On Friday, October 12, noon-1:00 p.m., the Georgia Archives’ Lunch and Learn program will be"Southeastern Railway Museum: Georgia's Transportation Museum” by James Polihronakis, Southeastern Railway Museum Education Coordinator. He will be joined by Lloyd Neal, Museum Assistant Librarian, Southeastern Railway Museum.
 
James Polihronakis’ presentation will focus on the many programs offered by the museum located in Duluth.  The program will include information about trains, historical exhibits, tours, and activities. Learn about the tours offered by the Museum with opportunities for educational field trips and tours, both guided and self-guided, for all ages. All guided tours include a ride aboard a historic train car.
 
After 33 years in the teaching profession, James retired from the Gwinnett County school system. After retiring, he volunteered at the Southeastern Railway Museum, and after a few months, was offered the job of running the education department and coordinating tours as the Education Coordinator for the museum.  For the past four and a half years, he has held this position. Currently, he puts together the museums’ educational programs, runs railroad summer camps, trains staff and volunteers in the education department and gives guided educational tours at the museum.
 
James brings experiences to the Museum from former professional and volunteer positions he has held.  He worked at the High Museum of Art, was a congressional representative at the Statue of Liberty's Centennial Birthday and re-dedication in 1996, and volunteered for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games where he was part of the envoy team for the Australian Olympic Team.
 
After the Olympics, he was an ambassador leader for 10 years for the People to People Ambassador Program. During each year, he selected and trained qualified students on the government, art, and cultures of different countries. In the summer of that year, he took middle and high school students around the globe to visit these countries.