Cairnes Couple Declared Living Treasures in Harford County

The Harford County Council recently announced that George and Evelyn Cairnes have been declared "Harford Living Treasures."

Each year, community members can nominate individuals for the Living Treasure recognition. To qualify,candidates must be residents of Harford County for at least 40 years and be at least 70 years old, according to a statement from Harford County.

George and Evelyn Cairnes, both in their nineties, are lifelong citizens of Harford County who have been members and leaders within business and community organizations, the statement said. They have been married for 68 years.

George Cairnes, 90, is a farmer who also headed up the family business, Cairnes Insurance Agency, until he retired, according to the statement. 

He was a member and governing board member of the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Department for more than 70 years; president and charter member of the Lions Club; and board member and past president of the Jarrettsville Federal Savings and Loan Association. He also served with the Jarrettsville Truck Co., the statement said.

Evelyn Hess Cairnes, 92, handled administrative duties for the insurance business, and was a homemaker. She "always brought a mouthwatering dish to share" and was "the behind the scenes organizer" who helped functions go off without a hitch, the statement from the county said.

County Councilman Chad Shrodes thanked the Cairnes for their service in Jarrettsville and noted while presenting them with a council proclamation that they continue to work at their son's real estate agency, according to the statement.

Next, trained staff from the Harford County Public Library will interview the couple. 

Since 1981 when the Living Treasure award was established, recipients have worked with the library to document their life experiences for inclusion in the Harford County Public Library’s Living Treasures Oral History Project.

The Bel Air branch houses the collection, which consists of more than 300 accounts of what life was like in Harford County, some of which are digitized.

The Living Treasure program is a collaborative effort among the Harford County Council, Harford County Department of Community Services, Cultural Arts Board and Harford County Public Library, according to a statement from Harford County.