JUST FIX A TIME AND TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS!!

    The world of Checkers/Draughts suffered a tremendous loss with the destruction of the International Checker Hall Of Fame on September 29, 2007, due to a devastating fire. 

     

    Fortunately, there were no personal injuries as a result of this devastating event.

    Unfortunately, the building itself was completely lost, along with the incredible collection of Checkers and Draughts artifacts that was housed within its walls.

  

   I, (Jay Hinnershitz), never had the opportunity to visit the ICHF and see the items collected there.

   I began to wonder to myself as to what was lost, and I also began to wonder what was left…?

   Not from the ICHF, of course, but, what was left in private collections from around the world.

   After the news of the loss hit the media, the forum of the American Checker Federation lit up with remembrances, and personal feelings regarding the subject.

   Kim is a well respected American player/organizer, and I felt this was a brilliant idea...but, who would have the time , and the space available to co-ordinate such a project ?

      Prior to the ICHF fire, I made several posts onto the American Checker Federation forum boards, mostly with photos and text pertaining to the history of certain books within my collection, and I received a very good response to these postings, and several fellow ACF forumites began to post some of their own items.

   It became quite clear that Checkers/Draughts players are, indeed, interested in preserving the history of the game. And, with the popularity of my posts on the ACF Forum, it was clear that they enjoyed seeing rare and historic items, be it in person, or online.

 

   I then began to communicate with Mr. Liam Stephens, and bounced the idea of a website devoted to the history of the game.

“ Jay, 
Your proposal to have a website devoted to the history of the game is something very close to my heart. I certainly hope you will do it and if I can contribute any material I would be delighted to do so.”

   I then contacted the Patriarch of the game in America , Mr. Richard Fortman, and asked his opinion of this idea....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS SITE IS TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO ALL CHECKERS/DRAUGHTS PLAYERS THE WORLD  OVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SOME OF THE INTERESTING CHECKERS/DRAUGHTS ARTIFACTS THAT ARE HIDDEN AWAY IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS.

   WE WILL DO THIS BY ASKING FOR SUBMISSIONS FROM ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN SHARING ANY OF THE ITEMS IN THEIR COLLECTION ON-LINE.

   THIS WEBSITE WILL PROVIDE THE STAGE WITH WHICH TO PRESENT THE ITEM, AND THE WORLD WILL BE THE AUDIENCE.

    IF YOU WERE TO SEND US SOME IMAGES, WE WILL FORMAT THEM ACCORDINGLY FOR POSTING. IF YOU HAVE SOME HISTORICAL DATA TO GO ALONG WITH THE IMAGE OF THE ITEM, THAT WOULD BE POSTED WITH IT.         

  IF THE ITEM NEEDS SOME RESEARCHING, WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE CAN, AND THEN PRESENT THE FINDINGS WITH THE POSTING.

     IN THIS WAY, CONTRIBUTORS CAN DISPLAY THEIR ITEMS, AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEM BEING LOST, DAMAGED OR STOLEN. THE ITEMS CAN BE DISPLAYED WORLDWIDE, AND NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE THE OWNERS PREMESIS !!!  

 

   We have also put forth an effort to make this a site of historical information.

   This is being done with the inclusion onto the site of the "CHECKERS/DRAUGHTS TIMELINE" , along with the "LISTS" page, and the "TOURNAMENT CROSSTABLES" page.

   Our goal is to make these timelines, lists and crosstables the most complete ever produced , anywhere, on the game. We are including rare photos and articles, many of which have never been reproduced online before.......and we could use your help !!

   We (Liam Stephens and Jay Hinnershitz) have worked as closely to "eyeball-to-eyeball" as two people an ocean apart possibly can in co-ordinating this project. And with the addition of Ken Lovell as a site editor, the project continues to grow in quality, and quantity !!

   But, if you would like to volunteer some time to assist with this, we would be most appreciative !! If you decide to help, your name would be listed on the homepage "CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS SITE" panel, so everyone who visits will know that you assisted with this project !

  We  also have a FORUM,  http://omoch.freeforums.org/  where you can visit to discuss the game's history and/or the items you see on these pages, or anyhting else checkers/draughts related. There is also a  CHAT ROOM that is open for use by anybody, at anytime.