2020: Year in Review
Reflection on Adaptation
Input from the Board, Staff, Volunteers and the public influenced the Strategic Plan as a foundation for our vision in the next 12-18 months.
Click here to see the Plan
Staffing
Long-time DeKalb County Historian and Joiner History Room Director Sue Breese's last day was July 31. The DeKalb County Government appointed Michelle Donahoe as the successive County Historian. Rob Glover was named the new Director of the Joiner History Room.
Programs and Services
The History Center reopened with limited hours in August, and significantly expanded on-line options to better serve new and current audiences. This year our accomplishments include:
Engaging thousands with social media game
"From 100 to 1-Vote for your favorite object
in DeKalb County History."
Launching "History: Out and About.
For 19 weeks stories about DeKalb County's townships
were shared on social media.
Developing Bitmoji Classrooms:
interactive virtual classrooms with primary sources.
Providing virtual Brown Bag / Local Lore
programs, field trips and history talks.
Creating a Scavenger Hunt
on the History Center property.
As well as....
- Designing a DeKalb County Township hisoric resource website to be launched in 2021.
- Continuing to see partnership with local history organizations ad librarires grow.
- Conducting research to answer numerous Joiner History Room requests.
Communication
...2,273 Followers from 62 different locations among 11 states "Like" DCHC
...28% growth in Followers
...25% growth in Followers
Website
...New visitors are the majority of users (91%)
Newsletter
...Subscribers total over 1300!
Connecting with Volunteers
Volunteers are our lifeblood. With COVID restrictions imposed, volunteer opportunities continued via on and off-site projects.
Fundraising
What's Next?
As the pandemic limited the traditional income opportunities, the History Center let two fundraising efforts:
Give DeKalb County: Met our Goal of $18,000.
Virtual House Walk:
Launched at the end of October, 16 homes can be viewed through January 10, 2021, (now extended) through March 15, 2021. Initial response shows participants making donations in addition to their ticket purchase.
DeKalb County Touring App
Collaborating with partners in the County, a new mobile app for self-guided touring is planned to launch late spring.
Our Partners
To promote various history organizations throughout our county, short videos about different history partners are being developed.
Exhibit
"History of DeKalb County in 100 objects" is the upcoming exhibit and plans are in the works for an opening date in 2021.Arts in Action
We are working on expanding our relationships with diverse communities throughout the county. In partnership with the Ellwood House, the "Arts in Action" committee is exploring ways to share lesser known stories in our county's history.