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Welcome To My Community Contributions!
This is a collection of unique projects that I have undertaken to provide my services for businesses and organizations in my home community in Preble County, Ohio. I have volunteered my skills to a few non-profit organizations to design and develop innovative ways to generate new income--many of which have awarded thousands of dollars in grant funding, business sponsorships, and private donations.
A majority of these projects have been with the Preble County Historical Society & Nature Reserve based near Eaton, Ohio. This non-profit organization has grown to be incredibly successful in the last few years and promotes history, travel, conservation, and education to visitors from around the country. I have been fortunate enough to work with this organization since 2021 and continue to volunteer my time to them.
Please click the headings below to read more information about the project you're interested in.
An Oral History (Documentary & Podcast Series)
One of my most notable projects at PCHS was the An Oral History documentary and podcast series, which began in 2022. I served as director and producer for three short-form documentaries featuring interviews with individuals who hold significant connections to local history. Each film was produced professionally while maintaining a minimal budget through strategic resource allocation and creative production techniques.
The documentary episodes are available to view at no cost via the YouTube links provided below:
- An Oral History - Elaine Buckler (S1E1): https://youtu.be/PdJcLM7tlJc?feature=shared
- An Oral History - Robert Armacost (S1E2): https://youtu.be/YMJDI0CF-N8?feature=shared
- An Oral History - Barb Cox (S1E3): https://youtu.be/olHe19FdWHU?feature=shared
Thumbnail for An Oral History - Robert Armacost (S1E2). Directed by Jake White. Image: Renown Films LLC
In addition, I digitized and restored dozens of archival audio recordings originally captured on cassette tapes dating back to the early 1980s. Each file underwent careful audio restoration to enhance sound quality, after which I integrated professionally produced intro and outro music to create polished, high-quality episodes for distribution on Spotify. These episodes were made freely accessible to the public. Furthermore, I successfully secured additional funding for the organization by incorporating sponsored segments—narrated by myself—within select episodes.
These episodes are available for free on Spotify and can be accessed via the link below:
- An Oral History (Podcast): https://open.spotify.com/show/0tXQ7ipGbeFm6VYVM07KJC
Historical Society Network (Museum Organization)
In 2022, I collaborated with the Director of the Preble County Historical Society to establish a regional network aimed at fostering collaboration among local history organizations. Our goal was to create a platform through which institutions could share resources, support one another, and advance their collective missions.
An open invitation was extended to historical and cultural organizations across the region, resulting in the participation of six representatives from the Southwestern Ohio area at the inaugural meeting. The network was intentionally structured to support the professional development of local non-profit organizations, with no cost to join or attend meetings. Its mission focused solely on attracting new members and promoting the preservation and appreciation of local history.
Since its inception, the network has grown significantly and now includes over 16 member organizations from across the state of Ohio.
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Discover Preble (Event)
In 2023, the organization was tasked with designing a new and innovative event to attract new visitors and promote travel and tourism in Preble County. It was with this idea that Discover Preble was born. The event was initially thought up as a large-scale game similar to Monopoly, but due to copyright concerns and a drive to be unique, I developed an interactive game in which travelers could visit designated locations around Preble County and collect a code to reveal a hidden historical message. Upon solving the hidden message, travelers were entered into a raffle to win over $1,000 in cash prizes.
Discover Preble location list, registration form, and rule sheet. Designed by Jake White. Image: Renown Films LLC
The event was a resounding success among participants; however, the most significant impact was seen by the Preble County Business Development Partnership. Each of the original 25 designated locations attracted substantial foot traffic on the day of the event, which in turn boosted patronage to small businesses and increased visits to notable local landmarks. Additionally, the Preble County Historical Society secured financial contributions from businesses seeking to be featured as official event locations, as well as from event sponsors. These efforts generated over $10,000 in income, which was allocated toward property maintenance and the development of educational programming.
Preble History Timeline (Website)
One of my most rewarding and personally meaningful projects to date has been my current work with the Preble County Historical Society. In collaboration with local historians, I have been leading the development of a comprehensive database documenting all known historical events in Preble County. The database—now comprising over 2,500 entries—has been meticulously categorized and indexed using descriptors such as time period, global context, and thematic relevance.
I designed and implemented the system for collecting, organizing, and classifying the data, and I am presently developing a user-friendly website to present the information in a visually compelling and educational format. The goal is to make this resource publicly accessible and to distribute it to local school districts as a valuable tool for students of all ages.
Early development image of the timeline website home page. Designed by Jake White. Source: Preble County Historical Society
This initiative was made possible through the America 250 Ohio Grant, awarded to the Preble County Historical Society in 2024. The grant supports innovative uses of educational technology and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence.
The website is set for publication in late 2025 or early 2026. Please stay tuned for updates on the project.
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