Longtime Perry industrialist and philanthropist Lee Wiese will be inducted next Wednesday as the newest figure on the Wall of Witnesses in Soumas Court, Hometown Heritage at the Carnegie Library Museum announced Wednesday.
Wiese and his wife, Irene Wiese, influenced many Perry lives by their actions and words.
“Lee Wiese was Perry’s most significant philanthropist of the last 75 years,” the Hometown Heritage announcement said. “The Perry community is still benefiting from all his contributions to the economic and cultural significance of Perry. Many places hold Wiese’s name, such as Wiese Park and the building that the Perry Public Library is housed in: the Wiese Building.”
Through an open nomination process, nominees for the Wall of Witnesses honor must meet three criteria: The nominee must have had a tie to Perry. He or she must have had an impact on the area. The nominee must have an interesting story.
The committee reviewed all nominations and selected this figure from Perry as best reflecting the nomination criteria.
The Wall of Witnesses bas relief will be unveiled Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. in Soumas Court. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light refreshment after the unveiling, and the artist of the relief, Rick Stewart, will be present.
