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Norcross History Center sponsoring photography contest

By ANNE WEBB
Director, The Norcross History Center
Special to GwinnettForum.com

NORCROSS, Ga., May 29, 2009 -- The Norcross History Center continues momentum, gathering oral histories from long-time residents, adding artifacts, and archival materials to growing collections. Although lacking a permanent home, the NHC has found guest exhibit space at the Duluth Strickland House Museum. Stop by and see us at their Open House on Saturday until 4 p.m.

The Norcross History Center (NHC) is sponsoring a Photography Contest through July 30, 2009. Winners will be announced by August 30 on the website. Old photos taken in and around the city of Norcross up through the 1950's are eligible. The NHC will scan entries and return originals to the owners. An entry form is available on the website.

Contest Categories include: Antiquities- Oldest Photograph; Oldest Family Portrayed; Oldest Wedding Photograph; and Oldest Military Service Photograph; Landmarks- Schools and Churches; Downtown, Most Compelling Landmark; Transportation- Best Train, Automobile, or Wagon Photograph; People, Events: Children, Notables of Norcross; Best Event; Best Before and After.

The History Center is leading the year-long project researching and filming oral histories of long-time residents as part of the "The Martha Miller Adams and Irene Ewing who were co- authors of the book, Norcross. Both were past presidents of the Norcross Woman's Club, and Founding Board Members of The Norcross History Center.

On April 25, memories of Norcross were recorded by a professional videographer in a day-long filming session held at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. The NHC has purchased its own video camera, allowing home visits to shut-in seniors wanting to participate.

The Norcross History Center's Museum still hopes for its own stand-alone location in Norcross. The 2007 Norcross City Council gave a unanimous resolution of support, but plans have not materialized for $1-a-year lease in either of two vacant historic houses that the City of Norcross owns.

Most recently, the current Norcross Mayor and one of the five City Councilmen announced that the smaller historic house at 189 Lawrenceville Street will become the city's Welcome Center for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Economic Development and multi-purpose offices, with the city running its own municipal museum. The other 100-year-old historic house adjacent to the Cultural Arts Center remains unused for public facilities; its purpose for two years has been storage of city records and surplus computers.

The NHC presented its Traveling Exhibit "Children of Norcross: Toys of Yesteryear" at a book signing for Norcross resident Elliott Brack held April 14 by The Duluth Historical Society at the Duluth Museum's historic Strickland House. The exhibit featured school children from the 1920s through 1950s and a collection of turn-of-the-century toys.

Spanning Colonial to Present times, Start-up Collections include Americana (Homelife, Founding Families, Famous Sons and Daughters, Early Education, Veterans); African-American Experience; Transportation and The Railroad; Baseball History; Native Americans, Women's Studies, Political Life, Industry and Agriculture, and Lore.

NHC appreciates feedback by any means: emails, telephone calls, stories to tell, old photography, historical documents and remembrances, volunteers, or just plain old dollar-support donations to keep the work going! Please contact us using the web site.

The Norcross History Center is a fully incorporated 501 (c) 3 non-profit. For information on Norcross vanishing houses and history, see www.SaveHistoricNorcross.com.