Online Erie Hall of Fame virtually in works
Online Erie Hall of Fame virtually in works
by Erica Erwin
erica.erwin@timesnews.com
A trailblazing female journalist, a shipmaster, a master military theorist,
a world-famous composer and an Antarctic explorer.
All were from the Erie area, but their contributions went beyond northwestern
Pennsylvania -- contributions that soon could be memorialized in a virtual Erie
Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame won't be housed in a brick-and-mortar building yet; instead,
the work of local innovators will be showcased online at www.eriehalloffame.com,
through a kiosk in the lobby of Blasco Library.
The idea is to provide an interactive place where children and adults can learn
about the global contributions of local pioneers, said Tom New, spokesman for
local PBS affiliate WQLN-TV, the nonprofit behind the project.
"We all have great stories, and it's time right now that people in Erie start
celebrating those stories," New said.
A governing board of local community leaders will oversee the development of the
hall and the selection of the inductees, New said. The board hopes to select
five people for the inaugural class by the end of January and hold an induction
ceremony in the summer, New said.
Potential candidates include journalist Ida Tarbell, shipmaster Daniel Dobbins,
fighter pilot John Boyd, composer Harry T. Burleigh and explorer Paul Siple, New
said.
The Hall of Fame already has received $3,800 of the $20,000 needed for the kiosk
from the Arts Council of Erie and hopes to receive several other state and
federal grants, New said.
A touch-screen computer in the kiosk will include a database of films, pictures,
sounds and articles about the inductees. The kiosk eventually will travel to
area schools and libraries.
John Vanco, executive director of the Erie Art Museum, one of several local
nonprofits supporting the project, said the Hall of Fame will be a great
educational tool. But it could also have a less tangible effect in improving how
people see Erie.
"It's a surprise we don't already have something like this," Vanco said. "We've
got a local sports hall of fame, but there are plenty of people who've made
achievements in other endeavors in life, and it's about time we recognize them."
ERICA ERWIN can be reached at 870-1846 or by e-mail.
Know a good candidate for the Erie Hall of Fame?
Nominees may represent any career, including education, the arts, agriculture,
business, the military, journalism, literature, science or politics.
Candidates must be people no longer living from the greater Erie area, or who
lived in the area long enough to be characterized as being from it, according to
WQLN.
Nomination forms are available through WQLN, the Erie Maritime Museum, the Erie
Art Museum, the Erie County Historical Society, any Erie County library branch
and online at www.eriehalloffame.com.
Nominations must be received by Jan. 20. Erie County residents may nominate
candidates by completing the form and an essay of between 200 and 1,000 words.BACK | |
