November 2023 Journal Newsletter
Welcome, Sophie!
We are excited to welcome Sophie Monsibais to the team as our new Museum Services Manager. Sophie is a Gainesville local who studied Art Marketing at the University of North Georgia. She comes from an art background focusing on photography and crafting. Her previous work includes her role as Program Coordinator for the Japan America Society of Georgia and Ticketing Coordinator for Japanfest.
As Museum Services Manager, Sophie can assist you with Memberships, rentals, the museum shop, and providing information about your next visit.
Sophie is also a gifted artist and is leading our upcoming Suncatcher Craft Workshop on Saturday, November 18th at 1 PM!
Sophie Monsibais, Museum Services Manager
Upcoming Events & Programs
Check out our upcoming events and programs in November! Members receive free admission or discounts to events throughout the year. Become a Member today.
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The Northeast Georgia History Center will offer free admission to Veterans and their families this Veterans Day on Saturday, November 11th from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore and reflect in the American Freedom Garden, a serene and beautiful garden dedicated to honoring the Veterans and military families of the 20th and 21st centuries. It's a day to connect with history, show appreciation for our nation's heroes, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the American Freedom Garden.
For more information on the American Freedom Garden, please visit this link.
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Tuesday, November 14th at 7 PM
During our November Forum, we'll take a Stroll Down Memory Lane with Ronda Sanders, Genealogy and Local History Librarian for the Hall County Library System. Ronda will share images from the library's historic photograph collection and share the stories of folks who have called Hall County home. Learn about figures like Jesse Jewell, Dr. E. E. Butler, and others who made an impact on the local community.
This event is free for Members and $5 for Non-Members. Become a Member today at www.negahc.org/member
Forums are a lecture series at the Northeast Georgia History Center that take place every second Tuesday of the month during the academic year.
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
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Wednesday, November 15th from 10 AM - 1 PM
Free for Members!
Online Registration Required for Guaranteed Entry
Join us at the Northeast Georgia History Center during our November Homeschool Day, Harvest Time on the Homestead, on Wednesday, November 15th from 10 AM to 1 PM.
Explore harvest time in Northeast Georgia during the early to mid-1800s when corn was the primary crop. Discover the origins of traditional foods, learn about preservation methods, and celebrate the harvest with us with traditional dances that were popular in the 1800s.
Traditional Dance Lessons will be held at 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
Free for Members and regular admission for non-Members. Become a Member by selecting a level on our online registration page to receive exclusive Member benefits!
Online registration is required for guaranteed admission. Walk-ins will be allowed unless we meet maximum capacity.
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
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Saturday, November 18th at 1 PM
Join us for a fun and family-friendly Suncatcher Craft Workshop led by local artist Sophie Monsibais on Saturday, November 18th at 1 PM at the Northeast Georgia History Center.
Sophie will share the history behind the art of flower pressing and guide you through each step to create your very own suncatcher to take home. This program is great for both adults and children 8 and up.
Autumn Frolic!
Register before Friday, November 3rd to receive free admission to the museum's Autumn Frolic event at 2 PM, just after the workshop concludes! We'll have a historic dance lesson, a blacksmithing demonstration, historic toys and games, and more.
Members already receive free admission to Autumn Frolic and discounted workshop admission. Become a Member today by selecting a level on our online registration page.
Admission:
Member Crafting Ticket $15
Non-Member Crafting Ticket $25
Adult Chaperone (Supervising craft with child) $0
Autumn Frolic Member Ticket $0
Autumn Frolic non-Member Ticket $0 until Friday, November 3rd.
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
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Saturday, November 18th from 1-4 PM
Free for Members!
Online Registration Required for Guaranteed Entry
Join us at the Northeast Georgia History Center for our Autumn Frolic celebration! This event will take place on Saturday, November 18th from 1 PM to 4 PM with a historic dance lesson at 2 PM and ongoing activities.
An Autumn Frolic Party or a "Husking Party" is a celebration of the corn harvest by feasting, dancing, and other merrymaking activities.
Learn about community and agriculture in mid-1800’s in Northeast Georgia through engaging hands-on activities.
2 PM Historic Dance Lesson
Ongoing Activities will include:
Making Corn Husk Dolls
Historic Toys and Games
Making Butter
Open Fire Cooking Demonstration
Bobbing for Apples
Blacksmithing Demonstration
Join us before heading to Jingle Mingle on the square!
