June Journal Newsletter
Summer Chautauqua: Southern Writers
Our Summer Chautauqua series is back! This year we are celebrating Southern writers Sidney Lanier, Zora Neale Hurston, and Flannery O’Connor.
During our first living history performance, you will meet 19th-century Georgia poet, composer, and novelist Sidney Lanier portrayed by professional actor Kevin Moxley.
Lanier was known for his musical style of poetry and his mastery of meter and form. Many of his works reflect on the corrupting effect of materialism and the glorification of nature.
This event is free for Members. Non-Member tickets are $5 each cash or card at the door.
Our Zora Neale Hurtson program will take place on July 12th and our Flannery O’Connor program will take place on August 9th.
June Mini-Docs
We have lots of great virtual programs coming up for both Members and the public!
View our entire lineup of events at www.negahc.org/events.
To gain access to our weekly Members Mini-Docs, you can become a local Member or Digital Member at www.negahc.org/member.
Gainesville Reads Celebrations
We are so proud of our Gainesville Reads students! We celebrated their progress this year with a fun celebration. Each of our volunteer tutors presented their student with a certificate and shared the progress their student made throughout the year. Our graduating fifth graders were honored as well, some of whom have been in Gainesville Reads since it began in 2020!
Parents shared with us the progress they have seen in their child and what Gainesville Reads has meant to them:
“Thank you so much! Kayden began at a 3rd grade reading level and is now reading at an 8th grade level!”
“The Gainesville Reads program is helping to encourage and empower young children to read. Reading is a critical skill to learn early and opens a world of opportunities for these children. Intervening in the younger grades when a child is struggling to read has been proven most effective in closing reading gaps and building a successful reader.”
“I personally love this program because I saw an increase in academic performance, retention, and personal growth in my children during our weekly sessions throughout the year.”
“Jaylen improved in his reading level at school and became more excited about reading. Isaac became a very good reader and was 3rd in his 2nd grade class in reading. Both have grown and Lexia is really helping them grow.”
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor for Gainesville Reads, you can apply online at www.negahc.org/gainesvillereads.
Spring Semester Digital Programs
During the Spring semester of 2022, we conducted 66 Webcasts and served over 3,400 students! Webcasts are live Zoom programs in which students meet a historic character or have a lesson with a historian. Popular historic characters include Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, Juliette Gordon Low, Sacagawea, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Our total Webcasts for all of 2021 was 86, which leads us to believe that we will once again break our Webcast record this Fall! Webcasts are free for all Georgia teachers and homeschool groups thanks to the Cottrell Digital Studio. Interested in booking a Webcast for your group? Contact Libba Beaucham at libba@negahc.org.
Our YouTube channel has also seen great growth this Spring! So far we have had 48,465 video views and 218 new Subscribers. If you have not subscribed to our YouTube channel yet, please do at bit.ly/negahcyoutube.
Welcoming New Research Interns
We’d like to welcome our new Remote Research Interns who are conducting research for our Member Mini-Docs!
Kate Chenault who is conducting research for our Member Mini-Docs! Kate is a sophomore at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. She is double majoring in museum studies and visual and performing arts with the intention of going to graduate school for her doctorate in art history. She wants to be a museum curator when she has completed her education. Kate lives in Chicago during the summer when she is not at school. She sings in her school's choir and is on the executive board of Walsh University's Student Government. In her free time, Kate enjoys reading and writing fantasy and dystopian fiction, playing chess, and learning Italian on Duolingo.
Kate is currently researching the history of traditional folk pottery in the Southeast.
Mariah Clark is currently in university studying history with a minor in art history, hoping to one day become a professor. Mariah wanted to intern at the History Center for experience and to learn more about what it would be like to work in a museum environment. Some of her hobbies include historical tailoring, traveling internationally, collecting comics, and playing tabletop games with friends.
Mariah is currently researching Jewish culture in colonial Savannah, Georgia.
