IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS AND REGRET THAT WE REPORT THE PASSING OF RICHARD FORTMAN, FORMER WORLD MAIL PLAY
CHAMPION, AUTHOR, ANALYST, HISTORIAN, AND FRIEND TO ALL.
OUR SINCEREST CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THE FORTMAN FAMILY.
RIP BROTHER, YOU WILL BE MISSED......
| RICHARD FORTMAN |
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| 1915-2008 |
SITE EDITORS
Jay Hinnershitz Liam Stephens
Ken Lovell
WELCOME !!! THIS IS VISIT #
Welcome to the Online Museum Of Checkers History!!
You may be asking yourself what exactly is the OMOCH ?
Please allow us to give you a little background…
The world of Checkers/Draughts recently
suffered a tremendous loss with the destruction of the International Checker Hall Of Fame.
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.
INTERIOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHECKER HALL OF FAME
I, (Jay
Hinnershitz), never had the opportunity to visit the ICHF and see the items collected there.
I began to
ponder to myself as to what was lost, and I also began to ponder what was left…?
Not from
the ICHF, of course, but, what was left in private collections from around the world.
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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.
One in
particular struck me...
“I am so saddened about the Checker Hall of Fame fire that I have
been thinking most of the things which were lost cannot be replaced but if each of us in some way have something of the past,
why do we not collect them up and start new. This might take years to build but if each of us donate
1 piece of history, 1 book like Alex's sixth etc.,etc we could do it in time.
Each donation would have his or her name
placed where it was donated for all to see.
The history of Checkers in some has been forgotten. I do not want to see this
happen just because of a fire. Then some of you have been there to see it. Pictures of Checker Hall of Fame could also be
placed in as a remembrance.
It’s just an idea...
Kim Willis”
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 ?
I had made several posts onto
the ACF forum, mostly with photos and text pertaining to the history of certain books within my collection, and I had 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 took the bold step of contacting the Patriarch of the game,Mr. Richard Fortman, and asked his opinion
of this idea.
"Hello Jay,
Your proposed website sounds very interesting. Should
you go ahead with this , I would be willing to serve as an information source,to answer questions on the games history to
the best of my knowledge.
Let me hear from you as this project developes .
With best regards,
Richard Fortman"
OBJECTIVE
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 of the "TIMELINES" on the site, along with the "LISTS" page, and the
"TOURNAMENT CROSSTABLE" 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 !! You will also 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, where anyone interested can come aboard and discuss the history of our favorite game
!!
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| Earl Hangen (Left), Jay Hinnershitz (Right) |
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| Photo taken Summer , 2008 |
ABOVE, A RECENT PHOTO OF FORMER
ACF MAIL PLAY DIRECTOR EARL HANGEN IN CROSS BOARD ACTION WITH
JAY HINNERSHITZ.
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