October 2022 Journal Newsletter
Meet the Author: John Pruitt
The History Center is pleased to host award-winning Georgia journalist John Pruitt as he discusses his newest novel, Tell It True, a story based on actual events that he covered as a reporter for WSB-TV.
An African-American serviceman is gunned down on a rural Georgia road in July 1964. This shocking murder ensnares a wide range of characters including the journalists who cover it, the lawmen who must solve it, the civil rights leaders who capitalize upon it, the politicians who exploit it, and the Atlanta magnate who fears its impact on the New South image he desperately wants to protect.
TV cameraman Gil Matthews and AP reporter Mindy Williams team up to follow the twists and turns of the murder investigation as rural, state, and federal lawmen clash, a civil rights leader fends off a black power challenger, and voters take sides in a governor’s race pitting virulent racist Roscoe Pike against moderate underdog Harrison Parker. TELL IT TRUE focuses on the challenges faced by journalists as they covered a societal revolution and brought dramatic and sometimes violent scenes night after night to TV screens around the world.
TELL IT TRUE takes us to a time and place where the future of the South hung in the balance. Veteran journalist John Pruitt bases the story on his experiences over fifty years as a news reporter and anchor in Atlanta.
“There were many momentous stories I covered during my career, but none of the magnitude of the struggle for racial equality in the South.”
Readers will no doubt recognize elements of that time of troubles that are still with us today.
This special event will be held at the History Center's Ada Mae Ivester Education Center on October 27 at 7 pm.
This event is FREE for Members of the Northeast Georgia History Center. Tickets are $5 for non-Members. Seating is limited, so please order your tickets TODAY at: Reserve Tickets
More information about John Pruitt and his other titles is available at www.johnpruittauthor.com.
Happy 15 Years at the History Center, Glen!
Our Executive Director Glen Kyle celebrated 15 years at the History Center in September! Here is a reflection by Glen about his time here since he was hired in 2007:
"I have to confess, when I came to the History Center in 2007, I had no idea I'd be here for fifteen years. That entire first year was a whirlwind of getting to know the board, our supporters, our community, and what the History Center had been. Getting that baseline of knowledge helped me, from that point on, determine what the History Center should be and how it was going to get there.
And in that fifteen years, there have been some MIGHTY big changes:
over 20 temporary exhibits
significant work to improve and update our main exhibit galleries (I don't think this one will EVER really end!)
a total restoration and reinterpretation of the White Path Cabin
Securing almost two million dollars in endowments and restricted funds to help underwrite the History Center's operations (and we could still use a couple more!)
The establishment of the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center to serve as the focus of an all-new approach to history education
The establishment of the Cottrell Digital Studio to get that history education out to audiences throughout Georgia, the United States, and all around the globe
an increase in numbers and professionalism of staff (from 2 to 8) -- the best staff in the world!
And a thousand other things, large and small, that make this place one of the jewels in all of Northeast Georgia... lots of changes, but I've found that changing and evolving is what makes institutions and people thrive. If history really teaches us anything, it teaches us that.
There's something else I've learned in fifteen years: bragging about this place, and the people in it, and the community that supports it, has become second nature.
This place wouldn't be here without the people in it and all of you, our friends and supporters. It's been a privilege to be a part of it, and I can't wait to see what the next fifteen years hold!"
- Glen Kyle
Last Month at the History Center
September was a great month for the History Center! In September we:
time traveled with students to meet historic characters during our live Webcasts
hosted our second virtual Homeschool History Club lesson about World War 2
debuted our Members Mini-Doc: The Legend of Nancy Hart
hosted our second Members Virtual Trivia Night about Georgia during the Civil War
and hosted our Founding of Georgia Family Day with over 300 visitors attending!
LoFi History: Ask a Historian!
Join us for our virtual program LoFi History on Tuesday, October 4th from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM ET on Facebook Live and YouTube Live at the links below. During this program, host Libba Beaucham and historians Marie Bartlett and Glen Kyle answer your history questions live from the chat. Great for all ages! Students are highly encouraged to join to ask questions about what they’re learning in class.
YouTube: bit.ly/negahcyoutube
Facebook: www.facebook.com/negahc
Members Virtual Trivia Night:
The Civil War in Georgia
If you missed our Members Virtual Trivia, you can still watch to test your knowledge and learn new details about the Civil War in Georgia. This is a great program for teachers to share with students studying the Civil War!
Members Virtual Trivia Night: Edgar Allan Poe
Our next Members Virtual Trivia Night will be about the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe on Thursday, October 20th at 7:00 PM ET.
While only Members can officially play, the public is invited to watch the game on YouTube or Facebook. Great for all ages.
Become a Member to enjoy this benefit and more!
