History of Directory - The RT/ TR Directory for Careers and Connection

1995–1997: Beginnings and Early Growth

12-28-95 – TR Directory goes online.
1-14-96 – Counter added to track visits.
1-28-96 – TR Directory redesigned with easier navigation.
2-19-96 – TR Said, RT Said bulletin board opens.
3-5-96 – First Internet award: “Best that’s Newest on the Net” by NBNSoft.
3-11-96 – Listed on major search engines.
9-8-96 – e-menToR program started (later discontinued).
10-22-96 – Live chaTRoom opens.
11-7-96 – Charlie Dixon receives WVTRA Fellowship Award for enhancing Internet communications.
11-11-96 – TR Said, RT Said expands with 23 topic boards.
11-20-96 – Site-wide banner navigation added.
1-28-97 – Awarded 3-star badge by Mental Health Net.
2-25-97 – Voted “Hot Site” by users; Starting Point features it as a Reference site.
7-20-97 – Jeff Mansfield’s WWW Recreational Therapy Home Page merges with the Directory.
12-23-97 – Technology and Ethics bulletin boards added.

2-15-98 – Main page redesigned with navigation frames.
10-31-98 – Moved to new server and URL: www.recreationtherapy.net.
11-1-98 – Automated address book installed.
12-4-98 – Site facelift: new design, backgrounds, fonts.
12-22-98 – Internship Directory and TR Mail List automated.
1-10-99 – Conference/workshop page automated in calendar format.
2-14-99 – Recreation Therapy Listserv launched (sponsored by compuTR/compuTRnet).
2-15-99 – New links database replaces older link pages.
2-21-99 – Digital greeting card program launched (later updated in 2008).
11-1-99 – Awarded StudyWeb Excellence Award.
11-8-99 – TR Said, RT Said bulletin board revamped.

1-18-00 – Site makeover; banner ads introduced to support free access.
3-1-02 – New links directory added.
11-1-02 – Jobs page returned to TR Directory; free ads replaced by paid ads.
11-08-02 – Rehabmall ads replaced with TR Directory banner ads.
10-4-04 – Received ATRA’s “Organization or Institution Award.”
2006 – Contributed $1000 to the Recreation Therapy Medicare Project.

10-07 – Charlie Dixon named ATRA’s Outstanding Professional of the Year.
2-20-08 – Major site makeover with a new FLASH design.
3-1-08 – Recreation Therapy articles database added.
3-3-08 – Recreational Therapy Blog launched with guest bloggers.
3-18-08 – TR eCards completely redesigned with new features.
11-19-08 – Directory moved to new server at host4u2.com.
1-1-09 – New jobs program installed.
3-24-09 – Quantcast reports 22,000 monthly visitors (mostly educated females).

3-08-11 – Jobs program reverted to old version for user-friendliness.
9-2-13 – Charlie Dixon awarded ATRA Distinguished Fellow for contributions to recreation therapy.

2017 – Danny W. Pettry and Rec Therapy Today take over operation of the TR Directory.
Sept 2025 – Launch of a new website design, modernizing the look and functionality for today’s recreational therapy professionals.