MGC ACTIVITIES
MGC Activities support the mission to “be a non-profit organization documenting the contributions of multicultural and multiracial families to the social, cultural, political, religious, educational and economic development of the Ohio River Valley” and one or more of
Seven MGC Goals
- Collect written and electronic records that document the lives, histories, and genealogies of families in the region whose ancestries cross racial and/or cultural boundaries
- Protect the integrity of these records and documents for future generations by securing and maintaining an orderly archive for public benefit
- Assist individuals or organizations interested–for personal genealogical and not-for-profit purposes–in researching such families or accessing data housed in the Center archives
- Educate members, visitors, and the public about the lives, roles, and contributions of those families and traditions to American society
- Exhibit, disseminate, and publicize in appropriate venues information regarding such contributions
- Promote and improve, through community and educational programs, public perception and recognition of the region’s diverse, multicultural heritage
- Work cooperatively with organizations, universities, agencies, and libraries to gather, share, and preserve genealogical information and related historic documents pertinent to the region
How MGC Activities Fit into these Seven Goals
- Community and Campus Day on Ohio University
- Monthly Membership Programs
- Publishing Venture
- Wallpaper Project
- People of Color: a Multicultural Role in History Exhibit
- Support of Worthwhile Community Initiatives
- Presentations to Various Organizations About MGC
- Other Special Programs and Events
- Newsletters
- Videotaping of MGC Activities
Proposed, and co-sponsored, Community & Campus Day on Ohio University campus 2002; co-sponsored 2003 Community & Campus Day; will co-sponsor 2004 Community & Campus Day as part of Ohio University’s Bicentennial celebration and Black Alumni reunion.
This event is intended to, and does, promote harmony between the University and the surrounding communities, with a special emphasis on the communities of color. The event consists of (a) exhibits, by both community and campus people, of whatever each person wishes to share, i.e., historic artifacts, hobby and craft products, business and/or creative endeavors, and any other interests; and (b) talents displayed by both community and campus people, i.e., musical, poetic, dramatic readings, speeches, etc. This is the most significant event–in terms of numbers of people involved, hours devoted and positive impact–that MGC has undertaken. Approximately 78 exhibits and 20 performances, plus speeches and proclamations, comprised the most recent event. An MGC committee organized “community” participation in the event’s two “parts,” while African American Studies Department staff of O.U. organized campus participation, thus exhibiting MGC’s ability to collaborate effectively with established, highly-respected institutions.
These events help further MGC’s goals # 1, 4, 5, 6, 7
Monthly Membership Programs each present some interesting and informative aspects of history and culture important to our members’ heritages that generally are neglected in traditional presentations of history:
| DATE | SPEAKER | TOPIC |
| April, 2000 | Rev. Junior Walker | A Genealogical Journey |
| May, 2000 | Dr. Richard Wetzel | The Quaker Connection |
| June, 2000 | Al Adams | Can You Trust Oral History? One Family’s Answer |
| July, 2000 | Michel Perdreau & Nancy Aiken | The Jones Family History: An African-American First |
| August, 2000 | Debbi Smith & Sherry Walker | Ruth Corbin and the Nipmuc Nation |
| September, 2000 | Cynthia Buskirk | Gone But Not Forgotten |
| October, 2000 | Ben Bain | Burials of Multiracial Persons in Rainbow, Harmer and the Infirmary Cemeteries |
| November, 2000 | Meeting canceled due to death of President Steve Smith | |
| December, 2000 | Nikos Pappas & Singers | Shaped Note Singing |
| January, 2001 | Victoria Skidmore | Quilting |
| February, 2001 | Audience | Show & Share |
| March, 2001 | Rev. Junior Walker | How to Start a Family Tree |
| April, 2001 | Audience | Breathing Life into Oral History |
| May, 2001 | Dr. Robert Richmond & David Butcher | The Civil War As I Know It |
| June, 2001 | Mike Brant & Clyde Mayle | History of Cutler, Ohio |
| July, 2001 | Mildred Vore | Tribute to Ted Tabler |
| August, 2001 | Carlotta Workman | The Underground Railroad in Muskingum County |
| September, 2001 | Erin Cameron, Al Adams, students & families | The Chesterhill Oral History Project |
| October, 2001 | Henry R. Burke | Free Blacks in Virginia before the Civil War |
| November, 2001 | Rev. Carl Dodrill | My Encounter with an Ex-slave |
| December, 2001 | Audience | The Christmas I Most Remember |
| January, 2002 | Nominations for 2002-3 Board | |
| February, 2002 | JoAnn Prisley | Resources at the Athens County Historical Society & Museum for Multicultural Research. |
| March, 2002 | Board Election; | Members’ Plans for 2002 Activities |
| April, 2002 | Nancy Aiken | Discussion of MGC publishing possibilities |
| May, 2002 | Erin Cameron | The Wallpaper Project |
| June, 2002 | Virginia Tate Norris | History of Cutler Church |
