THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 10, 1995 TAG: 9509080188
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
LOCAL HISTORY IS important to Pat Hall. And she has become an important part of it.
Hall is the new curator of the Isle of Wight Museum. She's the person in charge of collecting pieces for exhibits, selling the museum to the public and greeting visitors when they come to browse.
Before Hall started her job as curator, July 1, she worked as a docent at the museum.
``I love history and working with the public. I would never like to be in sales, but I do like trying to sell an interest in the museum to the public. The difference is you're not trying to get the public to buy something they don't want.''
Every day is a full schedule, Hall says.
``There's so much to be done. I spend a lot of my time trying to find objects and acquire them. And then, once you get them, you have to take care of them.''
There are several thousand items in the museum's permanent and temporary exhibits, Hall says. A temporary exhibit, with several pieces of 1940 fair memorabilia, is on display until the Sept. 14-17 Isle of Wight County Fair ends.
``We plan to replace that exhibit with another on a local person,'' she says, ``but I don't want to say who it will be on right now.''
She is still collecting pieces for that exhibit.
The number of people visiting the museum varies day to day, Hall says. Some days, no one comes. Other days, as many as 70 people come through.
Museum hours: closed Mondays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Entrance is free, but donations are encouraged. For more information, call 357-7459.
Name: Pat Hall
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? The man I married.
Birthdate/hometown: Dec. 6, 1936. Isle of Wight area.
What's your fondest childhood memory? Daddy reading me the funnies. Going to the Sunday matinee in Smithfield in a pickup truck.
Marital status: Married to Frank for 40 years. Three children: Skip, Mark and Lisa, and six grandchildren.
What was your first job/worst job? As a kid, working in my father's country store/anything boring and routine.
Occupation: Curator of the Isle of Wight Museum.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? I can't think of anything I would enjoy more.
Favorite night out on the town: Out to dinner with friends.
Favorite food/drink: Food, too many favorites/Kahlua and cream.
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? Combination cruise and sightseeing with my husband, Frank.
I can't resist . . . my grandkids.
Few people know that . . . I am really an introvert.
Most embarrassing moment: Couldn't remember a long-time friend's name when making an introduction.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? I'd see to it that my kids got any further college education they wanted.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? Frank's advice is to make a list of pros and cons when having difficulty making an important decision. Mom always said, ``Be true to yourself.''
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? I love my family and life.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? I wouldn't trade places with anyone.
Of what achievements are you most proud? My grandchildren and getting my associate degree in fine arts, magna cum laude, 1990.
A final comment: I wish more people would take an interest in preserving our heritage, learn more about local history and be a part of our museum. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB