September 2009

As incredible as it may seem, the Old School History Museum won a national grant before its grand opening and, in its first year, hosted a major event that attracted more than 4,000 visitors!  Here’s the story…

It all started in early 2007 when an accomplished grant writer, who was also a museum board member, told the museum director that the OSHM should apply for a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) traveling exhibit grant. He said the exhibit, Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and Their Neighbors, was perfect for Eatonton and Putnam County.  She reminded him that the OSHM was not scheduled to open until 2009!  He explained that the exhibit would tour for two years (2007-2009), and grant recipients could choose their five weeks to host.  Somewhat skeptical, she agreed, and the two of them began writing.

With the grant submitted and everyone’s attention back to creating the museum, there was great excitement when the NEH letter arrived with these words from the Inspector General, “Congratulations on receiving a grant award from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). You can be proud of this accomplishment since the competition for NEH grants is intense.”  It was indeed an amazing start for the fledgling museum! 

Time passed quickly, and in late August 2009, the exhibit arrived in a tractor-trailer filled with 14 enormous wooden cases. The museum team had a few days to set up, four weeks to exhibit, and a few more days to repack and ship to the next designated museum.  From September 3rd through October 3rd, the OSHM opened its doors for seven days a week to accommodate everyone who wanted to visit! 

Farm Life was divided into four sections:  the farmhouse, fields, barn, and community gathering places.  In each section, photographs, objects, and labels told the story of life on a farm, with many items and inter-active pieces to delight both children and adults. 

The exhibition itself explored the profound changes for farm families and their neighbors that came about during the twentieth century.  In 1900, 42% of the U.S. population worked in agriculture, but by 2000, less than 2% of the population was involved in farm production. Why some families have continued to farm while others have chosen to leave farming was among the issues offered for discussion. 

To complement the exhibition, the OSHM organized dozens of Farm Life tours and interactive lessons for students of all ages.  Other events included a “Pig-Pickin” barbecue, an Agriculture Awareness Day with a tractor display, petting zoo, hayride, trip to Stepback, a student Farm Life art show and 4-H poster contest. 

Kazanetti, the Plaza’s resident string quartet, performed an original musical program, “Old MacDonald Had a Quartet,” for primary and elementary students.  On September 19, Kazanetti and The Plaza Arts Center hosted the world-renowned Manhattan String Quartet when “the city came to the country!”  It was a glorious September for celebrating rural heritage and getting to know the Old School History Museum!