| July, 2002 | Janice Wogan | Tour of the Chesterhill Library |
| August, 2002 | Rev. Carl Dodrill | Thunder on the Muskingum |
| September, 2002 | Gracie Hill & Ada Woodson Adams | An Oral History Interview: What the 20th Century Was Like for Me |
| October, 2002 | Henry R. Burke | The Robert Carter Emancipations |
| November, 2002 | Al Adams | Albany’s Past: The Paintings |
| December, 2002 | audience participation | Christmas Past – Precious Memories |
| January, 2003 | Glenn W. Barnett, II | Our Family – Our History: In the Computer Age |
| February, 2003 | David A. Butcher | People of Color A Multicultural Role in History |
| March, 2003 | Gifford B. Doxsee | My Five Months as a Slave |
| April, 2003 | Ann Cramer | African American History & the Wayne National Forest |
| May, 2003 | Darnell Brown | Juneteenth Day |
| June, 2003 | Dr. William ‘Bill’ Jones | Reflections on Slavery & History |
| July, 2003 | Russell Tippett | Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats, Morgan County |
| August, 2003 | Cathy Nelson | Underground Railroad |
These activities help further MGC’s goals # 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
MGC launched a publishing venture in 2003, starting with the Heritage Cookbook, Vol. 1 (2003); with 2 additional publications in process, As Long As Hearts Remember (a tribute to deceased loved ones) and the Heritage Cookbook, Vol. 2. Numerous other documents are being considered for future publication. In addition, proceeds from the sale of a re-issued 1983 book, Hold Tight to the Hames Episodes of Life in Athens County, by Al Adams, also will benefit MGC.
By publishing manuscripts of special interest to genealogical audiences and to the multicultural community, MGC is generating family and individual pride, presenting neglected history in appealing formats and expanding MGC’s sphere of influence while, at the same time, developing talents and raising funds essential to maintaining the organization’s existence. A committee of a dozen people worked several weeks to solicit recipes and historical data for the book; design, typeset and layout the cookbook manuscript; and arrange, manage and supervise printing, production, distribution and sales of the finished product. Among other things, this endeavor demonstrates the organizational skills available within MGC.
These activities help further MGC’s goals # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
MGC Co-organized in 2002 the Morgan County portion of the Ohio Bicentennial event, the Wallpaper Project, in conjunction with the County’s economic development staff. This project will present in 40 Ohio Counties during 2003 a play about the history of the state, with each localities’ performance tailored to include local history compiled through oral history interviews. This project lacked a Morgan County sponsor until MGC spearheaded the effort.Thirteen MGC members identified 23 appropriate local subjects for interviews, conducted and taped the interviews, and transcribed the tapes within 20 days. The Morgan County productions will take place in McConnelsville and Chesterhill, Ohio, in early November, 2003.
In addition to the stage production, MGC’s efforts will result in several significant oral history interviews being available for future genealogical and historical study in the organization’s research center; and may result in materials for future MGC publications.
This accomplishment demonstrated MGC’s ability to take the lead and co-head a complex, multi-part endeavor.
These activities help further MGC’s goals # 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
MGC Co-sponsored Board Member David A. Butcher’s People of Color A Multicultural Role in History exhibit, February-March 2003, at the Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
Focusing on the ancestors of Mr. Butcher, this exhibit portrayed the contributions of People of Color to the history of the Kilvert, Ohio, area. The exhibit, and associated talks/workshops for school groups and the public in general, was one of the best-attended exhibits at the Kennedy Museum of Art. MGC’s proposal and role in implementing the project demonstrated the organization’s ability to work successfully with an artistic, well-organized and respected cultural institution.
Approximately a year in planning and executing by guest curators David A. Butcher and Al Adams and Kennedy Museum of Art staff, the exhibit also included items from MGC members. Individual parts of the exhibit are being used for temporary displays at MGC’s participation in local fairs, festivals and special events. Further, the exhibit was planned to be a “traveling” exhibit and will be offered to museums and art institutions throughout Ohio and other states.
This exhibit helped further MGC’s goals # 4, 5, 6 & 7
Support of worth-while community initiatives:
- Morgan County’s efforts to obtain $300,000 grant for the village of Chesterhill (2002)
- Kilvert, Ohio, fund-raising Pioneer Days festival and parade (2001-2003)
- Replacement of historic church pews, Kilvert Church of God (2002-2003)
- Chesterhill, Ohio, volunteer fire department parade (2000; 2002; 2003)
- Suggested, and helped organize, revival of village of Rendville’s Emancipation Day/Homecoming celebration (2000, 2001, 2002); keynote speakers and other performers each year.
