One of Johnstown, Pennsylvania's newest attractions, the Johnstown Heritage Discovery Center, offers a unique interactive experience that will create lasting family memories and perhaps even encourage visitors of all ages to delve deeper into their own family histories.

The center's permanent exhibition "Life Through Immigrant Eyes" is not content to be a "look at artifacts behind the glass" type of museum. This is an innovative interactive experience which makes the American immigrant experience of the early 1900's personal and emotionally compelling in a way that books or more stagnant museum exhibits simply can't equal, especially for children.

Upon entering the center, which is housed in the historic 1907 Germania Brewing Company building, guests are asked to pick a bar-coded character card. They can choose between adopting the persona of Josef, a 12 year old Polish peasant boy; Slovakian Anna, age 9 or Prokop, a 29 year old butcher; Hungarian born Katerina, age 30 who worked on a farm before coming to America as did 24 year old Bohemian Andrej; Italian immigrants can relate to 19 year old peasant girl Maria while Mosha, a 36 year old shopkeeper represents Russian immigrants. The characters are compilations but their stories tell what life was like for most poor immigrants arriving in at Ellis Island in the early 1900s.

The memories taken away from the Heritage Center are different for each member of the family, depending on the character card chosen. Your family will no doubt have a lot to talk about when comparing notes afterwards, as everyone leaves with a computer printout summary of how their character's life ended up. Along the way they will experience, interactively, some of the most important events that happened to that character.

The interaction begins with an intimidating encounter with an Ellis Island immigration officer. Visitors insert their character card in the appropriate slot and the videotaped official speaks directly to that character. As you progress through the museum, your character will deal with issues like finding employment to dealing with day-to-day prejudices and hardships as well as joys and celebrations of ethnic life in 1907. Authentic sets, historic photos and multi-media exhibits provide the look and feel of the era, including homes, shops and places of worship.

At the turn of the last century Johnstown, Pennsylvania was at the forefront of the industrial revolution. Thousands of immigrants flocked to the area as companies like Cambria Steel and Bethlehem Steel and the nearby coal mines offered employment and the chance for a brighter future. The Heritage Center tells the immigrant story in a local context, although life was similar in industrial cities throughout the country.

One of the concluding elements of the "Life Through Immigrant Eyes" exhibit is the Generations Theater which features interviews with children and grandchildren of Johnstown immigrants who discuss what it took for their ancestors to build a life in the new world, as well as issues common to second generation immigrants.

There's also the chance for you and your family to become a part of history and share your own personal history through the use of four interactive computers called "History Jukeboxes" which record guests' voices and images. These stories are added to the museum's archives for future reference and to become a permanent part of the immigrant history of America. Anytime you can become a part of history, it's a memorable day!

Getting There Information

The Heritage Discovery Center is located at Broad Street and 7 th Ave in Johnstown. The center is open Monday through Friday from 10AM to 5 PM and from 10 AM to 7PM on Saturday and Sunday. The Heritage Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. For more information call the Johnstown Area Heritage Association at 814-539-1889. You can also visit their website at www.jaha.org .

Accommodations -- The Holiday Inn in downtown Johnstown is offering a special Johnstown Heritage Package. For $99.00 guests receive deluxe overnight accommodations, two tickets to the Johnstown Flood Museum, two tickets to the Heritage Discovery Center, breakfast for two, a welcome gift and unlimited use of the hotel's indoor pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness center. Hotel manager Sam Phillips tells me this price is good at least through January of 2001. Call 800-433-5663 or 814-535-7777 for reservations or more information.

Airlines -- For visitors flying into the area, Pittsburgh is a US Airways hub and the airline also services the surrounding area with commuter flights. Call 800-696-9380 or visit www.usairways.com .

In the Nearby Area:

• Big Surprises at the Back Door Café
• The Ghost of the Eliza Furnace