Kate Chenault
Mariah Clark
Then Again Podcast
In our latest episode of Then Again:
In this episode, Glen talks with Heather Shores, Executive Director of the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home to learn about one of the most important, and most undeservedly maligned Cherokee in history, Major Ridge. Warrior, businessman, diplomat, and Councilman, Ridge was at the center of tribal life and politics for decades and played a leading role in the Treaty of New Echota... a role that led to his assassination.
Visit the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home website to learn more! www.chieftainsmuseum.org
Listen now at www.thenagainpodcast.com!
Summer Camp Registration Is Open!
This summer we’re hosting a virtual history camp and a one-day Georgia history camp!
During our Discover Georgia History day camp on June 17th, students will learn about the history of Georgia from its beginning as a colony to now through hands-on activities and historic character portrayals.
Our virtual summer camp is The American Revolution. Students will explore this eras of history through Zoom lessons, hands-on activities, recipes, and historic character portrayals.
Details at www.negahc.org/summer.
From the Newspaper Archives
In 1902, there was a sharp increase in smallpox cases across the United States, and Gainesville, Georgia was one of the affected communities. Over 72,000 people in the U.S. contracted smallpox in 1902. While there was a decline by 1904, smallpox cases would soar to over 110,000 in the U.S. by 1920.
The Gainesville Eagle and the Georgia Cracker newspaper archives include articles and commentary from locals that give us an insight to the smallpox problem in Gainesville.
When someone contracted smallpox, they were to put up a yellow flag at their home to warn others.
“For the protection of others, the yellow flag was put up as soon as Dr. Smith pronounced it smallpox.” - Gainesville Eagle 1901
Vaccinations were apparently mandated as one article states, “Ollie Hughes, Ed Bray, W. M. Adams, and J. B. Jones were before Mayor Parker last Saturday afternoon, charged with refusing to be vaccinated and acting disorderly…Cases were made against them and they were fined $5 and costs each. Just before their trials came up they were vaccinated, at their request, by Dr. E. P. Ham.”
Medical misinformation was also a problem in 1903 with articles like this one from the Gainesville Eagle stating, “…lettuce is a sure and absolute preventive of smallpox…It is a thousand times better than vaccination…anyone who eats lettuce daily will not catch smallpox whether he be vaccinated or not.”
In the social column of the Georgia Cracker, one citizen said in 1902, “Procrastination sometimes means small pox. Better be vaccinated now.”
Thanks to mass vaccination efforts around the world, smallpox was eradicated in 1979.
Annual Taste of History
We are pleased to announce our 2022 Annual Taste of History Fundraiser!
This year we'll be honoring four Pillars of the Community, two individuals and two businesses: John Burd, E.E. Butler, Carroll Daniel Construction, and The Norton Agency. Each of these have contributed greatly to Gainesville and Hall County by their vision, their service, and their commitment to improving the quality of life throughout our region.
More details will follow in the coming months, as well as articles spotlighting each of our honorees, but in the meantime mark your calendars!
Sponsorships are available, email glen@negahc.org for more information.
Special Thanks
May Journal Newsletter
Free Admission for Mothers on Mother’s Day!
The History Center is offering all mothers free admission on Sunday, May 8th from 1-5 PM. Explore 10,000 years of our region’s rich history through our exhibits, artifacts, the White Path Cabin, and the N.C. White Studio Collection!
Did you know? Mothers Day became an official US holiday in 1914 under President Woodrow Wilson. The holiday was advocated for since 1905 by Anna Jarvis who campaigned for the holiday after her mother passed away. Anna Jarvis said a day honoring mothers should be made official because a mother is, “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”
May Mini-Docs
We have lots of great virtual programs coming up for both Members and the public! To gain access to our weekly Members Mini-Docs, you can become a local Member or Digital Member at www.negahc.org/member.
