Mary Williamson Averell Harriman (1852-1932) received the Pugsley Gold Medal for her services in the establishment of the Palisades Interstate Averell to meet and marry Edward Henry Harriman. Their union was not only a private success in terms of love and devotion, it also proved to be an unmitigated success for the unlikely duo of railways and state parks. Born into prominant New York family,intellegence, gentility and respect were ingrained into Mary from an early age. Tutored at home, she completed her education at a finishing school in New York with the usual expectation that one day she would become a fine wife and mother for some young man of equal or greater social standing than the Averells.
Mary was in her late twenties when she met and married E. H. Harriman. Although his relationship with railways had yet to surface, but the time the couple to wed on August 10, 1879, the 31 year old Harriman had befun to make a name for himself as a businessman. In December, 1908, E. H had approached New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes with his offer to convey land to extend Palisades Interstate Park.