Mary Test Kimmey

Mary Test Kimmey spent a lifetime

devoted to her Westminster community. Her home at 210 East Main Street stood just

to the east of Mary Shellman’s, and the two women were great friends although Test

was more than 30 years younger. Even after Mary moved to Texas in the early 1930s,

they continued their correspondence until Mary passed away in 1938.

Test is remembered today for being instrumental in the founding of the Historical

Society of Carroll County in 1939 and its first vice-president. During World War II she

served as the Society’s museum curator and hostess. She also headed the restoration

committee, doing much of the work herself to keep down expenses. Following her

death in 1961, the Society acquired her historic home and currently uses it for

administrative offices and to house its library and gift shop. The Shriver-Weybright

Auditorium, an addition to the house in the 1960s, was the site of many social activities

before becoming a gallery and currently serving as the Historical Society’s library.

Test Kimmey was also a noted musician who played the organ and directed the choir

in the Westminster Methodist Church for more than 50 years. During World War I,

she used her musical talents at war bond rallies taking place across Carroll County. She

was honored at an event in the Westminster Hotel in 1954 for a lifetime of community