Historical Services

Do you need:

  • A memorable and meaningful historical exhibit?
  • Oral history interviews of your community's elders?
  • Ideas for celebrating your group's upcoming anniversary ?
  • Expert assistance in documenting your organization's history?
  • A book that communicates the history of your company's leaders?
  • An experienced author to help you record your stories and experiences?

Offering a broad range of historical, archival, and records management services, I work with clients to create a variety of products including exhibits, promotional booklets, historical time lines, Internet sites and books. I can help you tell your story in the format that suits you while adhering to the highest standards of historical practice. Other services include archival researches, investigating census records and other documents, and interviewing people about their knowledge of the past (oral history).

I've become a specialist on the topic of my community, authoring ten books of local history. In many ways, Williamsport, Pennsylvania is a microcosm of America. Nearly all of the important elements of American culture and history are reflected in this city's history, and to study its evolution has beenexciting. Williamsport's history has been effected by national figures such as William Penn, George Washington, Benedict Arnold, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Carrie Nation, William McKinley, Richard Nixon, George Bush and George W. Bush. The community has not been immune to the social changes in America, including conflicts with Native Americans, slavery and the Underground Railroad, suffrage, depression, labor disputes and socialism, the rise and fall of communism during the Cold War, and recession.

If you have an interesting company or family history, or would like me to help you compile your family's, your company's, or your town's history into a book, please contact me for a quote. I work with business owners and managers, historical and genealogy societies, as well as individuals. I specialize in small projects, and often welcome the challenge. I have experience in developing books, eBooks, Web sites, photo scrapbooks, video scrapbooks, multimedia projects, brochures, pamphlets, and manuals.

Historical Research

Are you looking for proficient assistance in locating important historical records? Maybe you’re interested in locating photographs, newspaper articles, documents, advertisements, books, or other memorabilia related to your organization's past? Perhaps you would like to find out more about your company’s founder, its responsibility during war and depression, or your original competitors. Using resources from the Library of Congress and National Archives, to the local historical society, I can investigate for you.
Oral History Programs
An oral history program helps others profit from the well-deserved wisdom of the people who built your community, your business, or association. Documents tell merely a piece of any organization's tale. With more than 20 years experience in journalism, I have conducted taped interviews with more than 500 individuals, including executives, media celebrities, officials, policymakers, industrialists, support staff and individuals.
Historical Exhibits
Historical exhibits are not just limited to museums – exhibits and interpretive panels have cropped up everywhere, from parks to roadways to grocery stores and even company headquarters. Exhibits are a wonderful venue for educating, enlightening and entertaining guests. Consider adding a three-dimensional and an Internet-based exhibit that informs the world about your organization.
Heritage Projects
All organizations have a history, however not all have a heritage. Conserve and protect it, endorse and promote it, and earn revenue from it with a project designed for your association. From creating an archive, to conducting oral histories, to designing a corporate history brochure, or a World Wide Web-based historical exhibit, I can assist in documenting the past and influence the future.
Corporate Histories
Successful companies often require brief corporate histories for in-house use; some corporations desire an in-depth book for trade distribution. Perhaps you require a specialist to chronicle and illustrate your company's story for publication. I provide guidance for new or existing book projects needing supplementary or outside help.
Management Memoirs
If your company leader has a forceful story or captivating executive viewpoint to contribute, then consider sharing the secret of their success in a memoir. I am available to write, co-author, or ghostwrite a book or article on any topic.
Anniversary Planning
Perhaps there is an important anniversary impending, a landmark for your organization? Maybe your town is celebrating its centennial or its bicentennial? These events offer the occasion to unify past, present and future into a significant commemoration. If you would like assistance with this event, I can offer as much – or as little – aid as you require for designing for events, publications, promotion and memorabilia.

CONTACT

Robin Van Auken
600 E. Mountain Ave.
S. Williamsport, PA 17702
(570) 326-7872 (Office)
(570) 916-0026 (Cell)
www.RobinVanAuken.com
RobinVanAuken@gmail.com

© 2008 Robin Van Auken