Welcome to our newest staff member!

My name is Jason Luker and I am the new Programs Coordinator for the Gaston County Museum. I have been in the museum profession for the past 10 years working for different organizations such as the Charlotte Museum of History, the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, GA, and most recently Historic Brattonsville in McConnells, SC. Instead of giving the typical resume rundown, I wanted to share a story from my life that I think highlights the reason why I have chosen the museum profession and what motivates me in my work.

Like most people in this field, I grew up going to museums and historical sites. My mother was the one that made sure our vacations included these historical stops. My father, though interested, was not the torch barrier for these excursions. He mostly went along with them because his wife and ultimately his children were interested. The poor man was outnumbered.

However, my father did participate with me on one memorable trip. This time it was to a lost graveyard. My family line has lived in Alabama since the early 19^th century, moving from the Carolina’s and Georgia as land became available. The first family members to cross into the state were William and Catherine Luker. My father had no idea where they lived or were buried. By doing some research, I was able to determine their burial site. The old church that my descendants had attended relocated and the old cemetery, where William and Catherine were buried, had been abandoned. Surprisingly, my father and I were able to locate the old cemetery in the backwoods of Alabama and there were still a few grave makers visible.

Through this trip, I was able to share with my father all the information I had found out about our family, much of it he had never heard of before. We were connected to our past that day and ultimately better connected to one another.

That is what drives me in my work; connecting people to their past. I look forward to providing programs and sharing the rich history and culture of Gaston County with our patrons. I want their visit to be one that excites their curiosity about the past and gain a better appreciation of those that came before us. It is an honor to join such a wonderful team here at the Gaston County Museum and I hope you visit us soon.