Easy to Lose; Hard to Win: the Nebraska Checkers Association Exhibition
Checkers has been played since ancient times – the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all enjoyed the game. Throughout modern history, the game has evolved with checker games have been depicted through various art forms, and increasingly technical books have been published regarding strategies and rules for the game. Now a little slice of this amazing history will be on display at The Durham Museum from September 26-November 1, 2009. Come and explore this common, yet captivating pastime and learn about Nebraska’s contributions to the game. The Nebraska Checkers Association was established in 1898 and holds checker tournaments throughout the year. Artifacts from the association’s history will be on display along with Checker Hall of Fame member profiles and written history. Visitors will have a chance to try their hand at the game using the exhibit’s interactive checker boards.
Dave
Stovie basically put this exhibit together and he said it took
him over two years of pr work to convince the directors and curator
of exhibits and collections at Durham
Museum that the Nebraska Checkers Association would measure up to
their expectations. Dave said he had 1,000s of hours and more
dollars than we wanted to keep track of in this project. He plans to
take several group of checker players down to Omaha so they can see
and learn about Nebraska’s contributions to the game. This
exhibit "Easy to Lose; Hard to Win: the Nebraska Checkers Association
Exhibition" is displayed under the Temporary Exhibits which means it
will be only available for a short time.
Copied from their website:
“The Durham Museum is proud to serve
as the steward of Omaha's heritage. Omaha's past is rich in American
Indian culture as well as the pioneer spirit found in the Lewis and
Clark expedition and the Mormon movement west. One of the most
significant events in the development of Omaha into a thriving
metropolis was its location as the eastern terminus of the
transcontinental railroad.
The Durham is
the heartland's first museum to be affiliated with the Smithsonian
Institution, and it also has strong ties with the Library of
Congress and National Archives.”
They have so many displays, exhibits, and historical things, there
is a premium on space and time, therefore any exhibit has a
lifeline. They are continuously changing and offering new things and
this is true with the checker exhibit which will be available
September 26 - November 1, 2009.
Don Deweber, Dubuque, Iowa told me he had contacted the Museum and
they confirmed this project would not have materialized if Dave
Stovie had not work closely with the Museum and provided materials
and information. The museum staff further researched and embellishes
the exhibition to fit their motif and requirements.
Dave has also established a permanent checkers museum display and exhibits at Nebraska's Great Plains Central Prairie Museum in Holdrege, and W. Dale Clark Public Library in downtown Omaha as well as helping with the above Omaha's Durham Western Heritage Museum.
Dave Stovie email is
necheckers@q.com
telephone: 402-391-5165
Thank You Dave, You Make Checker Players Proud!
The Durham Museum logo is a registered service mark of The Durham Museum. ©2009 The Durham Museum. All rights reserved.
July 22, 2007 - Midland World-Herald -"Checkers hobbyist honors game's elite"
August 4, 2007 Midland World-Herald - "Museum receives checkers material"