Feel Good Friday: Woman remembers 32 years of service and relationships at the National Corvette Museum

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –  Earlier this month, the National Corvette Museum celebrated its 32nd birthday.

But within the walls is a woman who has called the museum home ever since its founding. Betty Hardison has been there since day one and is the last remaining of its original 20 employees.

Museum leaders say Betty’s dedication to the museum is incredible.

“She is just a fantastic example of really what has happened at the National Corvette Museum” said Kai Spande, a Board Member with the National Corvette Museum. “We started out very, very small. It’s been over 30 years now, 32 years, where we have grown this place to something that is absolutely fantastic. And to have an individual that was here right at the genesis of this museum, and still here every day working is just absolutely fantastic”.

Over those three decades, she has built lasting relationships within the Corvette community, with prominent individuals within that community, describing her as a part of their own family.

“You know, she’s always pleasant, always wonderful. She remembers your name. And, you know, she is, you know, it’s kind of like coming home to see mom, you know,” said NCM Hall of Fame inductee Werner Meier.

But Hardison is at an age where most are retired. So the question remains: what has made her stay for so long?

“The people. I just enjoy meeting all walks of life here. And of course, the Corvette people are a unique group of people. And, I just made a lot of friends, and, like to keep up with them” Hardison said.

Like all loving mothers, her support for her Corvette friends, family and fanatics is felt by all enthusiasts that meet her.

“I think, you know, Betty, I don’t think she’s a serious car person; she’s a serious people person. You know, she’s you know, she does her job very well. But what makes her so special is that she does it in a manner that she’s supporting all of us crazies with her selfless passion and giving attitude” Meier said.

Underneath that never-ending support for the museum, though, is three decades of knowledge, which has proved invaluable for the newer generations of museum employees.

“I can’t count the amount of conversations that I’ve had where we’ve hit a wall in terms of trying to figure out some history. The answer, then is go speak with Betty” said Ryan Eichler, Director of Marketing and Communications. “And again, she has the knowledge, but also she has the knowledge to go and find the answer if it doesn’t come right to her head. Which is amazing as well. I mean, that is a resource that, I mean, we’re the National Corvette Museum. We need to be able to provide that historical accuracy, that context. And so many times all those roads lead back to Betty”.

And over the years, that knowledge has been useful in many different scenarios, especially in 2014 when she was the first on the scene when a sinkhole opened up underneath the museum, swallowing multiple cars.

“When I got within about 25ft of the hole, I could see that there was a hole. And the cars were gone. And it was just an utter shock, really,” Hardison remembered.

But not even an act of God would keep Hardison away. In her 32 years, she has seen vehicular tragedies, staffing changes, museum relocations, and much more. But she always faithfully returns to her position, saying the museum and all of its people keep her going.

“It keeps me going. You know I’m over the hill, but I still have half of the same man and pretty good health. And I want to keep going as long as I can,” Hardison said.