October 2023 Journal Newsletter
We’re Hiring! Museum Services Manager
The Northeast Georgia History Center seeks a full-time Museum Services Manager to join our team. Details are available at www.negahc.org/jobs .
Farewell to Leah!
Many of you have met our wonderful Museum Services Manager, Leah. Leah will be leaving us in October as she starts a new life journey and career (and she's getting married!) She has been such a valuable team member and a joy to work with! We wish her and her future husband all the best.
Upcoming Events & Programs
Check out our upcoming events and programs in October! Members receive free admission or discounts to events throughout the year. Become a Member today.
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Have you ever wondered where the tradition of bobbing for apples originated? How about which conjuror Queen Elizabeth I trusted with her life? Or who the Bell Witch really was? Join our Collections & Archives Manager, Lesley Jones, as she delves into the spookier side of history.
Topics for this month include Medieval Ghost Stories, Appalachian Folklore, the History of Witches, the Origin of La Llarona, and more. Stay tuned and prepare to be spookified!
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Tuesday, October 10th at 7:00 PM
Presented by Dr. Thomas GreeneThe Northeast Georgia History Center is hosting its October Forum with special guest Dr. Thomas Greene, Assistant Professor at the University of North Georgia. This program is part of our “Lesley’s October Takeover” series of spooky history programs curated by our Collections & Archives Manager, Lesley Jones.
Many expect medieval people to have visions of saints, but what about the ghosts of the ordinary people? Dr. Greene will share a series of ghost stories written in the later Middle Ages about medieval encounters with spirits, reanimated corpses, and even a ghostly seal.
This event is free for Members and $5 for Non-Members. Become a Member today at www.negahc.org/member
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
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Thursday, October 19th from 10 AM - 1 PM
Free for Members!
Online Registration Required for Guaranteed Entry
Join us for our October Homeschool Day: The War of 1812 on Thursday, October 19th from 10 AM - 1 PM with living history interpreters, activity stations, and a special musical program!
The War of 1812, fought between the United States and England with Native American allies from 1812 to 1815, played a pivotal role in fostering American national identity. During this Homeschool Day, you’ll meet Dolley Madison, Francis Scott Key, and Mary Pickersgill to learn about the writing of our national anthem, the creation of the Star Spangled Banner, and national treasures saved from the White House before it was burned by the British. You'll also meet living history interpreters from Georgia's Fort Daniel (with a firing demonstration!)
This program is free for Members and regular admission for non-Members. Become a Member today at www.negahc.org/member
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
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A Members Only Program!
Members of the Northeast Georgia History Center can enjoy our series, From the Archives, in which we highlight items from the archives and the history behind them.
In part 2 of our From the Archives episode we share the story of a piece from a landmark on the square, the Dixie Hunt Hotel. The artifact is a barber chair from the basement of the hotel where the barber shop was located.Become a Member at www.negahc.org/member.
Members may visit our Members Portal to access this episode. Members also receive an emailed link. If you have any issues, please contact us at info@negahc.org.
Special Exhibit: School Days - The N.C. White Photography Collection
The Northeast Georgia History Center is debuting its last Special Exhibit theme of the N.C. White Photography Collection with historic portraitures of students spanning the 1880s-1950s.
"School Days" will feature students from Brenau College, Georgia Baptist Female Seminary, North Georgia Agricultural College, North Georgia College, and Riverside Military Academy. Artifacts like N.C. White's original camera will also be displayed during this exhibit.
The Special Exhibit will be on display through 2023.
Brought to you by:
Jack and Janice Frost Endowment
Memorial Park Funeral Homes
“Future Historian” Theme Featured in Museum Shop
During the month of October, we’re highlighting a great selection of items for folks of all ages who are interested in exploring their own family history and local history.
Stop by in person or shop online!
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With extensive examples from both historical and social science literature, this book is a practical guide to methods of recording oral history. The author provides suggestions on a range of techniques from developing a written interview guide and using tape recorders to asking probing questions during in-depth interviews and editing transcriptions. She also covers the ethical and legal issues involved in conducting life-history interviews and elaborates on three different types of oral history projects: community studies, biographies and family histories.
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Award-winning author Kathleen Krull takes an in-depth historical look at immigration in America—with remarkable stories of some of the immigrants who helped build this country.
With its rich historical text, fascinating sidebars about many immigrants throughout time, an extensive source list and timeline, as well as captivating photos, American Immigration will become a go-to resource for every child, teacher, and librarian discussing the complex history of immigration.
America is a nation of immigrants. People have come to the United States from around the world seeking a better life and more opportunities, and our country would not be what it is today without their contributions.
From writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, to scientists like Albert Einstein, to innovators like Elon Musk, this book honors the immigrants who have changed the way we think, eat, and live. Their stories serve as powerful reminders of the progress we’ve made, and the work that is still left to be done.
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"First there were the blue mountains, animals, then those humans we named "Indians." Next Spanish conquistadors and other European explorers; travelers and military scouts; white settlers on muddy, stump-strewn, rocky trails; bearded, curing gold prospectors; war and iron horses; summer visitors, the telegraph, graded roads, moonshiners and the radio. A transformation of 450 years..." (pg.1).
In this brief history of Northeast Georgia, author Carroll Proctor Scruggs explores the complex history of Habersham, Lumpkin, Rabun, towns, Union, and White Counties.
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Though little more than an afterthought these days, from the 1890s through the 1920s, postcards were by far the most popular means of communication.
Many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can be considered works of art, when postcard photographers traveled the nation coast to coast snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and taking photographic portraits of locals only too happy to pose for the camera. This fascinating history of Northeast Georgia showcases more than 200 of the best vintage postcards available; these images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, can teach us important aspects of yesteryear that we may not find in history books.
September Highlights at the History Center
Grandparents Day: Grandparents and grandchildren enjoyed a special program for Grandparents Day at the Northeast Georgia History Center with a storytime, craft, and “conversation stations” throughout the exhibits.
Homestead Day: Our first Homestead Day of the year was themed The One Room Schoolhouse and offered visitors a chance to practice their cursive writing with ink dipped pens, a lesson with slate and chalk in the White Path Cabin with Marie, and a fun time playing with historic toys and games during recess!
Homeschool Day: Our September Homeschool Day was all about the American Revolution and featured special guests like General George Washington, a Continental Soldier, Women Camp Followers, and the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution!
Forum: Our Forum in September covered the fascinating and remarkable history of the Newtown Florist Club in Gainesville with presenter Rev. Rose Johnson. Rev. Johnson is the Executive Director of the Newtown Florist Club which began informally after the 1936 tornado and developed into a non-profit that focuses on community and educational resources as well as environmental justice initiatives.
Chicopee Mill Architecture Program: Our Digital Studio Intern, Henry Rosenberger, presented at a special event hosted by the American Institute of Architects Northeast Georgia about Chicopee Mills in Gainesville.
Henry has been conducting research and oral history interviews about the mills and mill villages of Gainesville, Georgia that will culminate in a documentary in 2024. This event was focused on the architecture and landscape design of Chicopee Mill and Chicopee Village. We look forward to collaborating on the documentary project with the experts and folks we met at the event!
Not pictured but certainly worth recognizing are Tyler Kinsey and Ron Hooper. Tyler is a Digital Studio Intern on this project who has conducted research and interviews as well! Ron Hooper is a former mill employee who has researched the history of the local mills in great depth and has been a great resource and interviewee.
Volunteer of the Month: Bitzi Lacher
Our Volunteer of the Month is Bitzi Lacher who has volunteered for our family and homeschool events for several years. She has been a model in our historic fashion shows, a Station Leader during our Homeschool Day programs, and has assisted with numerous field trips and special events.
“I have missed being with children after retiring from teaching. The Northeast Georgia History Center affords me many opportunities to interact with kids of all ages and their lovely parents through homeschool days, homestead days, and field trips. It also allows me to impart my love of history and help keep it alive. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy the chance to play dress-up again?” - Bitzi Lacher
We look forward to honoring more of our great volunteers in future newsletters. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, visit www.negahc.org/volunteer.
New Small Business Memberships!
The Northeast Georgia History Center now offers Small Business Memberships for local businesses.
Our Small Business Memberships are just $300/year and include:
Two passes to share among staff
Each pass offers admission for up to 6 guests each visit to Northeast Georgia History Center exhibits & galleries
One guided tour of the Exhibit Galleries for up to 20 guests
Business name highlighted in the atrium
Business name listed in the monthly e-newsletter
Become a Small Business Member at www.negahc.org/member.
We would like to thank our first Small Business Member Blair C. Diaz CPA for their support!
Then Again Podcast
Check out the latest episodes of our podcast Then Again below. Join the History Center team as they explore history with special guest experts.
Listen now at www.thenagainpodcast.com.
Take our listener survey at this link: Then Again Listener Survey
Special Thanks
Our programs would not be possible without the support of the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center. More information on the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center: AMIEC
We would like to thank our new and renewing Partners whose contributions help sustain the Northeast Georgia History Center’s operations:
Philip & Mary Hart Wilheit
Kathy & Richard Oates
Cheryl & Jerry Vandiver
Dr. Jim Southerland