The Stonington Historical Society has announced that Jeff Callahan will receive the 2021 Hero Fellowship Award at the annual Cannon Ball on Sept. 11.

According to Frances Ashley, President of the Stonington Historical Society, the Hero Fellowship Award is given annually to an individual or entity that exhibits extraordinary dedication and service of distinction in furthering the mission of the Stonington Historical Society: to preserve, interpret and celebrate the history of the region.

As one of the longest-serving wardens of Stonington Borough, Callahan has contributed his time, energy and talent to the local area since 2013. He has served on committees including the Bicentennial for the Battle of Stonington and the restoration of the Borough Cannon Carriages. In bringing history to the forefront, he secured signage on 1-95 for the Lighthouse and Palmer House Museums and transferred Borough Meeting Records from 1837 to the society.

Callahan has also spearheaded numerous borough projects including the Sea Wall restoration at Wayland’s Wharf, the inventory and signage of Borough trees and the United Church Steeple and clock renovation. In fact, around town, he is often called the unofficial keeper of the Stonington Clock.

Callahan is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and received a PhD in Physical Oceanography from Johns Hopkins University. He served on Navy active duty and in the reserves until retiring as a captain in 1991. Following that, he worked in several consulting firms before joining the URI Graduate School of Oceanography as Director of Facilities and Operations at the Narragansett Bay Campus.

As residents of Stonington since 1978, Callahan and his wife Lynn have been active community members, donors and supporters of the Stonington Historical Society as well as several other cultural and environmental organizations.