In mid-May, Andrea Gable, editor of Lake Oconee Living magazine, invited the OSHM to contribute a story on our pandemic experience for a collaborative article on several area organizations. Here is the Old School History Museum’s story:
When we closed our doors in mid March, the museum team at the Old School History Museum was stunned that a deadly virus was threatening us. How could this be? After all, we live in Eatonton, a caring small town where people feel safe, look after their neighbors, and delight in sharing the rich history of our area. A deadly virus that required distancing ourselves from those we love and those we serve at the museum was unimaginable. We just stared at each other.
Spring is always a busy time at the OSHM with numerous student tours and special events on the calendar. It’s also the time when we host hundreds of fourth graders for a special literary/music program complementing the history studies they have just completed. It’s a magical day as some of our adventurous docents put on historical costumes and tell stories, the Kazanetti String Quartet plays period music, and we all step back in time. This year’s fourth graders missed their special event.
It’s the season when history students of all ages come to learn about the Native Americans who once lived in our area, and vacationers from far and near come to visit. Some people visit regularly, some follow the ante-bellum trail, and some simply find us. Regardless, they are lovers of history, and we love sharing our stories. This year our history lovers had to save their visit for another time.
The OSHM was recently invited to participate in a two-year educational research project. We were especially excited because we would be working directly with the student participants. The research was just starting. Then the doors closed; that project is now pushed into the future.
As days passed and the virus drew closer, we knew our Sunday At the Museum lecture series was compromised. Our next speaker, Bill Kurtz of Madison, GA, was scheduled for early May. He was returning by popular demand to tell mesmerizing stories of his grandfather, technical advisor for numerous films, including Gone With The Wind! Fortunately, Bill has re-scheduled his lecture for March 7, 2021.
The pandemic has taken its toll on our well-planned events, and it has stolen memorable experiences from our students and visitors. As for our team of volunteers, we miss working at the museum, and we miss each other. Thankfully, we know happier, healthier days are coming!
(Visit the magazine at lakeoconeelivingmag.com)