September 2023 Journal Newsletter
New Executive Director Announced!
The Northeast Georgia History Center is excited to announce the appointment of Greg Payne, M.B.A., as its new Executive Director. With a passion for history and an extensive leadership and project management background, Greg is poised to steer the History Center into its next chapter of growth and community engagement.
Raised in the historically rich region of Northern Virginia, Greg's enthusiasm for history was ignited at an early age. “I was fortunate to grow up where I did, surrounded by as much American History as I was. It was through great teachers, musems, and books that I found a passion for history and how history can be used to connect people not just to the past but within their present communities as well.” adds Greg. Greg’s academic journey culminated with a Bachelor of Science in History from Portland State University and an M.B.A. from East Carolina University.
Professionally, Greg has showcased exemplary leadership in roles such as Senior Project Manager at Descartes Systems and Services Project Manager at Manhattan Associates. His experience managing multiple customer implementation projects, collaborating with diverse teams, and mentoring team members speaks to his ability to lead and inspire. His tenure at UPS in Corporate Transportation and IT Solutions further underscores his adeptness in strategic planning, project execution, and stakeholder communication.
Beyond his corporate journey, Greg's commitment to community shines through. Before accepting the position, Greg was a dedicated volunteer with the History Center and has held leadership roles in organizations like Toastmasters and the Boy Scouts of America. Greg is also the host of his original Cool Grandpa podcast which offers insights and resources for grandparents to connect with their grandchildren.
"We’re all so grateful to have Greg on the team,” says Libba Beaucham, who acted as Interim Executive Director and is now Director of Operations. “It was an honor and a rewarding experience to be Interim Executive Director, but we really needed someone with Greg’s skill set, experience, and strategic approach to fully realize our potential. Being a fellow history nerd, Greg also understands the value we offer to the community. I’m really looking forward to learning from Greg and working with him as a team leader!”
As the Northeast Georgia History Center continues its mission to connect people with the past, the addition of Greg Payne to its leadership team marks a promising new era, especially as the museum will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024.
New Executive Director Greg Payne
Greg@negahc.org
“I am excited to introduce myself to our incredible partners, members, and volunteers. My name is Greg Payne, and I am the new Executive Director of the Northeast Georgia History Center. After many years in the corporate environment, I am looking forward to serving the fantastic community of Northeast Georgia.
These are exciting times for the History Center as we prepare for our twentieth anniversary. By working with a great staff, board, and volunteers, we will create many opportunities for building strong community bonds through fun, education, and understanding of where we started from, where we are, and where we are heading.”
Greg Payne leading a tour as a volunteer in 2022
Upcoming Events
Check out our upcoming events in September! Members receive free admission or discounts to events throughout the year. Become a Member today.
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Grandparents’ Day
Sunday, September 10th from 1-5 PM
2 PM Storytime Program
Activities & Program included with Admission
Celebrate the bond between grandparents and grandchildren at the Northeast Georgia History Center’s Grandparents' Day on Sunday, September 10th from 1 PM to 5 PM with a Storytime at 2 PM.
Tour the galleries together with our Kids Scavenger Hunt and Conversation Stations, share in a fun craft together, and join us for a special Storytime at 2 PM. Take home a free family genealogy kit provided by the Hall County Library!
Free for Members and regular admission for non-Members. Become a Member today at www.negahc.org/member.
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Forum: The History of the Newtown Florist Club
Tuesday, September 12th at 7 PM
The Northeast Georgia History Center is hosting its September Forum with special guest Rev. Rose Johnson, Executive Director of the Newtown Florist Club.
Rev. Johnson will share the remarkable history of this organization which was created informally after the 1936 tornado and officially in 1950. The historically African-American Newtown neighborhood was constructed for African-Americans who were displaced after the 1936 tornado. Rev. Johnson will share the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of the Newtown Florist Club members and their stories.
This event is free for Members and $5 for non-Members. Become a Member today at www.negahc.org/member.
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Homestead Day: The One Room Schoolhouse
Saturday, September 16th from 10 AM - 1 PM
Free for Members & Teachers with School ID and Homeschool Teachers with Declaration of Intent
Regular Admission for non-Members
Online Registration Required for Guaranteed Entry
Step back in time and into our 1800s era one room schoolhouse during our first Homestead Day of the school year!