Upcoming Virtual Programs
Members Mini-Doc: The Yazoo Land Fraud
Friday, May 6th at 2 PM ET
Forum - Not Quite Smooth as Silk: Georgia’s First Industry
Not Quite Smooth as Silk: Georgia’s First Industry
Tuesday, May 10th at 7 PM at the History Center
When the Georgia Colony was founded in 1732, one goal was that it could supply luxury goods, namely wines and silks, that were expensive or difficult to import to Britain from other European or Asian countries. As we all know, it took nearly 3 centuries for the Georgia wine industry to take off, but one export that never really got going was silk. Learn the how, and why, of Georgia's ill-fated attempts at silk production with Dr. Bryan Sorohan, Professor of Education from Brenau University.
$5 or Free for Members.
322 Academy Street NE Gainesville, GA 30501
Thank You Hall County Quilt Guild!
We had a wonderful Saturday event at the History Center on April 30th with the Hall County Quilt Guild. Visitors learned about the history of quilting, enjoyed a quilting demonstration, and viewed beautiful historic quilts on display dating back to the 1850s!
Then Again Podcast
In our latest episode of Then Again:
Dr. Craig Pascoe joins Glen to discuss the historic origins of barbecue, the varieties and methods that have evolved, and a new directory of mom & pop BBQ joints you should check out! Dr. Pascoe is a Professor of History at Georgia College in Milledgeville and has also assisted in creating the Georgia BBQ trails website: ww.georgiabbqtrails.com
Listen now at www.thenagainpodcast.com!
Summer Camp Registration Is Open!
This summer we’re hosting two virtual history camps and a one-day Georgia history camp!
During our Discover Georgia History day camp on June 17th, students will learn about the history of Georgia from its beginning as a colony to now through hands-on activities and historic character portrayals.
We’re offering two virtual summer camps this year: The Civil War and The American Revolution. Students will explore these eras of history through Zoom lessons, hands-on activities, recipes, and historic character portrayals.
Details at www.negahc.org/summer.
From the Newspaper Archives
The Arlington was a grand hotel located on Main Street in downtown Gainesville, Georgia from 1882 to the 1920s. It was renamed the Dixie-Hunt Hotel in the 1920s, and in 1936 it suffered significant damage from the ‘36 tornado. The Dixie-Hunt Hotel was rebuilt, and today the location is home to the Dixie Hunt Building.
The Arlington was the first hotel on the Gainesville square making it a lively place for visitors as well as residents. In newspapers from the early 1900s, reports were made of young people enjoying dances, politicians meeting in the parlors, brides and grooms getting married, a barber shop being opened in the hotel, celebrations with a live orchestra, and visits from traveling doctors among other interesting events.
The next time you pass the Dixie Hunt Building, be sure to remember the Arlington!
Arlington Hotel in 1925. Source: Digital Library of Georgia
Annual Taste of History
We are pleased to announce our 2022 Annual Taste of History Fundraiser!
This year we'll be honoring four Pillars of the Community, two individuals and two businesses: John Burd, E.E. Butler, Carroll Daniel Construction, and The Norton Agency. Each of these have contributed greatly to Gainesville and Hall County by their vision, their service, and their commitment to improving the quality of life throughout our region.
More details will follow in the coming months, as well as articles spotlighting each of our honorees, but in the meantime mark your calendars!
Sponsorships are available, email glen@negahc.org for more information.
Special Thanks
April Journal Newsletter
Welcome, Guada!
We are thrilled to welcome a new addition to the History Center team! Guada Rodriguez Sanchez is our new Media Producer who assists in all operations of the Cottrell Digital Studio.
Guada is a graduate of the University of North Georgia and is a young professional with a passion for multimedia. Some of her hobbies include running, photography, and exploring Georgia one weekend at a time. She has worked professionally with Public Broadcasting Atlanta and as the Public Relations Associate for the Department Head of Communication, Media, and Journalism at UNG. She is incredibly grateful to be part of a team that is both passionate about history and the sharing of knowledge. She’s excited that she gets to learn something new every day and that her creative thoughts are always welcome.
