News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Monterey Depot Historical Society is creating a digital database of yearbooks issued by Monterey Nigh School.
Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said they have digitally scanned yearbooks dating back to 1947 to create a free online collection.
“Originally, we thought we could get all of these and just put them in a bookshelf here at the museum,” Cleary said. “Then, we felt well to provide easier access we should just get all of theses, scan them and put them on some sort of platform online so folks can access them anytime they want to.”
Cleary said the historical society purchasing a new scanner has made the initiative possible. Cleary said over the past few weeks, they have collected almost all volumes up to the 1990’s.
“Here at the museum we’re always trying to think of ways to preserve history and highlight important elements of the town their schools, the coal mining, the railroad, you name it,” Cleary said. “This is just another example of that.”
Cleary said a couple long-time Monterey residents have played a large role in collecting the older volumes. Cleary said if any residents have a yearbook from the past 30 years, the depot would like to borrow them for just 10 minutes to scan.
Cleary said they are still trying to figure out how to share the collection online. The 1968-69 year book will not be in the collection due to an interesting story behind it. Cleary said he found out that the high school did not receive a yearbook as a punishment for acting up on a school trip.
