Museum is entering a new era—one defined by resilience and truly rising from the ashes.
The past two years have brought significant challenges, marked by devastating loss and necessary adjustments. Thanks to the strength of our community and supporters, Steppingstone is moving forward with optimism and determination.
Two major projects are currently underway. A Barn Feasibility Study marks the first step in the long-term recovery following the 2024 fire, while restoration efforts are underway at the Historic Blacksmith Shop, a cornerstone of the Museum’s living history. In addition, upgrades to the Museum’s public restrooms are planned to improve visitor comfort and accessibility. We are grateful that all of these initiatives are being supported through grant funding awarded by the Maryland Historical Trust and the Harford County Government.
As this important work continues, Steppingstone’s Board and Staff are actively planning additional restoration and upgrade efforts across the property. We remain deeply committed to preserving this beautiful and historic site so it may continue to educate and inspire generations to come.
Upcoming Events
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NEW Series
Living Traditions: Folk Arts at Steppingstone explores the rich traditions of folk life, heritage crafts, and cultural practices passed down through generations. Participants will learn directly from skilled artisans and community practitioners, engaging in hands-on workshops that preserve and celebrate skills handed down through generations.
This series highlights the living connections between past and present, supporting those who continue these
traditions today while inspiring the next generation to carry them forward.
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The cornerstone of Steppingstone Farm Museum is our incredible volunteers. Without their dedication, we could not maintain this historic property, showcase the many trades and folk arts that bring our history to life, or host the family and community focused events that make Steppingstone so special.
Volunteers are truly the heart of the Museum, and we are fortunate to have an amazing group of individuals who generously donate their time, skills, and expertise to support our mission.
Thank you to all of our volunteers for helping make 2025 a wonderful year at Steppingstone! Your commitment and passion inspire us every day, and we are deeply grateful for everything you do.
Get Involved & Join the Family
We’d love for you to be part of our story! When you become a member, volunteer, or make a donation, you’re joining a community that cares deeply about preserving and celebrating the rural heritage of Harford County.
Your support helps us care for our beautiful 23 acres and 23 historic buildings, keeping them vibrant and welcoming for everyone who visits. It also makes it possible to offer the family and pet friendly, community-centered programs that bring history to life in fun, meaningful ways.
Whether you have time to share, resources to give, or simply a love of local history, there’s a place for you here. Every membership, volunteer hour, and donation truly makes a difference.
Come join the family and help us keep history alive for generations to come!
A Glimpse Back into Time
Image from this past year
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