JCHC Updates: Journeys

Hello everybody!

It's been really busy here at the JCHC. We just opened up a new exhibit, "Journeys," that focuses on people of color and their experiences in Jefferson County. The exhibit features an Underground Railroad "tunnel" entrance where guests enter into a "dark basement" where a motion sensor triggers the playing of audio that exposes visitors to the sounds and feelings of a group of slaves running away and hiding from Federal Marshals. Also featured in the exhibit is a scale model of the historic Heath house on Pickering Street that was used in the Underground Railroad.

I took the time to record some footage of the new exhibit and put together a short video "trailer" of the JCHC project using my Flip Video and iMovie. Please take the time to enjoy the brief tour of the Jefferson County History Center's new exhibit "Journeys":



This project is supported by a Preserve America grant from the National Park Service and administered under the Preserving African American Heritage in Pennsylvania program of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

-Nathan

Hot Off The Press...

You'll notice that I'm holding a physical copy of the new JCHC brochure that I designed. I'm very excited to get these out for our visitors and to hear feedback!

JCHC Updates: Tour Guide Pamphlet & Pepsi Refresh Project

After a long summer...I'm officially back to work at the JCHC. (Technically I started back last week, but this is my first blog post since the spring.)

One major item that I am working on at the moment is a pamphlet for the museum that acts as an informational tour guide. I had designed a similar item last year, but it never got printed. So, this time around, I had more of a focus on editing the content and creating a visually appealing document. Now that I have a new computer to work from, I was able to utilize Microsoft Publisher to create the new pamphlet. The design is a bi-fold, 8.5" x 11" brochure that has a building map on the inside as well as a description of the museum galleries. Take a look at the front cover...you'll notice a more professional look based upon the organizations "branding." Hopefully these will be sent to get printed within the next few weeks.

Another important item that I would like to address is the Bowdish Model Railroad and its involvement in the Pepsi Refresh Project. Through various forms of voting, the Bowdish Railroad has the opportunity to win a $10,000 award to help maintain and update the popular exhibit.

For more information on how you can help out the JCHC and the Bowdish Model Railroad, please take a moment to read our eNewsletter about the project.

That's all I have for right now. Be on the lookout for more news relatively soon.

-Nathan

JCHC Updates: PA Civil War 150 Roadshow

Be sure to check out PACW150's Civil War Road Show this summer at the Jefferson County Fair on July 21 - 23, sponsored by the Jefferson County Historical Society!

JCHC Grad Assistant Blog: Summer

Hello,

It's been quite some time since I've posted anything of real substance on my blog.  This doesn't mean that there hasn't been a lot going on at the JCHC, it just means that there has been so much going on with the organization and the wrapping up of my graduate classes for the semester that I have not been able to find the time to post any updates.

Lately, most of my time, I have been working on the "Historic Brookville" street markers in Photoshop.  I basically have three signs done to be shown to the board: the Marlin Opera House Block, the New Jefferson House and Columbia Theatre, and the Sandt Service Station.  I'm very pleased with the outcome of this project and look forward to the continued work on them in the time to come.

Other than that, I have been doing my normal, everyday duties of web upkeep, constantly updating our Facebook, Twitter, and website information.  This has been a major focus of mine since I first started at the JCHC, and I try to take a little time each day to connect with members through our social media.

For me, the semester is coming to an end, and my assistantship with the JCHC is going to go on hold until next fall.  Tomorrow will be my last regular day of work for this academic year, but I am very glad to volunteer my time to work on these projects (mainly the historic signage) from home this summer whenever I have free time while working as a summer member of AmeriCorps.

I will definitely try to stay up to date with this blog during the summer whenever I finish a project or update items on the web.

I'll be back in full swing in late August!

-Nathan