|
View From The Village
by Michelle Alexander, Director of Interpretation
Westville had two summer interns from Columbus State University's History Department---Vicki Brown and Dirk Ringgenberg. They received course credit from the University and gained instruction and practical work from Westville. While they met with me for instruction and reading assignments on museum education, they also teamed with our interpretive staff for training. Dirk learned the stages of basket-making from Fred Rembert. Vicki learned weaving from Jeanette Greene. Vicki has returned for a Fall semester internship. She is researching Adams Store to improve interpretation there.
Five members of the interpretive staff traveled to Atlanta in July to experience a special event at the Tullie Smith House. They were able to meet other museum professionals and see how another historic site operates and interprets history for the public. They were especially interested in seeing the Tullie-Smith's new period costumes. The Westville staff enjoyed the Tullie-Smith hospitality and also gained a new appreciation of how much Westville has to offer.
Westville’s costuming is being updated (which means it will soon look 150 years old!).
We welcome Bobbie Holland to the staff, who is quilting in the Grimes-Feagin House. Dianne Dillard is a new general interpreter. Major Wright is a new wagon driver, and Jeremy Johnson is a new blacksmith. Kristina Stockdale Swartz will be orienting and making candles. We’re glad to have them all.
|
Westville Hosted Over 2,000 Cyclist Bicycle Ride Across Georgia in June
Most people arrive at Westville in their cars. That wasn't the case on June 17. The dominant mode was the bicycle. In fact, there were 2,004 cyclists that day, as the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia staged a watering and rest stop at the Village.
The cyclists were on a 395-mile trek from nearby Eufaula, Alabama to Savannah via Lumpkin, Americus, Tifton, Douglas, Vidalia, and Hinesville. Some bikers arrived as early as 7am, demonstrating serious biking skills to have pedaled the 25 miles across the mean hills of western Stewart County in such a short time. Others took the more leisurely pace and arrived later, as late as 3pm. Since the event was not a race, arrival times were not as important as the scenery.
That's where Westville came in. Most of the bikers had never been to Westville and therefore enjoyed a brief walk-through. Still, so many people made June 17, 2000 the fourth highest visitation on a single day in Westville’s history.
|