Flip through historic textbooks
Write with chalk and a slate
Recite your arithmetic with a fun math lesson
Practice cursive writing
Try writing with an ink dip pen
Play with historical toys during recess
Free for Members and teachers with a school ID. Regular admission for non-Members.
Become a Member today at www.negahc.org/member!
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Homeschool Day: The American Revolution
Wednesday, September 20th from 10 AM - 1 PM
Free for Members.
Regular Admission for non-Members
Online Registration Required for Guaranteed Entry
11:00 AM - Meet General George Washington & Firing Drill Demonstration
Ongoing Stations:
- Q&A with General George Washington at his camp office.
-Time Travel Adventure - Meet King George III in our virtual Time Travel Machine with your time travel guide, Ms. Libba!
-Camp Life - Meet a Continental Soldier at camp to learn about his daily life, equipment, weapons, and entertainment. Meet the women Camp Followers who provided laundry, mending, and cooking services to the soldiers.
-Historic Craft Station - Make your own handkerchief doll as a souvenir! *Must purchase craft kit for $5*
-Historic Toys & Games - Play with popular toys and games of the Revolutionary period!
-American Girl Doll Station - Learn about Loyalists and Patriots from the stories of American Girl Dolls Felicity and Elizabeth.
-Touch Table by the Sons of the American Revolution
-Video Presentation - Learn about the experiences of Black Patriots & Loyalists of the Revolution in this special video presentation.
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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 1 of September’s 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 city directory available to guests during their stay. Special thanks to the Digital Library of Georgia, the Gainesville Times, Benjamin Barton at the Brenau Archives, and Deborah Prince Kroll.
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
Consider contributing to this important collection so that we may continue processing the thousands of glass plate negatives that have yet to be debuted to the public. Processing these fragile negatives, restoring the photographs, and printing them for public display is a costly endeavor, but with your support, we can continue to share this incredible collection for generations to come.
“Kids Corner” Theme Featured in Museum Shop
During the month of September, we’re highlighting our wonderful selection of children’s literature!
This month’s collection would not have been possible without the generous donation of Diane Walker, a dedicated volunteer, who has worked with the History Center for over three years.
Stop by in person or shop online!
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Can this Founding Father find a friend? Historians of all ages will love this humorous introduction to the incredible beginning of America!
This colorful and humorous board book primer features some of the most prominent figures of the American Revolution―from George Washington and Abigail Adams to Paul Revere and Thomas Jefferson―and introduces historians of all ages to the signing of The Declaration of Independence and the incredible beginning of the United States of America.
Includes a timeline of the American Revolution and mini-biographies of all the historical figures featured!
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This colorful and humorous board book primer features some of the most prominent figures of American history and introduces historians of all ages to our 16th president, the Emancipation Proclamation, and other moments in the incredible beginning of the United States of America.
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Brush up on your knowledge of prominent women through the ages, from across the globe, and in all walks of life.
Who Knew? Women in History is a compendium of more than a hundred articles about women who have played a prominent role in world history.
After reading this book, you’ll be the center of attention at any party or around the water cooler as you spout forth impressive answers to questions such as: What made Catherine the Great so great? Who was the “Mother of the Atom Bomb”? Where in the world did women first gain the right to vote? Each chapter includes a quiz at the end to test your knowledge. These tidbits of trivia will leave everyone shaking their head and saying
“Who knew?” The answer to that question, of course, will be: You knew!
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A page-turning middle-grade adaptation of the New York Times bestseller about George Washington’s top-secret spy ring that helped defeat the British.
This vivid and accessible young readers adaptation of the New York Times bestseller features an exclusive new introduction, extensive back matter, and eye-catching art throughout. Chronicling a crucial moment in American history, this historical thriller will excite and inspire the next generation of patriots.
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Join the Pilgrims on their perilous journey across the ocean, as they start a new life in North America. This stunning book marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage, with edge-to-edge illustrated scenes, interspersed with detailed maps, inventories and cutaways, along with engaging, narrative text to make this a history book to treasure and pour over time and again.
