The best history teachers don’t always work in schools. Some are from all walks of life who actually witnessed an event or lived during an intriguing period of time and tell others about their experiences. Their stories are called oral histories.

The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc. is seeking record the oral histories of area residents on a variety of subjects.  Audio recordings will be carefully archived and then donated to the Plano Public Library System.

"Do you have a story to tell? We want to talk to you," said Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation Co-Director Jeffrey C. Campbell.  "To prepare for the future, children and adults need to learn from the past. These oral history recollections are an invaluable teaching tool and community resource."

The group is seeking to speak to community members on a variety of topics.  Did you ride Plano's Interurban Railway? Did you live in the area in the 1970's when much of today's Plano was farm land? Are you a war veteran? These are just a few of the examples of the types of topics that can be addressed in an oral history interview.

"Everyone has a story, an experience, a recollection to share," said Campbell.  "We are interested in recording oral histories on a wide variety of topics.  Many in our community can speak to little known details of current and past life in this area or may have stories of their experience during a pivotal time in history. Some may think their stories are inconsequential or trivial. But sometimes those tiny bits of information lead to wonderful tales that are a great treasure...hidden gems that we can preserve and share with others."

Those interested in being interviewed can call 972-941-2117 or email info@planoconservancy.org for more information or to set up an interview. Interviews are currently being conducted on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Interurban Railway Museum, which is located in historic downtown Plano. Other appointments may be available by request.

About The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc:
The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., a Texas corporation 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is an organization dedicated to promote civic pride in the past, to increase preservation awareness through education and public outreach, and to provide financial assistance to protect and preserve our heritage resources for this and future generations. For more information, please visit www.planoconservancy.org or call 972-941-2117.

On Friday, July 10, the Interurban Railway Museum’s 10:30 a.m. story time program for children featured author Bridget Renshaw, formerly of Allen. She read from her comedic children’s poetry book “Cornucopia”.

“It was so exciting to come back to North Texas and read at the Interurban Railway Museum,” said Renshaw. “I’m originally from Allen, but have been in Los Angeles for over six years. It’s great to be reading my poems to kids where I grew up and at such a fun, historic Texas site. It’s great there’s a place for kids to have an interactive story time and enjoy a little piece of Plano history. I’m delighted to be a part of it.”

Located in downtown Plano, the Interurban Railway Museum is housed in a building that served as a primary stop on the Texas Electric Railway that ran from Denison to Dallas beginning in 1908. On December 31, 1948, the Denison to Dallas Interurban made its last run.

The station remained closed until early 1990 when a complete restoration of the building was completed and the building was converted into a museum by the City of Plano. The museum exhibit contains many artifacts associated with the Interurban Line, as well as a history of Plano. The museum is also home to the Johnnie J. Myers Research Center.

The Interurban Railway Museum children's story time program is sponsored by The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc.  Story time takes place each Friday at 10:30 a.m. The Plano Conservancy staffs, operates and offices at the museum and has been instrumental in developing and maintaining the museum and its exhibits.

About Bridget Renshaw: Bridget Renshaw spent her childhood in Allen, Texas writing poems, raps and stories from a very young age. She now spends her adult years doing the same thing in Los Angeles, California.   Bridget received an MBA from Texas Tech University in 2008. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue creative endeavors.  Bridget’s first book, Cornucopia, is a collection of quirky, fun and deep poems that she says “is an extension of her childhood heart”. She is thrilled to be sharing this collection with the world. Aside from writing, Bridget has other creative endeavors such as VoiceOver, improv and stand-up comedy. She is currently working on another book of poetry for kids.

Connect with Bridget:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cornucopiabook
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUL9nnb8lm751lAogOs2aZQ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cornucopiakids
Instagram: @Cornucopiapoems
Amazon order page: http://www.amazon.com/Cornucopia-Bridget-Renshaw/dp/1503223418

About The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc:
The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., a Texas corporation 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is an organization dedicated to promote civic pride in the past, to increase preservation awareness through education and public outreach, and to provide financial assistance to protect and preserve our heritage resources for this and future generations. For more information, please visit www.planoconservancy.org or call 972-941-2117

Faith Lutheran Church in Plano presented "We Praise you, O Lord!" Vacation Bible School June 22-26, 2015. Classes were available for 
children three years old through students entering sixth grade.

"This Vacation Bible School program took students on a prayer adventure! Children learned that God always wants to hear from us in prayer.  He 
nourishes us by granting our daily bread of food, clothing, home, family and work.  He also provides for us by saving us from our sin through the 
death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ," said Faith Lutheran Church Associate Pastor Rev. Mark Taylor of Wylie. "Children enjoyed fun 
songs, creative crafts, great games, delicious snacks and learned about Jesus, so that they can go tell everyone about Him!"

