While operating out of temporary headquarters, the Chattanooga History Center is focusing strongly on portable and site-specific programs. Producing programs out in the field-without storage for supplies or shelter from the weather-poses challenges. Nevertheless, it enables us to serve the public now and to test innovative services that can be offered in our new facility.
More Services Now
There's nothing static about our programming these days! It's alive and evolving, with new programs constantly under development in response to school needs, public interest and user demand. We're offering more programming and more variety than ever before. Guided tours, wireless internet lessons, lectures, film discussions, special events, and book clubs are just a few examples of new directions we're exploring.
We get excited bringing history to life for students as they experience our studies in the field. We're thrilled to offer teachers, tourists, and residents more choices in subject matter, whether it's developing debating skills or understanding how Chattanooga engineered its remarkable urban renaissance.
Serving the public as a research resource is an important aspect of our new mission. We get calls almost daily from people looking for information or help in identifying old objects they own. We're asked for information about neighborhoods, people, organizations, past events and objects of every conceivable kind. Callers want to know the significance of their family heirlooms and how to care for them. Sometimes they are looking for a home for one of their treasures. If the item fits our mission, we welcome its donation and accept it for preservation, future exhibition or potential research value.
Even More Access in the Future
We will continue to hone our services while planning our new facility. Another important component will be technology, and online collections access is a goal for the new History Center. By digitizing our collection, we hope to provide the public with convenient access to our artifacts and the knowledge they represent.
Now is a busy and exciting time for us. We hope you're enjoying our current offerings and looking forward to what lies ahead.
