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The Willa Cather Foundation needed a site to help recruit members, engage and retain existing members, and to help reach out to a younger demographic. The site collectively promotes Willa Cather, the Opera House, Red Cloud community, and the Nebraska prairie about which Cather so fondly wrote. Pickering’s design features rich, earth-tone colors coupled with a scrolling image of the prairie. The website utilizes a Content Management System (CMS) that allows the organization to update various aspects of the site such as news stories, event calendars, and newsletters. In addition to having a perpetually updated site, a user login allows members to access special information for members only. An interactive book was added to the site, letting visitors flip through pages and experience Willa Cather’s writing first hand.
Interactive Book
The website features interactive books, letting visitors flip through pages and experience Willa Cather’s writing first hand.
Interactive Photo Gallery
The Willa Cather Foundation website employs an interactive photo gallery featuring hundreds of photos of Red Cloud, surrounding areas, and historical locations. The gallery is navigable through mouse scrolling and creates a fun and intuitive way for visitors to explore.
Newsletter Archive
A newsletter section archives current and previous foundation newsletters. The newsletters can viewed by table of contents and downloaded via PDF. The three most current newsletters are reserved for Cather Foundation members only.
Online Bookstore
All of Willa Cather’s books and writings can be purchased directly through the website. The site allows visitors to search for books as well as to change the order in which they are displayed.
Online Guestbook
The interactive site includes a guestbook permitting visitors to sign in as well as to place comments about their experience with the site and Cather’s writings.
Newsletter Archive
Visitors can view current and past e-newsletters from the foundation and can sign up to receive it on a monthly basis.
Online Donation Form
As a foundation, financial support through donation is imperative. Visitors can easily complete a form and make an online donation to the foundation.
Membership Form
The Willa Cather Foundation has a large and vibrant membership. Becoming a member of the foundation not only supports the foundation, but also gives members special privileges, some of which can be accessed through the site. Visitors can simply sign up for membership via the website.
Events and Attractions
The website showcases the many activities in Red Cloud, Nebraska, such as accommodations, restaurants, shopping, and recreation. Additionally, a sidebar displays a member login, featured item, upcoming events section, and e-newsletter sign up.
Virtual Tour
Visitors can take a virtual tour of some of the historic monuments connected to Cather and featured in her writings. These tours feature detailed floor plans as well as photo galleries.
Annual Reports
The foundation produces annual reports each year that can viewed and downloaded. The reports are searchable and display a table of contents.
Selected Readings
Many of Cather’s writings are available to read directly on the site. Visitors can experience the author’s writings firsthand and can also visit The Willa Cather Archive for more complete versions.
Events
Visitors can stay current with the foundation’s happenings located in the events section. The section features a color-coded calendar displaying conferences, exhibitions, and Opera House events.
