May 2023 Journal Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Check out our upcoming events in May! Members receive free admission or discounts to events throughout the year. Become a Member today.
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Tuesday, May 9th at 7 PM
Special guest Brad Hasten, retired lawyer and Gainesville Reads volunteer, will show that the Enlightenment not only influenced our Founding Fathers but continues to influence the way Americans think about many of our political issues today.Admission is free for Members and $5 for non-Members. Become a Member today to enjoy free admission to programs like this and much more!
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center.
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Saturday, May 13th at 11 AM & 1 PM
The Northeast Georgia History Center cordially invites you to our Mother's Day Tea on Saturday, May 13th. The first seating will take place at 11 AM and a second seating will take place at 1 PM.
Come enjoy a variety of hot teas, sweet and savory treats, as well as a presentation on the history of High Tea with our Education Director Marie Bartlett. There will also be a tissue paper flower craft for the kids and kids at heart. After tea, enjoy exploring the History Center's exhibits, included with your ticket for tea. Our kids scavenger hunt of the galleries is also included.
Tickets are $35 per person for non-Members. Members receive a 15% discount using promo code "member." Memberships are validated after purchase.
Register Now:
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
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Thursday, May 18th from 11 AM - 1 PM
Students in our Homeschool History Club will share their love of history by portraying a historic character of their choice for visitors to our “Wax Museum” on Thursday, May 18th from 11 AM - 1 PM.
Admission to this event is free with a suggested donation of $10. Donations will go toward activities and supplies for future Homeschool Day events.
Join us for a silent auction on great prizes like a guided tour of the archives, a year-long Family Membership, a group on-site program, and more!
We’ll also share resources for homeschool families!
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From Star Destroyers to hunks of junk, join the Northeast Georgia History Center's favorite Star Wars Nerds, Glen and Matt, as they explore the starships of the galaxy!
This live stream program has become an annual tradition at the History Center since premiering our first Star Wars program back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are keeping the tradition alive with a new Star Wars topic each year, and we're grateful to Glen Kyle and Matt House for sharing their vast knowledge of the Star Wars canon with us!
Watch on YouTube at: https://youtube.com/live/INkM3JHKRSk
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Our New Gainesville Chautauqua Living History Series is back this summer! During each program, you will meet a historic figure portrayed by a professional living history interpreter. This summer we are highlighting Revolutionary Leaders of Georgia:
General James Oglethorpe
Tuesday, June 13th at 7 PM
Portrayed by Richard BurkeInterpreter & Tradeswoman Mary Musgrove
Tuesday, July 11th at 7 PM
Portrayed by Nicole CastorenoMajor-General Nathaneal Greene
Tuesday, August 8h at 7 PM
Portrayed by Dan McMichaelTickets will be available for purchase online soon!
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
Exhibit Update: Regional Schools, Colleges, and Universities
Our Collections & Archives Manager Lesley Jones recently updated our exhibit featuring regional schools, colleges, and universities. The next time you visit, you’ll see new artifacts from the archives as well as items donated by local educational institutions such as Brenau University, the University of North Georgia, and Lanier Technical College.
Some of our favorite items include a beautiful white dress worn by a Brenau student early 1900s, which was a required “uniform” for students of the time; a child’s school desk from Candler Street School in Gainesville; yearbooks spanning the early 1900s to today; and photographs of students from the local school for black students created by educator and activist Beulah Rucker!
If you have items you would like us to consider for this exhibit, we are accepting permanent donations as well as loans. Contact Lesley Jones at lesley@negahc.org.
Military History Featured in Museum Shop
During the month of May, we’re highlighting a great selection of military history books in the Museum Shop. Veterans and active service members receive a 10% discount. Stop by in person or shop online!
Band of Brothers
by Stephen E. Ambrose
“This is the story of the men who fought, of the martinet they hated who trained them well, and of the captain they loved who led them. E Company was a company of men who went hungry, froze, and died for each other, a company that took 150 percent casualties, a company where the Purple Heart was not a medal—it was a badge of office.”
Purchase Now $11.97
WWII Survivor
by Gordon Sawyer
“Author Gordon Sawyer tells the incredible story of an American sailor, Richard Kidder, who found himself with a front row seat in the Philippines as World War II exploded in the Pacific.”
Purchase Now $9.00
One Hell of a Ride: A Memoir
by Edmund F. Jared
“Ed Jared served America as a pilot in World War II; he was part of the China, Burma, India Hump operation, flying over the Himalayas to supply troops in China. Ed Jared's memoir is a national and personal history, a fascinating story and a primer for how to succeed in business and live a good life.”
Purchase Now $15.00
So You Want to be a Leader?
by Dr. James H. Benson, Sr. Colonel, USMC (Ret)
“Much of the narrative herein deals with personal experience and observations in over 26 years as an officer of the U.S. Marines, but I also call on experience, observations, and readings in the fields of business, academics, higher education, and athletics. The ideas and principles here are just as applicable to the small business entrepreneur, corporate CEO, or Baptist minister as to the young U.S. Army lieutenant or high school basketball coach.”
Purchase Now $6.00
A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman
by Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Dryden USAF (Ret)
“Under the command of Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the Tuskegee airmen fought over North Africa, Sicily, and Europe, escorting American bomber crews who respected their "no-losses" record. Some were shot down, many of them were killed or captured by the enemy, and several won medals of valor and honor. But the airmen still faced great barriers of racial prejudice in the armed forces and at home. As a member of that elite group of young pilots who fought for their country overseas while being denied civil liberties at home, Dryden presents an eloquent story that will touch each and every reader.”