Special Exhibit: Fashion Through the Decades
On display now is the latest theme for our Fadeless Photographer special exhibit: Fashion Through the Decades. This exhibit showcases historic fashions and accessories from our archives as well as portrait photography of fashionable Gainesville citizens spanning the late 1800s to mid 1900s. The portraits on display are by Gainesville photographers N.C. White and son N.C. White Jr. whose studio was on the Gainesville square from the late 1800s to the 1950s.
This will be the last theme on display for this special exhibit which also features artifacts from the N.C. White studio including the original camera!
The N.C. White exhibit is brought to you by the Jack and Janice Frost Endowment and Memorial Park Funeral Homes.
Free Family Day: America in World War II
During our free Family Day on Sunday, October 9th, visitors will learn about the different branches of the American Military and their involvement in WWII as well as what life was like on the American Homefront through living history demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Meet reenactors portraying American Soldiers, Sailors, and even Rosie the Riveter with artifacts and historically accurate reproduction items. Receive a free souvenir photo with our Green Screen Time Machine too!
Join anytime between 1-4 PM on Sunday, October 9th.
All of the activities in this event align with the Georgia Standards of Excellence:
SS5H4 Explain America’s involvement in World War II.
Family Days are free to the public thanks to the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center.
Homeschool Day: Harvest Time on the Homestead
Homeschool families are invited to join the Northeast Georgia History Center's Homeschool Day on October 27th between 10 AM - 1 PM. This fun and interactive event will feature activities and crafts focused on the main crops in Northeast Georgia during the mid-1800s.
Meet our costumed Living History Interpreters, try your hand at corn grinding, make a corn husk doll to take home, taste homemade cornbread and wheat bread, and more!
Visitors are welcome to join anytime between 10 AM - 1 PM.
This program is included with admission to the Northeast Georgia History Center. No registration is required.
Visitors are encouraged to tour the exhibits after the program which features 10,000 years of Northeast Georgia history. A kids scavenger hunt through the galleries that is Fall themed is also included.
October Members Mini-Doc: Meet Mary Musgrove
When General James Oglethorpe arrived in the new Georgia colony, he sought the help of Mary Musgrove for her unique skills and position in the colony. Mary Musgrove spoke both the Creek language of Muskogee as well as English. She grew up among the Yamacraw Creek but also received a formal English education. And, quite uniquely, she owned and operated her own trading post with her husband. Mary Musgrove played an essential role for General Oglethorpe as a translator and mediator between the colonists and the native tribes, even becoming the official translator of the Georgia colony.
In this month’s Members Mini-Documentary, we will explore how Mary Musgrove rose to her position as a tradeswoman and translator, as well as the challenges she faced in her remarkable life. Actress Nicole Castereno will portray Musgrove from her trading post in colonial Savannah, Georgia.
This program will debut on Friday, October 21st.
FREE Nocturnal Night Hike:
Myths and Legends of the Appalachians
Join the Northeast Georgia History Center at the Elachee Nature Center for a free guided night hike about the myths and legends of Appalachia.
This event includes a guided hike along the Dodd Trail for a discussion on the myths of North Georgia, including Sasquatch, Fairy Crosses, Tree Spirits, and more! Participants should arrive dressed for physical activity. Flashlights will be provided. This program will take place on Saturday, October 29th from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. It is for ages 16 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
This program is free but pre-registration is requested: RSVP Link
Accepting New Tutors for Gainesville Reads
We currently accepting new volunteer tutors for our free children’s program, Gainesville Reads, for students in 1st-5th grade who struggle with reading. 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.
Details at www.negahc.org/gainesvillereads.
Members Ask a Historian Topic:
Old Fashioned Fun
Members are invited to submit their questions for our monthly “Ask a Historian” topic. This month’s topic is “old fashioned fun.” Have you ever wondered what folks did for fun and entertainment in old and ancient times? Submit your question about a specific time period and culture’s “past” times!
Use our Member Portal to submit your question, and we will release a video answer at the end of the month!
Then Again Podcast
In our latest episode of Then Again:
Can we summarize the entire Atlanta Campaign of the Civil War in under 30 min? Why was Atlanta so important, and how did all this affect the reelection of Abraham Lincoln? In this episode Glen and Marie pull it off... barely. There are of course battles and generals, but this series of events goes far beyond the military details, changing not just the course of the war, but American history.
Listen now at www.thenagainpodcast.com.
Take our listener survey at this link: Then Again Listener Survey
Seeking Sponsors for 3rd Annual Telethon
Last year, the History Center hosted its second 24 Hour Telethon and raised over $3,000 to support our operations. This year we’re a little more ambitious! We’re setting our goal at $5,000. We’re offering sponsorships to local businesses and organizations to help us meet this goal. Sponsorships begin at just $50 and offer a great way to support local education and promote your organization.
Details are available at www.negahc.org/telethon.