Learn about the perilous journey, the crew and passengers, the cargo on board, and what happened when they finally dropped anchor in Cape Cod. Meet the Wampanoag people and learn about how the Pilgrims’ arrival changed their way of life. Atmospheric artwork and detailed scenes will spark your imagination as you discover the amazing true story behind the birth of a nation.
Condolences to Connie Propes & Family
We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to Connie Propes, former Board Member of the Northeast Georgia History Center, and her family as they mourn the passing of Harry Propes, Connie’s husband. Harry was a longtime member of the Gainesville community who grew up in Chicopee Village, graduated from Gainesville High School, and established a successful career here, too. We invite you to read the obituary for Harry Propes who also offered his generous support to the History Center.
Summer Highlights at the History Center
The Living Museum: Our newly updated exhibits came to life to showcase the history of North Georiga during our first ever Family Night: The Living Museum!
Chautauqua: Our theme for our Summer Chautauqua series this year was Founders of Georiga. We heard from General Oglethorpe, Mary Musgrove, and Major-General Nathanael Greene and learned about the impact they had upon the colony and state of Georgia.
Historic Fashion Show: Our second annual historic fashion show, Promenade, focused on fashions from the 18th century that were popular in America and Europe. Thanks to our volunteer cast of historical costumers and models, our guests were able to see over 30 examples of ensembles ranging from 1730-1790. We had one guest in particular, Hazel, who made our day as much as we made hers. Hazel developed an interest in 18th-century fashion over the summer and had been studying it intently when she learned of the fashion show at the History Center focusing on her area of study. Hazel raised the money to buy herself a VIP ticket to the show, and all of the models enjoyed getting to meet her during the reception. Hazel even joined the models of the Duke of Kent's Waltz!
Summer Camp Field Trips: We had several summer camp groups visit for our Early American Daily Life program where students learn about life on a homestead, participate in historic skills like corn grinding, learn traditional folk dances, play with historic toys, and enjoy historic demonstrations like blacksmithing and open-fire cooking!
Sautee Nacoochee Visit: The team enjoyed visiting Sautee Nachoochee last month and touring the Sautee Nachoochee Center, History Museum, Folk Pottery Museum, and African-American Heritage Cabin. They enjoyed getting to meet the staff and Board Members of these cultural institutions and see their work in the community!
Hopewell Farms Visit: Libba & Marie had the pleasure of visiting Hopewell Farms with owner Phil Bonelli and family! Hopewell Farms uses regenerative farming practices that improve the health of the land and livestock without the use of chemical pesticides. Many of these practices are rooted in historical agricultural practices. We look forward to hosting Phil on our podcast soon to share his family's work and story!
Volunteer of the Month: Rev. Bennett Clough
We’re starting a new Volunteer of the Month article for our newsletter to honor our wonderful community of volunteers. This month we are honoring Reverand Bennett Clough who has volunteered for our family and homeschool events for over a year now. Most recently, Bennett offered his great skills as a speaker and his deep knowledge of the history of Methodism in Georgia for our Founding of Georgia Homeschool Day.
"I love volunteering at the History Center because our volunteers strive to tell stories of the generations that have come before us. They make the rich history of our state come alive in many unique presentations that are accessible to a wide range of people. I am proud to be a part of what goes on here!” Rev. Bennett Clough
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.
Intern Spotlight: Brynn Hungerford
We would like to introduce you to our newest intern, Brynn Hungerford, whose internship will focus on museum curation. Brynn will be mentored by our Collections & Archives Manager, Lesley Jones. Brynn will also have the opportunity to showcase the skills she learns with a special project by the end of her internship.
“Hello, my name is Brynn, and I am a Museum Curation Intern this semester! I am a History Major and Spanish minor at the University of North Georgia, and I am in my senior year of college. I hope to go into museum curation and historical preservation after concluding my time in college. Outside of school, I love to hike, read, and roller-skate! I am looking forward to learning all of the ins and outs of working within a museum and curating exhibits!”
Internships at the Northeast Georgia History Center offer college students hands-on experience in the field of their interest. Details on internships are available at www.negahc.org/internships.
Lesley’s October Takeover!
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 during her “October Takeover” at the History Center! 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!
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