Purchase Now $15.60
Staff Thrift & Antique Finds
The History Center staff will often find themselves at local antique and thrift shops on the hunt for special items of the past. And sometimes we find great items for the History Center’s educational programs! Here are a few great finds from our Interim Executive Director Libba Beaucham on a recent “treasure hunt” in Athens, Georgia.
A piece of fabric with sewn letters that read “Twinkle twinkle little” beside sewn stars. Also sewn is “Ana age 8 1854.” This is a wonderful way to share the skills that young girls would learn in the 19th century. It also connects children to the past with the familiar refrain of “twinkle twinkle little star,” a song first written as a poem in 1806 by Jane Taylor.
Sheet music from the era of World War I titled There’s a Light Shining Bright in the Window Tonight by C. Arthur Pfeifer. Displayed on the front cover is a window with a blue star flag. These flags were hung in the windows of families who had men serving in the war.
A 1940s “Travel Guide of Negro Hotels & Guest Houses” published by Afro-American Newspapers to assist black travelers in finding safe and welcoming places to stay and visit.
If you have an item you would like us to consider for a donation or loan, please email Lesley Jones at lesley@negahc.org.
Letters from Students
We were so touched to receive letters from students who visited for our Civil War field trip last week! Students also offered their comments as Guada, our Media Producer, asked students what they liked most about the experience:
“I think it was amazing, I really had a good challenge with the scavenger hunt and it has that tweak where you can learn and have fun at the same time, that’s what I want in a place like this.” Johnny
"My experience was amazing, and I really loved it.” Dylan
"It was great! I loved it!" Eva
"I think it was really cool and cool that they know all this information and stuff.” Andy
Staff Work Anniversaries
We are celebrating FOUR staff work anniversaries in May! Here are a few reflections from Lesley, Marie, Leah, and Guada:
Lesley Jones, Collections & Archives Manager
Celebrating 5 Years at the Northeast Georgia History Center
“I started an internship at the History Center in May of 2018 and continued to intern and volunteer in various tasks such as social media, front desk, interpretation, research, curation, and collections. For the past two years, I have worked mostly behind the scenes ensuring the exhibits and artifacts within the museum are well taken care of while creating a solid foundation for the internship program. I am proud to be a part of the amazing staff and love my job more each day. I can't wait to see what the future holds!”
Marie Bartlett, Director of the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
Celebrating 3 Years at the Northeast Georgia History Center
“Working at the History Center has been a wonderful experience. I love that I get to bring history to life for students, families, Members, and visitors through our educational programs. I even get to work with my husband, Steven, when he conducts blacksmithing demonstrations and living history interpretation! I’m looking forward to more special events like our historic fashion show, high tea programs, and dance lesson programs.”
Leah Jarrett, Museum Services Manager
Celebrating 1 Year at the Northeast Georgia History Center
“Though I have been around the History Center as an intern since the Spring of 2020, it has been a year since I joined the team as the Museum Services Manager. Working here has been such a wonderful experience, both for my professional and personal development. I am very thankful that our previous Executive Director, Glen Kyle, took a chance on me after my college graduation and invited me into this incredibly creative and genuinely kind team. This year, I look forward to contributing to the Northeast Georgia History Center’s primary objective of serving as an approachable conduit between our community and the past.”
Guada Rodriguez, Media Producer
Celebrating 1 Year at the Northeast Georgia History Center
“I love that there are always opportunities for me to learn. Given that I don't have a background in history, I really get to learn alongside every student or parent that visits for field trips, homeschool days, and family days. I look forward to our projects, just finding ways to connect those dots of Georgia history and the history of the community of Gainesville.”
Oral History Project: The Mills of Gainesville
We are working on a great oral history project with our Digital Studio Interns and the help of researcher and former Gainesville Mill employee Ron Hooper. We are currently seeking folks who worked at or had family who worked at any of Gainesville’s mills (Gainesville Mill, Chicopee Mill, and New Holland Mill.) This project will document the experiences of mill workers and those who lived in the mill villages as well as explore the impact of the mills on Gainesville’s economy and growth since the early 1900s.
Our Digital Studio Interns are Henry Rosenberger and Tyler Kinsey, both film students at the University of North Georgia. Henry and Tyler have been working with Ron Hooper who has conducted great research on the mills of Gainesville.
We look forward to sharing updates with you! For now, if you have any recommendations about who we should interview, please email Libba at libba@negahc.org.
Gainesville Reads Accepting New Tutors
We currently accepting new volunteer tutors for our free children’s program, Gainesville Reads, for students in 1st-5th grade who need extra support in literacy skills. Tutors meet with the same student each week to help them build confidence in their reading skills through fun activities, reading books together, and worksheets that address specific challenges of the student. Training and curriculum is provided.
We are seeking new tutors for Fall 2023 so that we can serve even more deserving students in our community.
Details at www.negahc.org/gainesvillereads.
Then Again Podcast
Check out the latest episodes of our podcast Then Again below!
Chainmail is most often associated with the armor of old, but in today's episode, we're joined by artist and jeweler Dave Cain who has taken this ancient art form into the world of jewelry. Learn about the intricate and intensive process of creating chainmail armor and jewelry, the history behind this artisan craft, and the nuances of Dave Cain's work.
Check out Dave's jewelry at www.davecain.com
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 also like to thank our Partners whose support sustains the History Center’s operations.