Retired Altoona Area High School teacher Jim Lowe arranges some items from his personal collection in the Baker Mansion World War II exhibit. Lowe taught history for 33 years until his retirement two years ago. He became the chairman of the board at the Blair County Historical Society earlier this year. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

James “Jim” Lowe’s passion for history began in fourth grade when his grandmother took him to Gable’s Department Store, where he spotted a World War II book with airplanes on the cover.

“I was really interested in the airplanes on the cover, and it was far above my reading,” he said. Rather than discourage him, she purchased the book.

“As an adult, I realize how far above reading level it is for fourth grader. But that was about the time I discovered my passion for history and I have to credit her for that encouragement.”

His grandmother, Betty Johnson, died a short time afterward.

“It had an impact, and from then on, my family always encouraged me to read. My dad took me to the library once a week, and I started checking out books. That’s what really began this long road that turned into a career and a passion and a hobby altogether.”

Lowe, who taught history for 33 years at Altoona Area High School until his retirement two years ago, became the chairman of the board at the Blair County Historical Society earlier this year.

“He’s brought a great passion and a great ability to tell a story and bring history to life,” said BCHS board member Don Mast, who is a former student of Lowe’s. “Now he’s bringing that same passion and love of history and ability to tell a story to the folks who visit the mansion and all events we put on. He’s coming up with some very innovative ideas to help us expand what the historical society is doing and to reach younger audiences.”

Lowe sparked his own interest and love of history, said Mast, who serves as pastor of Altoona First Southern Baptist Church.

Former BCHS chairman Michael Farrow said Lowe often recruited students to volunteer and work as tour guides for many years and is focused on community outreach in his new position as chairman.

“Jim’s many skills in interacting with the community, both young and adult, will grow the successes he has proven at the high school level. In less than a year, he has written a half-dozen publications on local history, applied for a major grant for restoration of the mansion and grounds, recognized contacts with county history teachers and libraries, is active in community projects and answers many historical queries from the public,” Farrow said. “I cannot be happier to have a successor like Jim, who will safeguard our momentum and enhance our mission of preserving history for us and future generations.”

Since becoming board chairman, Lowe said he’s been spending at least 40 hours a week at Baker Mansion. A two-time organ transplant recipient, Lowe said it’s his way of giving back after regaining his health.

“You live with it in the back of your head as to ‘Why did God give me a second chance when there are other folks who don’t?’ There are people who die every year waiting for a transplant that never get one and I’ve had two,” Lowe said. “So it really changes your focus on life and what you need to do to make a difference.”

Sitting in the office of ironmaker Elias Baker, Lowe outlined his goals for the society. He and his board’s main goal is to preserve the historic limestone mansion and the Baker family’s story while also showing the interplay and influences between world and national events on Blair County residents and how local residents responded.

Too often, he said, he hears local residents say they went to the mansion in fourth grade and have never returned. The goal is to give residents multiple reasons to return again and again to learn. They plan to expand rotating exhibits and popular lecture series and increase membership.

Maintaining a 174-year-old home is costly, and the mansion’s limestone exterior is in need of repairs estimated to cost $1 million. While the society is seeking grants to cover the repairs, the annual dues — $25 for an individual and $35 for families — helps meet day-to-day operational costs.

Membership benefits include free admission to tours during operating hours, a quarterly newsletter, special rights to the Society’s research library during appointment hours, discounts on purchases at the Baker Mansion Museum Store and special events and exclusive invitations to society-sponsored travels and programs, according to its website.

The rotating exhibits were an idea first conceived by former board chairman Scott Cessna about 12 years ago. Cessna issued a social media plea for ideas. Lowe wrote a lengthy response on social media, which culminated in an invitation to join the society and become a board member.

“I want to make sure that folks in Blair County appreciate their heritage and have access to their heritage with these rotating exhibits,” he said. “It goes back to changing the approach here.” From the creation of the museum in 1922 through to about the early 2000s, the rooms at the mansion remained the same every year, Lowe said.

“The appeal we’re trying to create is to come back and learn more about how these national and international events affected folks who were here in Blair County and how the county developed based on different heritage groups within the county, such as the Italians, Germans and African-Americans,” Lowe explained.

“Over the last four years, we’ve really made a difference with the rotating exhibits, and I’ve worked really hard to develop them,” he said.

Exhibits include the Civil War, women’s suffrage, World War I and two exhibits on World War II. Future exhibits will include the area’s role in the Underground Railroad and

African-American heritage and German heritage.

The exhibits blend printed information with historical artifacts and a collaborative effort under a board member who serves as project leader and other members.

While some artifacts come from the society, many come from his personal collection, which has about 5,000 items. On display upstairs is a World War II exhibit that shows the war at the fighting front and also efforts at home.

“I think it’s very important that we take not only the history of those events but then add to it how it impacted Blair County and how Blair County was involved,” he said.

For example, in World War II, Blair County residents raised more than $1 million — way above what the government expected.

“The sales were remarkable. I think telling the stories about the patriotic spirit of those in Blair County is important,” he said. “And on the front lines, 400 men and one woman just from Altoona alone — if you add in all of Blair County that number increases to 600 men and two women — who made the ultimate sacrifice in the war, and we tell their stories as well.”

His personal artifact collection is focused on homefront items from World War I and II and President Theodore Roosevelt. He scours antique stores, auctions and online auction sites for items, such as pins.

In addition to developing new exhibits, Lowe is responsible for securing lecturers for the society’s free lecture series and increasing its library of “small books” that tell the story of local history, such as the upcoming 100-year-anniversary of the Altoona Speedway’s opening in Tipton. Upcoming lectures and events can be found on the BCHS website and Facebook pages.

The Lowe file

Name: James “Jim” Lowe

Age: 57

Residence: Altoona

Education: Altoona Area High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in education

Occupation: Retired history teacher at Altoona Area High School

Community service: Board chairman, Blair County Historical Society; Church Council President, First Evangelical Lutheran Church; Blair County Semiquincentennial Committee; founder of the PSA Veterans Support Community Service Program

Awards/honors: IUP Outstanding Student Teacher Award, Altoona Area School District CARE Award, Pennsylvania Council of Social Studies Presidents Award, Paul Harris Fellow and Pennsylvania History Teacher of the Year