January Journal Newsletter
NEGAHC 2nd Annual Telethon
Well, friends, here we are again at the end of another year... I would say "historic" year, but aren't all years historic? The last couple of years, however, have certainly brought forces into play that have affected us all. We've lost two board members to COVID this year, Jackie Cooley and Jack Frost, and they are dearly missed. Like everyone else we've had our struggles, but the History Center has come through stronger than ever. We finally had our held-over Taste of History honoring some amazing local women and celebrating the 19th Amendment. We've seen the return of school groups to the History Center for tours, Family Days live and in-person, and our virtual offerings have become more popular than ever. We celebrated the acquisition of the amazing photographic collection of N.C. White (and an exhibit to boot!). Our supporters and donors have made all the difference in 2021. Funding from the Ada Mae Ivester Education Endowment, the Cottrell Foundation, and the all-new Jack & Janice Frost Endowment have provided core funding to our mission.
But there are two assets that have made this year a remarkable success. The first is the staff that I have here with me: Libba, Marie, Lesley, Diana, Ruth, CJ, and Andrews. These people know how to make all the magic happen, and the History Center would not even be here if it wasn't for all they do. The second, however, is YOU, our members, our viewers, our supporters, our fans. Without you folks who enjoy learning about history, we'd have no reason to exist; but because you ARE here, and because you believe in what we do, 2021 has proved to be our best year ever... and, it seems, the best is yet to come!
Happy Holidays!
Glen Kyle, Executive Director
January “Mini-Docs”
Our virtual programs, formerly known as “livestreams,” will now be called “mini-docs” as we are essentially producing short documentaries for our audiences. Check out the full lineup of mini-docs for January below! To gain access to our Members Mini-Docs, you can become a local Member or Digital Member at www.negahc.org/member.
Welcome, Paula!
We are excited to announce our new Museum Operations Coordinator for the History Center, Paula Lindner! You might recognize Paula from her amazing work at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center. Paula is also a graduate of Brenau University! She is a great addition to the History Center team, and we are so lucky to have her with us. Lesley Jones, the previous Museum Operations Coordinator, moved to a full-time position as Archives and Collections Manager for the History Center and will continue working on the N.C. White Collection.
Christmas on Green Street Parade
The History Center was excited to march in the Christmas on Green Street Parade this year! Since 1968, the Hall County Historical Society has been putting on the Christmas on Green Street Parade to celebrate and bring attention to the history of Green Street and Gainesville. To celebrate the bicentennial of Gainesville we all dressed in different era's of Gainesville's history. Thank you to our wonderful staff and volunteers who walked with us!
December Family Day: A Christmas Carol
Our December Family Day, themed after Charles Dickens classic tale A Christmas Carol, was one of the most successful and well attended family days the Northeast Georgia History Center has produced! We had 208 people come through our doors for the event, and over 100 of those guests were at our mid day Christmas Songs, Carols, and Tales program where children volunteered from the audience to help us reenact that fateful night when Scrooge was visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. A variation of the dance mentioned in the Christmas Carol was also taught by Kat Nagar of Atlanta Historic Dance. Everyone so enjoyed getting to learn historic dance, make holiday cards, have their photos made with Santa, make their own dreidels, taste Victorian Christmas treats, and learn about the origins of the Christmas tree.
Gainesville Reads in 2021
We are so proud of all of our Gainesville Reads students and grateful for their wonderful tutors! We have had much to celebrate since beginning in August. Students have worked hard to "level up" their skills in Lexia, a fun and interactive literacy game. Tutors and students have read many stories from non-fiction books about space, sharks, and history to silly adventures with the beloved Piggy and Elephant books. Our students have also toured the History Center exhibits!
Here are just a few of the sweet comments we have received from parents this year:
"Bailee Rae has worked very hard this year and we have seen progress. I want to share a huge thank you to each of you! Your patience with these kids in this virtual setting is unbelievable and we are forever grateful for each of you and this program!"
"Angel has improved a lot since he started this program. Thank you so much for your work to help the children."
"We are so enjoying this program. Savannah has significantly improved with her word attack skills and confidence in reading. So we do appreciate the sponsorship of this program and the care and enthusiasm you guys put into it!"
"We are so incredibly grateful for this program and your support!"
We have spots available for volunteer tutors beginning in January 2022! Come join the fun and help a local child strengthen their reading skills. Details at www.negahc.org/gainesvillereads
Homeschool Connection in 2021
It is hard to believe that our fall semester of Homeschool Connection is over already! This year we have been learning about World History. We started with the stone age, and in our last lesson of the semester, we covered the crusades with a special time traveling lesson. Our class traveled back in time to medieval Jerusalem to meet with a knight from the order of hospitaller. Next semester we will begin by learning about the Renaissance and continue through history to the modern day.
In the slideshow, you’ll see moments from a variety of lessons featuring cultures from all over the world.
Then Again Podcast
In our latest episode: Reconstruction in Georgia lasted form the end of the civil war to 1871 when a democratic government was able to regain control and end the military occupation of the state. The main goals of reconstruction were unification and emancipation. How well did Georgia meet these goals? Find out as Marie talks to Dr. Ann Tucker of the University of North Georgia who specializes in the history of the nineteenth century in US South.
Listen Now at www.thenagainpodcast.com!
If you enjoy this podcast, you may be interested in Dr. Tuckers book Reconciliation after Civil Wars: Global Perspectives. This book includes a section on the American Civil War titled, “To 'Heal the Wounded Spirit': Former Confederates' International Perspective on Reconstruction and Reconciliation.”
New N.C. White Exhibit Theme
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!
