Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406300010
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JAN VERTEFEUILLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Job: Native American interpreter
Specialties: Interpreting customs of indigenous peoples in the years 1720 to 1750 at a separate site in Explore along the river. Will be building a traditional American Indian lodge throughout the summer and, among other skills, will demonstrate friction firemaking and flintknapping - the making of stone tools, arrow points. He also will discuss the American Indians' great respect for "Mother Earth."
Experience: As part of the Nause-Waiwash village from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Abbott is a descendant of the Naticoke-Choptank tribe and has studied - and practices - his ancestors' traditional customs.
Info: American Indians in early colonial days taught the colonists how to survive in the New World - planting, harvesting, hunting and trapping. But the Native American site will be separate from the Explore settlement to reflect the tension between the two groups. Skirmishes between settlers and Native Americans are planned for later this summer, Abbott said.
"My grandfather told me about our people. The reason for doing all this is to develop an understanding and respect for the traditional ways of Eastern woodland peoples."
KIMBERLY BURNETTE OF FLOYD
Job: Interpreter in the Holstine house.
Specialities: Quilting, natural dyeing, basket making, creating candles and soap, cooking, weaving. She'll show visitors her own handiwork - afghans and weaving dyed with local minerals and plant dyes.
Experience: Was historical interpreter for the National Park Service.
Info: Was handed down her great-great-great grandmother's spinning wheel and wanted to learn how to use it. A 90-year-old woman taught her textile arts. Explore has a loom from Franklin County that Burnette uses to weave incredibly labor-intensive pieces.
"There's a revival going on with textile arts. For a while, they were in danger of being lost."
MARY LOU RICHARDSON OF ROANOKE
Job: Interpreter in the schoolhouse
Specialties: Has researched the role of teachers and schools in the pre-Civil War era through old teachers' diaries and historical records. Dressed like a school teacher with volunteer "students," she'll show visitors what classes were like circa 1860.
Experience: Got involved in Explore because of her background in natural history; has also been a teacher.
Info: School was from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an hour for lunch; students were anywhere from kindergarten age to early 20s. Students missed a lot of school because of family responsibilities; teachers were incredibly strict. The use of switches and the different attitude toward discipline are "going to be hard to portray."
"Schools were pretty bare-bones, with maybe one book and a Bible. If kids had a book, it was passed down for generations."
DAN ABBOTT OF ROANOKE:
Job: Native American interpreter
Specialties: Interpreting customs of indigenous peoples in the years 1720 to 1750 at a separate site in Explore along the river. Will be building a traditional American Indian lodge throughout the summer and, among other skills, will demonstrate friction firemaking and flintknapping - the making of stone tools, arrow points. He also will discuss the American Indians' great respect for "Mother Earth."
Experience: As part of the Nause-Waiwash village from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Abbott is a descendant of the Nanticoke-Choptank tribe and has studied - and practices - his ancestors' traditional customs.
Info: American Indians in early colonial days taught the colonists how to survive in the New World - planting, harvesting, hunting and trapping. But the Native American site will be separate from the Explore settlement to reflect the tension between the two groups. Skirmishes between settlers and Native Americans are planned for later this summer, Abbott said.
"My grandfather told me about our people. The reason for doing all this is to develop an understanding and respect for the traditional ways of Eastern woodland peoples. I am trying to honor my ancestors and the traditional ways that exist today. And it gives me a chance to teach."
ALLEN MCGRADY OF CARROLL COUNTY
Job: Interpreter at the main farmhouse
Specialties: Operating the farm.
Experience: Has been an interpreter for the Blue Ridge Parkway; has a forest management degree; grew up on a farm in Carroll County.
Info: Farming at a settlement was extremely labor-intensive. McGrady's day will include morning chores - feeding the animals, milking the cows, working in the fields, hoeing, weeding. Later in the day, he will work on maintaining the fences and buildings. As visitors come by, he will stop and explain what he is doing when possible and let them join in.
"I could give formal programs, but I think it would be more appropriate to do living history. [At the settlement,] we will try to be as self-sufficient as possible."
DANIEL YOUNG OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
Job: Blacksmith
Specialties: Working a traditional blacksmith forge
Experience: Learned blacksmithing on his family's Franklin County farm; has appeared in Civil War re-enactments; worked as a park interpreter.
Info: Some of the nails, hooks, candleholders and other items he will fashion at the forge will be used to maintain buildings in the settlement and some will be for sale at the gift shop. Metal was hard to come by during colonial times, and scrap pieces were used over and over for new items. The blacksmith often was an older or crippled man unable to work in the fields and would barter for wares.
"Back during World War II, you couldn't get the parts. Dad got me started then making parts for the tractors and equipment on the farm. I've been at it ever since."
LAURIE SPANGLER OF ROANOKE COUNTY
Job: Interpreter and animal caretaker
Specialties: Takes care of Explore's animals in conjunction with Mill Mountain Zoo. Also will be an interpreter at the Houtz Barn and demonstrate seed-saving and crop work.
Experience: Works for Mill Mountain Zoo and shares time with Explore, where buffalo and endangered red wolves have been raised.
Info: Oversees the minor-breed animals at the farm - cows, pigs and chickens from breeds that are rare today because they don't produce as much meat or products as today's breeds. Living history museums and historical sites keep these breeds alive. The three-story Houtz barn is where the horses will be housed, hay and corn stored, and the grains threshed.
"After two years of working toward [Explore's opening], it will be interesting to see how it all works out."
SCOTT SPANGLER OF ROANOKE COUNTY
Job: Interpreter in the Houtz Barn and animal caretaker along with wife, Laurie
Specialties: Woodworking with tools from the settlement period, furniture making, animal husbandry, farm work
Experience: Works for Mill Mountain Zoo, been a long-time carpenter and woodworker.
Info: Some of the stools, benches and other furniture in the settlement were made by Scott, who uses his own antique tool collection for the work. Works from felling the tree in Explore's forest through the finished product.
"I've always been very interested in this type of work. Even before I worked here, I was a collector of old tools. It's so hard to find tools of this vintage that are still workable."
by CNB