Program aims to preserve kids’ own history
Blair libraries, historical society offer ‘History in My Time’
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Blair County libraries are joining the Blair County Historical Society to teach fourth through eighth graders about preserving their own history.
"History isn't just 50, 100 or 500 years ago, history is today and look at what we are going through," historical society executive director Kate Rimbeck said.
The generations alive today can share their experience living through the pandemic, all the events going on in the country and the world, and how it has affected them, she said.
Kevin Yoder of the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library said, "I think it is good to get kids into history, getting them to talk about family history and ancestry, and learning about current events."
As part of the History in My Time workshops attendees will learn about themselves and current events, how to document it through journaling and how to write a letter to their future selves. They will also learn how to build a time capsule that they can take with them along with a notebook and journal.
The capsule is something the kids can add to over time and then open it and their letter when they graduate.
Rimbeck has seen the value of letters.
"I can tell you so much about the Baker family because of the letters left behind," Rimbeck said. They know about conversations between Anna Baker and her sister-in-law Sarah.
There are also letters that go back all the way to when Elias Baker was building the mansion. "We know how it was built, the cost of things and we know so much because of these letters," she said.
History in My Time workshops will take place at eight Blair County libraries including Tyrone-Snyder from 2-4 p.m. June 21, Hollidaysburg from 1-3 p.m. June 29, Williamsburg from 2-4 p.m. July 12, Martinsburg from 2-4 p.m. July 20, Bellwood-Antis from 6-8 p.m. July 25, Claysburg from 11 a.m-1 p.m. July 27 and Altoona from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 17.
The cost is $10 per child, which covers the cost for workbook and activity sheets, time capsule container, supplies for creating and decorating the time capsule, beginner journal, stamp and envelope.
At the end of the workshops, attendees will get a workbook to take home, a time capsule and a journal.
Registration is required at www.blairhistory.org/education.
The fee will allow organizers to replenish supplies, originally purchased with grants from the Hollidaysburg Area Women's Club, Walmart and Sam's Club.
The workbook was developed by volunteer Dawn Keith and her daughter Dani Keith.
Dawn also created an example time capsule as a guide for kids when they make their own.
Since 2020, Rimbeck said there has been an increase in mental health problems because of the pandemic.
"People became more enclosed, not having much to do," Rimbeck said. "One of the top things that therapists say helps is journaling."
Rimbeck then began thinking about what would happen in 50 years' time because people don't write letters anymore.
"Everything that we do now is on Facebook and emails -- our digital footprint is going to be gone in 50 years," she said.
Another important part of the program is the family bonding time where kids will have the opportunity to sit down to start a journal with their family.
Danette Feathers of Martinsburg Community Library hoped that parents will take advantage of the program for their kids.
"Letter writing is a lost art and there is a lot going on that the kids can learn about," she said.
Rimbeck said they choose the libraries as the location for the program because they are a free resource and also to showcase them.
"I think it is a fantastic program -- kids can build their self-esteem and self-worth from the ideas that they are important to living history," Jessica Ford Cameron of Bellwood-Antis said. "Life right now is very fleeting with everything being online, it is nice to have a way to record history through letters and journals that will really last."
The Altoona Area Public Library believes it is important to have the kids learn about respect for history while also looking toward the future, said Director Jennifer Knisley.
"Time capsules are so cool and it will be fun for the kids to do," she said.
Jane Knisely of the Claysburg Area Public Library said she even thought about making her own journal and time capsule."It will be a good lesson for kids about self awareness and importance," she said.