Guada Rodriguez Sanchez joins the History Center team as a Media Producer
April Mini-Docs
We have lots of great “mini-documentaries” coming up for both Members and the public! Check out the lineup of mini-docs for April here.
To gain access to our Members Mini-Docs, you can become a local Member or Digital Member at www.negahc.org/member.
Forums Are Back!
Liberty or Death: Georgia and the Texas Revolution
Tuesday, April 11th at 7 PM at the History Center
Fresh from the plains of Texas, Executive Director Glen Kyle will explore the role Georgia and her citizens played in the founding of Texas... and that role was extremely significant! Soldiers, heroes, martyrs, and even the Texas flag came from our great state to help a new republic rise. Presented by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center.
$5 or Free for Members.
322 Academy Street NE Gainesville, GA 30501
Free Family Day: The Civil War
Join us for our free Family Day event on Sunday, April 10th from 1-4 PM about the American Civil War with living history interpretation, weapons demonstrations, hands-on activities, and more!
This program will cover diverse experiences of the war such as nurses, soldiers, camp followers, life on the homefront both in the North and South, and the African-American experience.
The History Center’s regular exhibits will also be available to enjoy for free during this event including its latest exhibit The Fadeless Photographer which features beautiful portraits of Gainesville citizens spanning 1900-1940 taken by professional photographer N.C. White.
This event is free thanks to the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center.
Then Again Podcast
In our latest episode of Then Again: Dr. Marianne Holdzkom joins host Marie Bartlett (née Walker) to review the historical accuracy and interpretation of well-known films, musicals, TV shows, and miniseries that feature the American Revolution. Dr. Holdzkom is an Associate Professor of History at Kennesaw State University who specializes in Colonial and Revolutionary U.S. History as well as the History of U.S. Religion and Culture.
Be sure to keep a lookout for Dr. Holdzkom's upcoming book Monuments Will Never Be Erected to Me: John Adams in History and Memory.
Summer Camp Registration Is Open!
This summer we’re hosting two virtual history camps and a one-day Georgia history camp!
During our Discover Georgia History day camp on June 17th, students will learn about the history of Georgia from its beginning as a colony to now through hands-on activities and historic character portrayals.
We’re offering two virtual summer camps this year: The Civil War and The American Revolution. Students will explore these eras of history through Zoom lessons, hands-on activities, recipes, and historic character portrayals.
Details at www.negahc.org/summer.
From the Archives
This month’s From the Archives is a poster and program from The Great Wallenda event at Tallulah Gorge on July 18th, 1970. Karl Wallenda was a German-American high wire artist who began performing with his family at the age of six and dedicated his life to daredevil acts.
During his “skywalk” across Tallulah Gorge in 1970, an estimated 30,000 people attended to watch the 65-year-old Wallenda successfully cross the 1/4 mile distance across the gorge.
Wallenda would go on to break the world record for skywalk distance with a 1,800 foot crossing at Kings Island. His record was broken in 2008 by his great-grandson, Nik Wallenda, who crossed 2,000 feet at Kings Island.
Karl Wallenda died in 1978 at the age of 73 while attempting to cross the distance between two ten-story buildings in Puerto Rico. High winds and an apparently improperly secured wire were blamed for his loss of balance and deadly fall.
Karl Wallenda amazed many across the world during his thrilling lifetime, and his daring feat across Tallulah Gorge is a memory that many hold to this day.
Wallenda was known for saying, “Being on the tightrope is living; everything else is waiting.”
Karl Wallenda crossing Tallulah Gorge on July 18th, 1970
New Portraits in the N.C. White Exhibit
The Fadeless Photographer exhibit will debut new portraits beginning this month that will focus on military service members. These beautiful photographs will be seen for the first time in decades. You may even recognize a family member!
