Free Event Tool: The History List

Introducing a new FREE Event Database: The History List @ thehistorylist.com (Don't forget "The"). I've been meaning to post about this new free event tool for awhile, but have been consciously giving them time to get more established. For those who run historical/genealogical organizations and museums - and for those to love attending events at said institutions, you owe it to yourself to check out this new free tool to list your events! So far, they have attracted organizations from around the country, and list history related events by state and/or chronologically.

Based out of Massachusetts, the majority of events listed in The History List, are from the New England area, but they are adding events from new states all the time. The Kentucky Historical Society has had their events listed in this database for over a year now, and we have enjoyed its easy integration into our main web site. 

On a personal note, I have to add events into the database for KHS on a regular basis, and have observed the following:

1. Each organization has a home landing page with general information and list of upcoming events + Each event has it's own page with an unlimited photo/video option to showcase the event visually.

2. The event pages are easy to read with event location (with map integration), cost, description, event Twitter hashtag, and intended audience information intuitively placed. 

3. Event duplication and repeat planning are a breeze.

4. Events can be added once on this site, with code pulled into your main web site or through an easily generated widget - see one example here on this blog - for KHS events - far right sidebar.

5. Events are searchable by location or event type.

6. ANY Historically related organization that hosts events can join for free to add their content - including Historic sites or parks.

7. Due to their relatively young age, there are some bugs that you should be patient with: Tagging is integrated, but searching does not seem to pull out related events unless the search term is in the title. Event creation can get a little odd with font appearance changing once "publish" or "preview" is clicked. Widgets and coding can have a learning curve or some browser irregularities.

8. Small company, but very willing to work with new organizations to resolve any issues and get feedback for improving the product.

9. Did I mention this is FREE, and provides a place to list History related events? As a History buff, I LOVE this concept and would love to see more organization events listed here. 

10. What a great way to promote the events of smaller organizations that have little to no budget!

Anyway, don't take my word for it....read through the features, and if you belong to any historical/genealogical/museum related organizations, bring it to their attention!

For more information, see this page: How the History List is Different  

For some event reminders, don't forget to follow them on Twitter! @thehistorylist 

Stonetown Haven - A New Beginning

 Kentucky's slave history is a very unique one. As a border state we had both large slaveholders and a large number of abolitionists. Harriet Beecher Stowe witnessed her first slave auction in the northern part of our state. We were so split during the Civil War that we had two governments. It is therefore no surprise that our countryside is dotted with small freed slave communities that sprung up before and after the end of slavery. The sad fact associated with these small communities is their omission from local histories and history books. Not all histories ignore their existence, but they were not preserved nor noted for future generations in the same manner as early white settlements were once they were no longer inhabited. I am delighted to see this fact change as more groups are interested in restoring these little phoenix communities that rose from the ashes.

Yesterday, the public library in my community invited a local historian to speak about recent preservation efforts within our county. The Scott County Public Library drew over 50 attendees when Shirl Marks brought to light the restoration efforts surrounding an original structure in the former community of Stonetown. According to Marks the freed slave community in the Stamping Ground area encompassed several roads: Stonetown, Locust Fork, Main St, Woodlake, etc. Some of the local surnames associated with this former community were: Samuels, Patterson, West, Thomas, Fisher, Young, Phoenix, Fishback, Dudley, Carter, and Bell. She went on to explain that it was only oral history and family legend that explained the older structures that were abandoned and falling into oblivion.

After Shirl's family inherited one of the original structures, a group effort to restore this precious piece of history was set in motion. For the past three years a devoted group of volunteers has been working to restore life to this small structure which Shirl has named "Stonetown Haven".

The efforts have reached about a 70% completion rate and they hope to finish soon by placing a museum and information center inside. Once the efforts have been completed I hope to post another notice for those of you within the state or nearby that wish to support the new center. A celebration and grand opening will be planned soon.

Ms. Marks explained that the purpose behind this project is to "preserve the history of all its citizens". For anyone who thinks that history is in the past, I wish you could have watched the people in this room. Even though the structures were almost faded completely from the countryside, many of the descendants of Stonetown, Watkinsville and Pea Ridge are still living in these areas. Their ancestors had built these communities and their children were making sure those communities did not fade from memory. It was extremely heart warming to watch the descendants reminisce about the earlier generations and remember their neighbors from long ago. It was another reminder that history and preservation is not simply about the past, but ensuring our future is complete with the knowledge of how we arrived at our current destination, and how that past journey affects where we are headed.

I will post more about the organization and its efforts as soon as we get closer to their completion date. After the meeting about the preservation of Stonetown Haven, the second meeting of the newly formed African American Genealogy Group of Kentucky took place. Once they are a little more established I will post more about how to support them and how to join. If you are interested in getting involved with this group (and also as a way to get in touch with Shirl Marks), their e-mail is: AAGGKY@gmail.com.  
CD 2/20/11