- Co-organized 2003 Underground Railroad Summit conference, Marietta, Ohio, (November, 2002–October, 2003
)
- Proposed and implemented State of Ohio endeavor to have bicentennial, historical marker placed at Friends (Quaker) Meeting House, Chesterhill, Ohio; and at 5 other locations (2002-03)
- First annual Sustainability (environmental/ecological) Festival, Athens, Ohio, (2002)
- White Oaks bicentennial festival, Barlow, Ohio (June 6-7, 2003)
- Computerized genealogy research at 45th annual Marietta Day reunion (July, 2002)
- Save the Stewart School Complex (3 of 5 officers in the new organization also are on the MGC board) (2002-03)
- Ohio University Central Region Humanities Center’s 2002 application for GIS grant to produce Pathseeker: The Cultural Atlas of the Central Region
(2002)
- Rural Action’s proposed mural project for Chesterhill, Ohio (2001)
- Conducted underground railroad tour of historic, Quaker village of Chesterhill, Ohio, for United Campus Ministries, Athens, Ohio (November 2, 2002)
- Presentation on Thomas Jefferson-Sally Hemings history at Woodson Cemetery, Jackson County, Ohio (July 29, 2000)
- History of Kilvert, Ohio, for Federal Hocking High School class (April 5, 2000)
- Lecture at Ohio University’s Black History Month celebration (February 9, 2002)
- Lectures, Ohio University African American History Class (September-October, 2002)
- Presentations to Ohio University graduate school of Social Work classes about Kilvert’s multicultural history (3 presentations, starting in May 3, 2000)
- Exhibited, spoke and supported 2003 Lett Settlement (family) Reunion, Zanesville, Ohio
This constantly-growing list of activities demonstrates MGC’s abilities to identify and help “make happen” things that are important to our local communities; and it shows our willingness to support critical initiatives by other organizations and individuals. This list includes a demonstrated ability to plan and implement fund-raising, including drive for $800 to acquire historic church pews and podium for future display.
These activities help further MGC’s goals # 4, 6, 7
Presentations to various community, local and state organizations about MGC:
- 15 talks to youth and/or adult groups about People of Color exhibit
- WOUB radio broadcasts: Studio B (March 10, 2002)
- United Campus Ministries’ clean-up volunteers at Kilvert Community Center: A Glimpse at REAL History (April, 21, 2001; February 23, 2002; February 1, 2003)
- Family and Children First Council, Malta, Ohio (July 7, 2000)
- Marietta Headstart School staff: Virtual Reality Trivial Pursuit (September 5, 2000)
- Headstart Parents’ group, Chesterhill, Ohio (February 23, 2002)
- Washington County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society (April 20, 2002)
- 11th Annual Appalachian conference, Jackson, Ohio (October 7, 2002)
- Muskingum County chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society (March 15, 2003)
- Community & Campus Day, Ohio University (March 15, 2003)
- Western Washington County Historical Society: Billy Payton: A Noted Man of Color (January 10, 2002)
- Athens Senior Club, Athens, Ohio (April, 2003) These, and similar, presentations increase awareness of, and interest in, accomplishments of people neglected in history. Consequent benefits include a greater understanding and tolerance of cultural and ethnic diversity that exists in our communities.
These presentations help further MGC’s goals # 4, 5, 6
Presented, in addition to informative monthly membership meeting programs, special programs and events:
- Annual heritage/appreciation dinners (2001, 2002, 2003)
- Summer Chesterhill Oral History Project for new Middle School pupils, June-Sept., 2001
- Indian heritage research by Dr. Byron Stinson (July 1, 2000)
- Tabler family history (early family of color in Rome township, Athens County, Ohio), Kilvert, Ohio (July 3, 2000)
- Lecture/demonstration on African Cloth in Context, by scholar Judy Perani (April, 2002)
- Helped organize tour of historic sites (Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry, Gettysburg) and “ruins” of a West Virginia plantation where prominent local family of color originated (2001)
- Lecture at Whitman Chapel A.M.E. Church, Black History Month program, Belpre, Ohio: Black Eyewitness to history: A Former Jet Magazine Editor Recalls the 1960s Civil Rights Movement (March 3, 2001)
- Lecture for Student National Medical Association, Ohio University: Diversity Beyond Campus An Historical Perspective (February 22, 2001)
- An Evening With History, Abe Lincoln re-enactor and early American music, at historic 1839 Quaker Meeting House, Chesterhill, Ohio (July, 2001)
Newsletters (Quarterly since March, 2001)
This newsletter is our primary method of staying in touch with our members unable to attend regular monthly meetings. A significant portion of the MGC membership lives outside easy driving distance to the meetings; which, in itself, reflects the importance of this organization and its programs. Efforts are underway to improve communications via the internet, i.e., the development of a website to augment current email communications.
These newsletters help further MGC’s goals # 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Videotape, for future production/use, MGC monthly membership programs, presentations by MGC President Al Adams, and activities at various community events. This activity began in June, 2000 and has continued to the present.
These tapings will help further MGC’s goals # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
