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the new site. Area pilots also got
involved by volunteering their time and aircraft to fly
over Purcellville to assist in providing “then
and now” aerial photographs. However, the most
valuable and rewarding part of this project has been
the involvement of the community itself. Many local
citizens have offered photographs and stories to
provide the sense of realism and community that Don
envisioned for the new site. Local long time residents
even sat down and allowed themselves to be recorded to
tell their stories of growing up in Purcellville and
their memories of a time gone by. It is these stories
that make this new site so unique; a look back at a
time and a place, through the use of technology, that
draws you in and makes you feel like you have been
transported to another era. It has been the
collaboration of all of these people, through their
generous gifts of time and talent, that has enabled us
to make this vision a reality.
The final challenge has been
assisting in looking at future funding opportunities
for this site. As IT
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leaders, we are all familiar with
the process of defending our projects before municipal
councils and commissions, but most of our area
nonprofits are not familiar with the local budget
processes for community agencies. Even though the first
phase of this project was funded through an anonymous
donation, future funding of enhancements and
maintenance will remain critical to the success of the
site.
The third, and final component of
the pay it forward philosophy is that you help an
individual or organization and they, in turn, help other
individuals or organizations. The vision and the
realization of the thousand mile journey has been a
rewarding experience for all of us who have been involved
in this project. The new web-
site will be completed
in late February and will incorporate research,
informational documents, photographs, sound clips and
many other elements that will provide preservationists,
historians and students with an excellent resource for
their own future projects. However, the most important
legacy of this site will be the capturing of a community’s
history, using technology, to preserve a story that
would otherwise be lost or forgotten over time. As an
IT Director, I feel a sense of pride in being able to
participate in this project and to have the opportunity
to “pay it forward” in the wonderful and
unique town where I live. 
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