The Fadeless Photographer exhibit features the stunning portrait photography by N.C. White who was a local photographer in Gainesville, Georgia during the 1900s-1940s. The Northeast Georgia History Center has thousands of glass negatives from N.C. White’s original studio. Throughout the year, new photographs will be debuted in this exhibit.
Visit the exhibit anytime during our regular hours Wednesday - Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM and Sunday 1-5 PM.
Anniversary of the 1936 Tornado
April 6th of the this year marks 86 years since Gainesville, Georgia was ravaged by the fifth deadliest tornado in U.S. history. In A City Laid Waste by W.M. Brice, you will discover personal stories through interviews, historic photographs of the wreckage and impact on citizens, and more.
This book is sold exclusively through the Northeast Georgia History Center. You may purchase your copy online at the link below or at our museum shop.
Purchase online: bit.ly/citylaidwaste
Special Thanks
March Journal Newsletter
March Family Day: Medicine Medieval to Modern
Our next free Family Day event will explore the history of medicine from medieval times to today on Sunday, March 13th from 1-4 PM. Visitors will learn about early medical practices and tools, traditional medicinal herbs, the role of wartime nurses, and what a visit to an 18th-century physician would have been like. The History Center’s regular exhibits, including the 18th-century White Path Cabin, will also be free to view!
Executive Director Glen Kyle adds, “with the remarkable capabilities of modern medicine, we sometimes think of healthcare in the past as comparatively very primitive; in some ways, of course, it was, but in other ways it could be surprisingly effective and sometimes bears amazing resemblances to what we have today. We’ll be exploring the differences AND the similarities at this exciting event.”
This free event is made possible by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center.
March “Mini-Docs”
We have lots of great “mini-documentaries” coming up for both Members and the public! Check out the lineup of mini-docs for March here.
To gain access to our Members Mini-Docs, you can become a local Member or Digital Member at www.negahc.org/member.
Then Again Podcast’s 100th Episode!
In honor of our 100th podcast episode (wow!), Johnny Vardeman shares his experience and insight researching and writing about Gainesville, Georgia's history. Johnny Vardeman is a retired Editor of The Gainesville Times who currently writes a fascinating local history column for the newspaper. Join Glen and Johnny as they reflect on Gainesville's past and the events that have made Gainesville the city it is today.
Listen now at www.thenagainpodcast.com!
Time Traveling Through Webcasts
The Cottrell Digital Studio has reached hundreds of students already in 2022 through live Webcasts. During a live Webcast, students can meet historic characters and even ask them questions! During the month of February, we time traveled to meet Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, a WWII Soldier, a Civil War Soldier & Nurse, Juliette Gordon Low, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr., and Benjamin Franklin.
Webcasts are free to all Georgia schools and homeschool groups. Out-of-state groups can schedule a Webcast for a donation of their choosing. Details at www.negahc.org/digital.
Telethon Rewards Update
If you donated to the NEGAHC 2nd Annual Telethon and responded to our rewards e-mail, your goodies should be arriving soon! Paula and Lesley have worked together to put together all rewards packages and have mailed them to each donor. If you have not received your goodies in the mail by the end of March, please e-mail Lesley, lesley@negahc.org.
Raffle winners have also been notified and prizes will be mailed out ASAP.
Thank you again to all of those who helped us reach our goal. We cannot wait for December when we can join you again for our 3rd Annual Telethon!
Summer Camp Registration Is Open!
This summer we’re hosting two virtual history camps and a one-day Georgia history camp!
During our Discover Georgia History day camp on June 17th, students will learn about the history of Georgia from its beginning as a colony to now through hands-on activities and historic character portrayals.
We’re offering two virtual summer camps this year: The Civil War and The American Revolution. Students will explore these eras of history through Zoom lessons, hands-on activities, recipes, and historic character portrayals.
Details at www.negahc.org/summer.
From the Archives
This month’s From the Archives is a program for the 1978 Gainesville High School Football Banquet. In the 1920s, an announcer at the Gainesville High School football game exclaimed that the team came out onto the field looking like a "herd of red elephants." GHS' mascot became the brightly-colored elephant you see today.
