INTRODUCTION

Until a few weeks ago, when I was invited to visit your society, I don't think I realized the extent that an appreciation of the past and tradition has infused my lifetime pursuits. . . and just how often I crawl back into the past for comfort and inspiration. 

I like to think that my overall inspiration is drawn in equal parts from the past, present and future -- as I am a bit of a news and media junkie, am proud of my family's current pursuits, and am tremendously excited by future technologies, science fiction, and what the next day holds. 

It seems however, that no matter what my pursuit ~ recreation - hobbies - education - music ~ I find myself drawing from past experiences in some way.

The Internet with its rapid communication, instant access to the largest library and encyclopedia in the history of mankind, and the opportunity it provides for the creation and display of personal Web pages is a boon for the history buff. 

The Web allows one to collate research information and family photos and documents -- and to share the results on an unlimited number of colourful Webpages. It is a dynamic means of self-publishing -- the display is not carved in stone or stamped permanently on the printed page -- but rather can be updated constantly. 

The Web allows one to put his life in order and perspective, and to share the creation with family, friends, students. . . or the world -- as it is a worldwide audience. And it seems that no matter how mundane or specialized the material, there is someone out there who has some interest in it. Someone, somewhere, is interested in --- or collects -- something or anything under the sun. 

Some of the topics or themes amassed in my quite considerable collection of Webpages include:

HISTORIES (Family, Ethnic, Town, etc.)
PHOTO ALBUMS
JOURNALS
LETTERS
WARTIME EXPERIENCES
VIRTUAL TOURS OF MUSEUMS
EDUCATION PROJECTS
TIMELINES (Biographical and Events)
NOSTALAGIA (Authors, Movies, TV, Old Time Radio, Comics, Magazines, Music, Collectibles, Entertainers. . . )
COLLECTIONS
MUSIC
OTHER CULTURES. . .  TRAVEL. . . THE WORLD

So...
Join me in a whirlwind tour of some of the Web projects that have been a consuming interest since 1996. . . 
 

Part I: A Collection of Manitoba Cultural Websites
http://home.westman.wave.ca/~hillmans/dossier1.html MUSEUMS

Commonwealth Air Training Plan WWII Museum

XII Manitoba Dragoons & 26 Field Regiment RCA Museum

Brandon Mental Health Centre Museum

Manitoba Agricutural Hall of Fame

Special Theme Museums of Manitoba

Wavies of Hope Dragon Boat Team

PHOTO ARCHIVES

Brandon Photo Archive: The Great War Years

Bill Hillman's Colour Photo Archive of Brandon

A Photo Tour of the Wheat City

COMMUNITIES

Evolution of the Strathclair District

Pukatawagan: A Northern Cree Community

Part II: Entertainment Media Sites 
http://home.westman.wave.ca/~hillmans/dossier2.html

• Bill and Sue-On Hillman: A Musical Odyssey
• Edgar Rice Burroughs Online Encyclopedia
• Bobby Curtola Library of Rock 'n' Roll History
• Official Site of Hollywood's Penny "Blondie" Singleton
• The Russ Gurr Story
• Zane Grey Tribute Site
• The Guess Who: Chad Allan Years
• Bill and Sue-On Hillman Eclectic Studio

83 Hillman Songs Online

Part III: Military History and Remembering WWII
http://home.westman.wave.ca/~hillmans/dossier3.html

• Memorial to W. G. Campbell and the Crew of R.C.A.F. Lancaster KB879
• Hillman Photo Journal of H.M.C.S. Prince Robert
• AS YOU WERE . . . A Monthly Webzine of WWII History and Nostalgia
• SHORT BURSTS: The Official Monthly Webzine of the RCAF Ex-Air Gunners Association
• Edgar Rice Burroughs: Oldest WWII Correspondent
• Hillman Tributes and Memories of WWII Features
• Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
• XII Manitoba Dragoos and 26 Fd. Regt. RCA Museum

Part IV: Education Projects and Resources
http://home.westman.wave.ca/~hillmans/dossier4.html

• William Hillman BU Homepage: Student References ~ Student Webs and Online Portfolios ~ Meet the Prof
• Hillman Masters Thesis Project Highlights
• The Hillman Pukatawagan Project
• Telecaster Journal Entries
• Geography of Manitoba: Its Land and Its People ~ (Hillman chapter commissioned by the BU Geography Dept.)
• Education Web References