(Bayfield, Wis.) – The Bayfield Heritage Association is proud to announce Fran Swanson as the recipient of the 2025-2026 Jerry & Mary Phillips Bayfield Award for Volunteerism.
Since moving to Bayfield in 2002, Fran Swanson’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to community service have positively impacted many organizations and initiatives throughout Bayfield.
After obtaining her Master Gardener Certification and joining the local Master Gardeners group, Fran devoted countless hours to improving and caring for our community parks and public spaces. Her volunteer work at Fountain Garden Park included many years supporting its annual plant sales and participating with Wednesday Weeders. Through both her membership and service on the Civic League board, she also played an important role in efforts supporting renovations and improvements at Memorial Park.
At the Bayfield Heritage Association, Fran’s contributions run deep with her involvement reaching back to 2007. For more than a decade, she edited and designed The Courier newsletter, helping preserve, share, and celebrate the stories, history, and heritage of the Bayfield area. Her dedication continues today, as visitors can still find her as one of our weekly museum docents.
Her service extends well beyond BHA. Fran volunteered as a classroom assistant for Bayfield Schools and has long supported the Bayfield Carnegie Library through board service, book sales, the Apple Blossom Run and other numerous library activities. She has also contributed her time to Big Top Chautauqua as an usher and served on the Bayfield Golf Course Board. Additionally, Fran was among the early volunteers for Encore during its formative years at Bates Bar, helping support a program that would become an important community resource.
Through decades of steady and generous service, Fran Swanson exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that defines Bayfield. Her contributions have made a lasting impact.
The Bayfield Heritage Association extends its sincere congratulations and gratitude to Fran for her remarkable dedication to Bayfield and its community.
Join us as we celebrate Fran Swanson!
Jerry & Mary Phillips Bayfield Award for Volunteerism – Fran Swanson
When: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bayfield Heritage Association, 30 N Broad St., Bayfield, WI 54814