Free for Members and regular admission for non-Members. Become a Member by selecting a level on our online registration page to receive exclusive Member benefits!
Brought to you by the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center
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In honor of the spooky season, we have a special episode of our Members-Only program From the Archives. This month's item is likely a traditional mourning dress from the nineteenth century.
Members, you should have an email from us with the link or you can visit the Members portal and enter the Member password at www.negahc.org/members-only
HerStory Club 2024 Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for the Northeast Georgia History Center’s HerStory Club for ages 8-12 beginning in 2024. This club explores American history with a special focus on the experiences of girls and women through monthly club meetings with book readings, discussions, lessons, and activities.
HerStory Club aims to foster a love for reading, an appreciation for history, and a platform for young voices to share, learn, and grow.
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
October Highlights at the History Center
It’s been a non-stop month for the History Center as we produced educational programs and received many invitations to speak at community groups!
Lesley’s October Takeover: Throughout October, our Director of Archives & Curation, Lesley Jones, led the production of spoooooky programs for the Halloween season! Check out our recent podcast episodes and YouTube videos for local history legends and more.
Homeschool Day: Our October Homeschool Day was about the War of 1812, an event that solidified national identity with the iconic Star Spangled Banner, both melody and flag. Visitors met historic characters like Mary Pickersgill and her assistants, First Lady Dolley Madison, and a special musical program with Francis Scott Key. Reenactors from Fort Daniel shared the local connection to the War of 1812 and ended the event with a bang as they presented a firing demonstration.
Forum: Our Forum in October was hosted by Medieval historian Dr. Thomas Greene and featured ghost tales of the late middle ages. Dr. Greene shared the historical context of such legends, tales, and beliefs as well as the mysteries surrounding some of their details.
Rotary Club Presentation: Thank you to the Rotary Club of Gainesville for inviting Libba to speak about our children's literacy program, Gainesville Reads. Libba shared the story of how Gainesville Reads began, the success of our students, and the incredible team of staff and volunteer tutors that make it all possible. More info at www.negahc.org/gainesvillereads .
Kiwanis Club Presentation: Libba was invited to present local ghost stories and legends at the Kiwanis Club! Stories included the ghost of “Agnes” at Brenau University, legends of Lake Lanier, and other local tales.
Elachee Night Hikes: Marie and Libba led night hikes along the trails of Elachee Nature Center sharing Appalachian legends and superstitions along the way. Thank you to Elachee Nature Center for inviting us to collaborate on this fun event for a second year now!
Miller Institute Presentation: Libba presented a Brief History of Gainesville to students at the Miller Institute for Global Education at Brenau University. International students attended in person and on Zoom to learn about the history of the local area from the first inhabitants to today. Thank you to the Miller Institute for inviting Libba to speak!
Presentation at Gainesville First United Methodist Church: Marie presented a program about Appalachian Myths & Legends for the “Gadabouts” group at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Our wonderful Board Member Dr. Marsha Hopkins was in attendance, too!
Elisha Winn House Fair: Marie, Libba, and volunteer Caroline shared historic toys and games with visitors, introduced folks to the Northeast Georgia History Center, and enjoyed meeting fellow organizations during the Winn Fair at the historic Elisha Winn House. Kids from the Children of the Revolution stopped by to play games with us! Thank you Gwinnett Historical Society and the Elisha Winn House for inviting us and for all the work that went into this great event.
Volunteer of the Month: Justin Osborne
Our Volunteer of the Month is Justin Osborne! Justin has volunteered for our special events and field trips for over a year now. He has been a joy to work with and his passion for education and history shines through.
“My interest and love for history is something that came from my studies as a young boy and continues to this day. My knowledge of history expanded after the death of my grandfather, a WW2 Veteran, and upon receiving his flag. My knowledge has grown over the years to include many other conflicts. Both of my uncles have served in the military, one having served in Vietnam and the other one having served 24 years in the US Army infantry. Hearing their stories has created a desire to learn more about our nation’s past and to teach it to younger generations. I have really enjoyed volunteering at the Northeast Georgia History Center over the past year. This allows me to serve the community of Gainesville and teach something that I love. ” - Justin Osborne
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.
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
Beckie & David Smith