It was spring of 1993. I had called Old World Wisconsin regarding
openings for historic interpreters from the payphone outside of my apartment in
France. A couple weeks later and still
jet-lagged from just returning from my stint at EuroDisney (now Disneyland
Paris), I believe I was late…or nearly late to my interview as I could not find
the hidden driveway before the railroad tracks. After spending months in Paris and being the
ripe old age of 24, I was certain there was not any way my interview for museum
work could be down this winding driveway amid the forest edge and wild marshy
growth… I parked the car in front of
this old cottage-like looking house. “This can’t be right”, I thought. As I walked towards the door, I must have
looked bewildered. A kind gentleman greeted me at the door and I started a down
a path I could not have envisioned…
Oh…the things I have learned over 20 years…far too many to
list all of them here. I will however share 20 of them with you…
20.
Do not be afraid to try something out of
ordinary. You might be surprised that it is really a good fit.
19.
Being a lady is hard work. There are often many
layers and one may never slouch.
18.
Wearing 19th century clothes REALLY
is fun…even if it is muddy.
17.
Washing muddy 19th century clothing
is not fun.
16.
Old houses WILL tell you stories, but you have
to know how to listen to them.
15.
Wisconsin is a beautiful place… Don’t take for
granted where you grew up. It IS a special place with an important story.
14.
When learning to cook on a wood burning cook
stove, the first important lesson is learned when you burn something you are
baking beyond recognition.
13.
Cleaning the pan after you have burned said food
with 19th century style tools is the second important lesson
learned.
12.
To truly understand national history, one needs
to study local history.
11.
When working at a living history sight, ALWAYS
expect the unexpected. You never know when you may find oxen in your garden.
10.
There is something very magical when you witness
someone “seeing” history in a different light for the first time. Suddenly, the past is not merely something
one reads in a book…it is all around us to be experienced with all of our
senses.
9.
Coffee made on a wood burning cook stove is one
of the best things in the whole world.
8.
Some of the tastiest meals are prepared on a
wood burning cook stove, and it does not take 20 years of practice to get the
hang of it.
7.
Ladies, never believe that women did not
influence history. Studying our roles in society, the tools we used, the
clothing we wore, the food we prepared, the relationships we maintained, and
the activities we chose as a pastimes help define human history. Without our
story, only ½ the story can be told.
6.
Children can be engaged and entertained by
history. Let them experience it.
5.
Working in Living History is a gift. The opportunity to teach and to learn is equal and incomparable.
4.
Material culture is not a novel subcomponent of
history. It is essential to understanding the past. With that understanding, we
are able to understand the present and ourselves.
3.
The modern world is a good place to be. Ultimately, modern plumbing makes drinking
coffee made on a cook stove much more pleasurable.
2.
When speaking with the public, always remember,
you never know with whom you are speaking. Influential people come in all
shapes in sizes. They may not always be celebrities, authors, politicians, professors,
or someone dressed in fancy clothes…they may be person standing right next to
you. Listen and observe. You may have the opportunity to see the world through
different eyes.
1.
You will not become wealthy working in Living
History. You will become rich beyond imagination with experience… In these 20
years, I have forged some of the most important and long lasting friendships
and relationships in my life. The museum
and my experiences there have forever influenced and shaped my life. ….for that, I am DEEPLY and FOREVER grateful.
Yes, as soon as I shook the hand of Marty Perkins, that kind gentleman
who greeted me at the door, I knew I was at the right place. I knew I belonged
at Old World Wisconsin; I did not necessarily know that I would still be saying
that after 20 years.
