The movie Brave the Dark is an account between the relationship of Stan Deen and his adopted son Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Deen’. This past January, The New Holland Area Historical Society opened an exhibit so people could learn more about the story behind the movie.

For Nate, Mr. Deen provided him with hope and stability.

“For me growing up was a really hard and tragic time. I experienced a lot of childhood trauma and so when I was 16, I ran away and ended up meeting a teacher, Mr. Dean, at Garden Spot High School in New Holland, Pennsylvania and he helped me through a really hard time and so I met him as a teacher but he became my father really, the father that I so desperately needed in my life, “said Nate Green.

Mr. Deen was a beloved English and drama teacher at Garden Spot High School from 1967-1997. Nate was approached by Steve Lowen to visit the New Holland Area Historical Society Museum, and they decided to dedicate an entire exhibit to Stan. Visitors can expect to see a journey through Mr. Deen’s life and how he impacted so many people through 'The Remarkable Mr. Deen'.

“You'll learn about his childhood, going through school, going to Pasadena Playhouse to become an actor. Always wanted to be an actor but things didn't work out and so he became a teacher back in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in New Holland at Garden Spot High School. You'll get to literally walk into his classroom and see the chairs and his old desk and some of the items that were on his desk. You'll get to see photos of him as a teacher over the years. There's even a stand -up cutout of Stan so you can take a picture. There's just so many wonderful things. You'll get to continue through and see all of the memories of Garden Spot performing arts and the shows that he helped perform direct.”

Nate hopes that visitors take away the importance of small acts of kindness from the exhibit.

“Stan was such a kind person, and he just connected with us and his students and his actors and everyone he encountered. He just truly saw you for who you were and he believed in you probably more than you believed in yourself.”

Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. 

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