The influence that the late Stan Deen had on New Holland - as a teacher, a director, and a member of the community - is well known. Stan, who passed away in July of 2016, founded Garden Spot Performing Arts (GSPA), the Garden Spot High School (GSHS) auditorium is named for him, and, according to Mike Ressler, chair of the New Holland Area Historical Society (NHAHS) board of trustees, "Everybody (who knew him) has a Stan Deen story."

However, it was a chance meeting between NHAHS founder Steve Loewen and Nate Deen, who was taken in by Stan as a GSHS student and on whose life with Stan the soon-to-be-released film "Brave the Dark" is based, that has resulted in an exhibit called "The Remarkable Mr. Deen." The display will take up the main room of the NHAHS Museum, 207 E. Main St., New Holland. No end date has been set for the exhibit. Nate and Loewen were both at a movie at Penn Cinema in early 2024. Their short conversation in the lobby led to lunch and to Nate visiting a car show Loewen organized in mid-July - bringing along the 1973 Camaro Z28 that was used in "Brave the Dark." More meetings and a tour of the NHAHS museum followed. "I said (the museum has) got to do something in conjunction with the movie," said Loewen.

Nate agreed, noting that Stan had done much for New Holland, but that others deserved credit as well. "To honor Stan is awesome," he said. "But there are many in this community (who get involved). That's what I love about this community."

Stan was born in Lancaster, and he graduated from Penn Manor High School and later Millersville State College. Stan had developed a love for theater at an early age, and he moved to California, where he was an actor with the Pasadena Playhouse. Eventually, Stan returned to Lancaster, and he taught at Solanco High School for a few years before moving to GSHS. "When Stan arrived at GSHS in 1967, immediately, he organized a play," recalled Ressler. Working together with teacher Frank Palumbo, Stan founded GSPA. In pulling together artifacts for the exhibit, Nate found multiple comments from ELANCO School District superintendents calling GSPA's most recent production "the best one yet."

"Stan wanted everyone to be involved," recalled Nate, who is now a director as well as a producer but admitted he had no interest in theater prior to meeting Stan. "If (Stan) heard (an athlete) was hurt and couldn't play, he would invite him to be in the show."

Ressler played in the orchestra for GSPA shows both as a student and as a professional musician following graduation. "(Stan) would get some professionals into the mix and the kids would learn from them," recalled Nate.

Loewen was involved in GSPA both before and after the 1976 car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Loewen recalled working with the stage crew when Stan asked him to take over a part for a student who had dropped out. When Loewen said he preferred to stay backstage, Stan visited Loewen's parents to enlist them in persuading him to take the part. Later, during a production of "Winnie the Pooh," a wooden and paper tree was crafted around Loewen's wheelchair so that he could greet children and others in the lobby prior to the play.

NHAHS vice chair Wilbur Horning remembered Stan's legacy of pairing students in romantic roles who then went on to marry. "Many marriages were created by Stan," said Horning, who noted a former New Holland pastor and his wife were cast as the leads in "Brigadoon" and that siblings Hillary and Josh Martin, who took over GSPA several years ago, are the children of a couple that was brought together by Stan.

"The Remarkable Mr. Deen" will include items pertinent to Stan's life with special attention to his influence in New Holland. The camera used by Stan's father in his work for Hamilton Watch will be on display, as will a Christmas tree signifying Stan's mother's love of the holiday. An area is devoted to Stan's GSHS desk, and photos of Stan are placed throughout. Pointing out the differences between his and Stan's backgrounds - Nate has referred to Stan and himself as Barbra Streisand vs. Metallica - Nate noted the large number of photos of Stan as a child. "I have thousands of pictures of Stan," said Nate. "Stan was born in 1937, and I have pictures from his first birthday in 1938. I didn't have a first picture until I was 6."

One area of the exhibit will be devoted to "Brave the Dark" with an actual movie poster and props from the film. "Stan's jacket will go here," said Nate, who added that "Brave the Dark," star Jared Harris wore Stan's actual jacket in the movie. "(Harris) was so honored to wear that," shared Nate.

The NHAHS Museum is open each Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no admission fee. Nate is hoping to provide some group tours when he is available. To arrange for a group tour, readers may call 717-354-2049 and leave a voicemail. Tours will be free, but donations are appreciated.