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MIFFLINTOWN -- For years, Jessica Eaton Guyer has worked to ensure that Juniata County’s stories are preserved, shared and brought to life for future generations.
That commitment to local history, education and community engagement has earned Guyer statewide recognition as a 2026 Window Keeper, an honor awarded by PA Humanities through its "The Window Keeper: Civic Honors initiative."
On Oct. 7, PA Humanities announced the final group of 125 honorees selected for the program, bringing the total number of Window Keepers recognized across Pennsylvania to 180. The newest honorees were nominated by members of their own communities and join 55 individuals recognized earlier this year.
Together, they represent the many ways Pennsylvanians use history, storytelling, culture, education and civic engagement to strengthen the places they call home.
The recognition carries special meaning for Guyer, who learned that two people from the community nominated her independently for the honor.
“I’m grateful to everyone I’ve had the opportunity to learn from, work alongside and serve,” Guyer said. “With this honor, it’s also a recognition of the people, relationships and communities that make this work possible here in Juniata County.”
The honor recognizes Pennsylvanians whose everyday actions strengthen communities and sustain civic life through the humanities. Together, the Window Keepers form a statewide network of people who use storytelling, history, culture, education, civic engagement and other humanities-based efforts to strengthen the places they call home.
Serving as president of the Juniata County Historical Society and curator of the Tuscarora Academy Museum, Guyer has become one of the region’s most visible advocates for preserving and promoting local history.
PA Humanities highlighted Guyer’s ability to make local history engaging and accessible for residents throughout the county.
"Jessica Guyer makes Juniata County history a living, participatory part of community life," the organization wrote in its Window Keeper profile. "As president of the Juniata County Historical Society, curator of the Tuscarora Academy Museum, genealogist, author, archivist and America250PA county leader, she combines research and preservation with school programs, intergenerational events, reenactments, community celebrations, and ongoing planned projects such as the Mifflintown Canal House restoration. By correcting the historical record, bringing organizations together, and inviting residents of all ages into local history, Guyer helps the community understand its past while building pride and connection for the future."
That description reflects Guyer’s approach to community service and historical preservation. Through educational programming, genealogy research, museum exhibits, public events and preservation initiatives, she has helped residents discover connections to the people and events that shaped Juniata County.
Her work has focused not only on preserving artifacts and records but also on ensuring that history remains relevant and accessible. School programs, intergenerational activities, reenactments and community celebrations have provided opportunities for residents of all ages to engage with local heritage.
The Window Keeper initiative was created as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary and inspired by poet Yolanda Wisher’s poem “The Window Keeper.” In the poem, the Declaration of Independence is imagined as the windows of a skyscraper that must continually be cleaned, clarified and cared for. The civic honors program carries that idea forward by recognizing individuals whose efforts strengthen communities and civic life.
According to PA Humanities, Window Keepers help sustain civic life by bringing people together, encouraging participation in community life, preserving stories and traditions, and helping others feel seen, heard and connected.
Guyer’s selection places her among a diverse statewide group of educators, artists, historians, organizers, volunteers, librarians and community leaders whose work often happens quietly but leaves a lasting impact.
PA Humanities Executive Director Laurie Zierer said the initiative has highlighted the remarkable work being done in communities throughout the Commonwealth.
"What this initiative has revealed is the extraordinary depth of leadership and service at work across Pennsylvania," Zierer said. "These Window Keepers are strengthening civic life, preserving stories and history, and bringing people together every day. PA Humanities has a unique role in finding that leadership, making it visible and connecting people across regions and sectors so their knowledge, relationships and impact can reach farther."
For Juniata County, the honor shines a spotlight on the importance of local history and the people committed to keeping it alive. For Guyer, it serves as both a personal recognition and a reflection of the community she has spent years documenting, celebrating and preserving.
As the only Window Keeper honored from the Juniata Valley, Guyer said the recognition belongs not only to her but also to the many people, organizations and volunteers who work together to preserve the region’s history and strengthen community connections for future generations.