While we have many programs in our archives from Gainesville High School, this is one is in the best condition. During the 1970s, the team was 8-AAA East Sub-Region Champion, 8-AAA Region Champions, and Sectional Champions. Today, Gainesville High School is AAAAA and winner of the GHSA Championship in 2012.
On the menu at the banquet: Fried Chicken, Au Gratin Potatoes, Green Beans with Almonds, Relish Tray, Fruit Tray, Hot Rolls and Apple Pie.
N.C. White Exhibit
The N.C. White exhibit is now open to the public! We love hearing the stories of visitors who come in to see if they recognize a familiar face. We have over 80 photographs of people from Northeast Georgia that need to be identified within the exhibit. Stop by the History Center today and see if you can help us learn more about these men and women!
Special Thanks
February Journal Newsletter
NEGAHC 2021 Review
We are excited to share the success of our programs, events, exhibits, and more in our 2021 Review of the Northeast Georgia History Center. Our community of supporters, Members, visitors, viewers, and teachers made 2021 a year of significant growth and joy!
February “Mini-Docs”
We have lots of great “mini-documentaries” coming up for both Members and the public! Check out the lineup of mini-docs for February here.
To gain access to our Members Mini-Docs, you can become a local Member or Digital Member at www.negahc.org/member.
We’re Hiring!
The History Center is hiring! We are seeking a part-time Media Producer to assist the Director of the Cottrell Digital Studio in all aspects of digital programming and social media. This is an exciting time to join our team as we grow our digital programs and online presence. Please share if you know someone who might be interested!
Details at www.negahc.org/jobs.
Free Family Day: The War of 1812
We had a fantastic time with visitors during our free Family Day exploring the War of 1812 through living history, hands-on activities, a pop-up exhibit, and more! Visitors learned about the soldier’s experience, the creation of the Star Spangled Banner, what life was like on the homefront during the war, how Dolly Madison saved George Washington’s portrait when the British burned the White House, and much more!
Our next Family Day will explore medicine from medieval times to the present day. Join us on Sunday, March 13th from 1-4 PM!
Telethon Rewards Final Update
Attention all NEGAHC 2nd Annual Telethon Donors! We are ready to mail out all your rewards and need your help. Due to a technical glitch, we do not have the information to send out the proper goodies. If you donated to the telethon and would like your rewards, please check your email and contact Lesley at lesley@negahc.org by February 28th. Thank you again for all of your support!
Homeschool Connection
Our Homeschool Connection World History students have been having a blast learning about the past every Tuesday afternoon. In January the students in our World History Homeschool Connection Course learned about the Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, Age of Exploration, Enlightenment, and Scientific Revolution. Ms. Marie and friends teach the lesson and then the class has a fun time playing a Kahoot! Quiz at the end of session. The students love playing Kahoot! because they have fun interacting with one another and it is a good way to review what they learned.
2021: A Year in Photos
Let us take a moment and look back at 2021 and all the fun we had at the History Center! Here is to another safe, happy, and educational year together.
Then Again Podcast
The Civil War had a profound impact on American society in every way, including the environment and the way Americans viewed nature. Join Marie Walker as she interviews Dr. Brian Drake, senior lecturer at the University of Georgia, who specializes in environmental history. Environmental History is a discipline that explores the interactions of humans with the natural world, the active role that nature plays in shaping human history, and vice versa. As we look at the environment of the civil war we come to understand it in new ways.
If you enjoyed this podcast you may be interested in The Blue, the Gray, and the Green: Toward an Environmental History of the Civil War, edited by Dr. Brian Drake and published by UGA Press.
N.C. White Exhibit
The N.C. White exhibit is now open to the public! We love hearing the stories of visitors who come in to see if they recognize a familiar face. We have over 80 photographs of people from Northeast Georgia that need to be identified within the exhibit. Stop by the History Center today and see if you can help us learn more about these men and women!