About Faith Lutheran Church:
Faith Lutheran Church is a conservative congregation of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ that confesses the teachings of the historic Christian 
church as they are taught in the Bible. Faith Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and has locations in both 
Plano and Wylie, Texas. For more information, please visit 

www.faithplano.org

 or call 972.423.7447

For Ashley Gaudlip, coming back home to Plano to seek a summer internship just made sense.  A 2013 graduate of Plano Senior High School, Gaudlip grew up in Plano. She currently attends Tulane University in New Orleans, where she is studying architecture, preservation and the Classics.

When considering summer internship opportunities, Gaudlip immediately thought of The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., a Plano-based non-profit that manages Plano's Interurban Railway Museum and is involved in a wide variety of community historic preservation initiatives.

Gaudlip won the group's 2013 Norwood M. Brenneke Founder's Scholarship, which is awarded annually to students studying historic preservation, architecture, urban planning, history, archaeology, anthropology or engineering. She applied for a summer internship with the group, and was quickly accepted.

"I returned to the Plano Conservancy because I knew I was going to be home for a good part of the summer, and I knew I wanted to get more experience in preservation," she said.  "I've always been fascinated by history, art, architecture, pretty much anything liberal arts."

The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc. Co-Director Jeffrey Campbell said Gaudlip was a natural fit for the internship position.

"Our scholarship program and internship program give The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation an opportunity to ensure that preservation management and stewardship of our cultural heritage will continue forward in generations to come," said Campbell. "Ashley's interests and experiences made her a perfect fit for this internship experience."

Gaudlip is currently interning at the museum along with Jessica Woods, who is in the graduate museum studies program at the University of Oklahoma.

"As an intern, I get to help out with the day-to-day running of the museum and serve as a docent," explained Gaudlip.  "I also get to help out on special projects and do research.  Currently, I'm working on a manual for incoming volunteers, and both my fellow intern and I have been researching historical photos."

"I love getting to give tours and interact with the children that visit the museum," said Gaudlip.  "They get so excited about everything, and it's such a fun energy to be around.   I also brought my dad along to our recent "Hike Through History" event, and it was really fun having him get to see where I'm interning and be involved with that."

Gaudlip said her parents exposed her to travel and a variety of cultures at a young age, which sparked her interest in architecture, history and culture.

"They really supported that spark and gave me as many opportunities as possible to grow those interests," she said.

When she was in her mid-teens, Gaudlip discovered that some universities offer historic preservation programs.

"Immediately, I knew that's what I wanted to do," she said.  "It fit so perfectly with all of my interests, and ever since I've been working towards that goal of being a preservationist. Choosing colleges, the location and ability to study preservation there was a huge deciding factor.

Gaudlip said Tulane's location in New Orleans offers incredible opportunities to explore community history.

"I absolutely love getting to go out and explore the city," she said.  "For classes, I've been able to tour homes in the process of being restored and visit many historical sites."

Studying historic preservation has caused Gaudlip to appreciate the rich history of the Plano area, too.

"It's definitely made me more appreciative of where I grew up and more aware of everything Plano has to offer," she said.  "I've lived here my whole life.  I didn't realize how much was truly here until I left!"

After graduation, Gaudlip plans to obtain a Master's Degree in preservational studies and work in the field of historic preservation and architectural restoration.

"I would love to restore old buildings, especially interiors, and serve on different preservation projects," she said.  "There are so many  aspects of preservation that interest me, though.  I could see myself doing a number of things within the field."

About The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc:
The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., a Texas corporation 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is an organization dedicated to promote civic pride in the past, to increase preservation awareness through education and public outreach, and to provide financial assistance to protect and preserve our heritage resources for this and future generations. For more information, please visit www.planoconservancy.org or call 972-941-2117. 

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® brought together outdoor enthusiasts across the country on Saturday, June 6, 2015, for the 23rd annual celebration of America’s magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers. More than 2,000 nationwide events took place including trail maintenance, hiking, paddling, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, running, trail celebrations and more.

The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc. hosted a “Hike Through History” event to celebrate National Trails Day®. The event started at Plano’s Interurban Railway Museum and included a 2.3 mile hike through historic downtown Plano, Plano’s Old City Cemetery, parts of Plano’s historic Douglass Community and more.

“More than 100 guests joined us for our “Hike Through History” as we walked through historically significant areas of downtown Plano and the surrounding neighborhood,” said The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc. Co-Director Jeffrey Campbell of McKinney.

A long-standing celebration of America’s magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers, National Trails Day® (NTD) is celebrated in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

For more information about the “Hike Through History” event, please call 972.941.2117, visit www.planoconservancy.org or email jcampbell@planoconservancy.org

About The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc:
The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., a Texas corporation 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is an organization dedicated to promote civic pride in the past, to increase preservation awareness through education and public outreach, and to provide financial assistance to protect and preserve our heritage resources for this and future generations. For more information, please visit www.planoconservancy.org or call 972-941-2117.

About National Trails Day:
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is a nationally recognized trail awareness program that occurs annually on the first Saturday of June and inspires the public to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in outdoor activities, clinics, and trail stewardship projects.  National Trails Day® is a registered trademark of American Hiking Society.

About the American Hiking Society:
Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience.  To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.