Summer is waning here in Kentucky–the hemp has been harvested, school groups begin their annual visits, and our interns leave Locust Grove after a summer of great work. We’ve had three interns with us this summer, and we are so grateful for their commitment to Locust Grove and all of the help they provided to our research, interpretation, and programs. We sat them down and asked them them about their experiences–read on to meet Carl, Jasmine, and Amy!
- Introduce yourself!
I’m Carl C., and in May 2016, I earned an MA in History from the University of Louisville. In the fall, I will begin the PhD in History program at Northwestern University, where I plan to focus on nineteenth-century U.S. history and the study of American Catholicism. Prior to enrolling in the graduate program at Louisville, I earned a BA in History from Murray State University and taught in the Calloway County School District.
2. What brought you to Locust Grove?
Although a student of the Civil War Era, I have always been interested in the history of early Kentucky and the development of the Ohio River valley. Having received most of my training in traditional history courses, rather than in public history or museum studies, I considered the Cultural Landscape Intern position an opportunity to apply my research and writing skills in a public history setting.
3. What are you working on this summer at LG?
As the Cultural Landscape Intern, I am responsible for collecting and organizing all the available information about the original ~700 acres at Locust Grove. During the first month of my internship, I read the letters included in the Historic Locust Grove Manuscript Collection, visited The Filson Historical Society to view relevant documents, and compiled a list of useful maps. These documents will be used to analyze how Locust Grove has changed over time as well as answer questions about how the Croghans utilized their land.
4. What has been your favorite part so far?
I’ve enjoyed the environment at Locust Grove and meeting new people, including staff, volunteers, and guests. Undoubtedly, I’ve made connections that will continue beyond the timeline of my internship.
5. What do you hope to gain from your LG experience?
I hope to learn more about Louisville and United States history during the Early Republic and antebellum periods. Furthermore, I am excited to gain valuable experience working at a historic site.
1. Introduce yourself!
My name is Jasmine W. and I am a senior history major at the University of Louisville.
2. What brought you to Locust Grove?
Last summer, I completed historical research and that has led me to a new found love for the work. This spring, I had completed an internship at Culbertson Historic Mansion in New Albany, Indiana and wanted to continue working in the museum field in the summer. My professor sent me an email outlining Locust Grove’s internships for the summer and I applied!
3. What are you working on this summer at LG?
I am currently working on researching 19th century smokehouses in Kentucky. I am using this research to create more accurate interpretation plan for the smokehouse. I have also been cross training as a docent!
4. What has been your favorite part so far?
My favorite part has been researching and learning about everyday farm life in the 19th century. Also, giving tours has been enjoyable. I love getting to talk to people from all over with difference interests.
5. What do you hope to gain from your LG experience?
In a broad sense I hope to learn more about museum interpretation. How the research of historians, and museum workers, can be used to create an interactive learning experience for the general public. On a smaller scale, I want to learn about the daily work that goes on a in a museum: working as a docent, event planning, hosting field trips, attending lectures, and interacting with volunteers and the staff.
- Introduce yourself!
I am Amy L. and I have a Bachelors of Arts in History from the University of California at Davis, and a Masters of Arts in History from San Francisco State University. They don’t put it on the diploma, but I can say I passed my comps at SF State with honors!
I was also full time faculty in History at Jefferson Community & Technical College until their recent layoffs (part of the game of Academia, I suppose!) Teaching history at the community college level was my dream job. It was the whole reason I went back for my masters and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
2. What brought you to Locust Grove?
I think I had my first meeting at Locust Grove about a week and a half after moving to Louisville. I have been the Theatrical Director for the First Person Interpreters program since 2013 when I moved here and began teaching at JCTC.
Carol Ely and I had already been discussing the possibility of my interning here over the summer when the JCTC layoffs hit. Having this lined up as my ‘next step’ to beef up my CV definitely made that entire process much easier. Losing a job I really loved and had always wanted to do was pretty devastating, but I had the Grove to catch me and help keep me sane. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without this place.
3. What are you working on this summer at LG?
So many things! My first project was to catalog and tag all the clothing for the Interpreters. I am also working on developing an easily accessible format to host all of the amazing resources and research which has been compiled for that program in the last 3+ years. Both of those projects are being helped along by some other amazing Grove volunteers.
I am also helping with several projects for the 1841 Duel/Timeline Picnic. That includes promotion as well as research and development for two different displays, including one on Louisville and Locust Grove in the 1840’s. I’m having a great time going through all the letters from that period right now. It’s right in the center of the biggest George drama!
4. What has been your favorite part so far?
I’ve spent so long as a volunteer at Locust Grove around my other job, it has been almost unbelievable to get to be here several days a week and really feel like part of the team.
5. What do you hope to gain from your LG experience?
Originally this was an opportunity for me to just get in here and make some things happen the staff didn’t have the bandwidth for. Since then, it’s become an amazing opportunity to beef up my resume and possibly transition into museum work from higher education. The opportunity to get in the hearth kitchen and play around has definitely been an added bonus! I’m still looking for some volunteers to help sew tags into clothing as well as some other upcoming costuming projects- ask me if you want to come sit and stitch!
Our interns are such a valuable part of our summers here at Locust Grove. Thank you for everything you have done for us and stay in touch!
To our regular blog readers, have you joined the Locust Grove email list yet? Stay abreast of all the happenings at Locust Grove by visiting here. We’ll see you at the Antiques Fair on September 25!
Your obedient servant,
Hannah
Historic Locust Grove 