THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606210243
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: 20 QUESTIONS
SOURCE: PHYLLIS SPEIDELL
LENGTH: 91 lines
As education coordinator for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, Dina B. Hill is used to answering questions. But the one that always brings a smile is, ``How did you get involved with the wrong ship?''
The Monitor, the Union vessel that took part in the Civil War battle of the ironclads in Hampton Roads, now lies on the ocean floor 16 miles off Cape Hatteras. Hill, a Norfolk native who lives in Rescue, in Isle of Wight County, has been involved in efforts to research and recover the Monitor almost from the time of its discovery by a Duke University research vessel in 1973.
A degree in history from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and a deep love of archaeology led Hill to a job with the North Carolina Division of Archives and History and, ultimately, to the Monitor project.
Hill usually spends part of her summer living on Hatteras and working with teams attempting to bring up artifacts from the sunken ship. The 230-foot depth of the ship's resting place rules out most conventional diving methods, so the recovery work is done from a four-person mini-submarine.
``That makes it very difficult to retrieve anything,'' Hill said, noting that the team spent the last field season attempting, unsuccessfully, to bring up the ship's propeller.
Since the sophisticated diving equipment will be unavailable, Hill will spend this diving season landbound. ``Even though we will not be doing any actual diving, we will be busy with heavy duty planning for future research at the site,'' she said.
Hill's leisure hours are grounded in more land oriented projects. She and her husband, Curtiss Peterson, are restoring their 100-year-old home originally built by local boat carpenter George Johnson. ``We are trying to put it back to its early farmhouse style, and we are looking for people who can tell us more about the house and Johnson,'' she said.
Classifying herself a very serious gardener, Hill relaxes by tending her butterfly garden and herb garden. This year's project list includes a native fern garden and an enlarged fishpond at her home.
What brought you here? I was born in Norfolk and moved away for a number of years. When we had the opportunity to come back to this area, we wanted to live in a rural environment, and Rescue provided that.
Birthdate? Nov. 2, 1943.
Marital status/children? Married to Curtiss Peterson. One child, Tom, a computer engineer in Charlotte, N.C.; and one stepson, Ross, who graduated from Florida State University in May.
Pets? Lots! Hezekiah, my husband's golden retriever; Nikomis, a malamute/black lab mix; Gabrielle, part Finnish spitz; and cats, Paddington Bear, Hobbs, and Trog. Also Monkey Face, a stray cat who is a part-time resident.
First job/worst job? Baby-sitting. Taking care of someone else's child is difficult.
Occupation? Education coordinator for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, which is part of the National Marine Sanctuaries Program, administered by the National Oceanic and Atomospheric Administration. My office is at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News.
If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? I really enjoy what I do with the Monitor Sanctuary, but being the librarian at the Mariners' Musuem would be great.
What is you favorite hangout? My butterfly and herb gardens.
Favorite night out on the town? Anything with my husband.
Favorite food and drink? Chinese or Thai food and all kinds of tea.
Favorite movie or TV show? Old movies, particularly Hitchcock and anything with Bogart.
Book you wish everyone would read? ``Silent Spring,'' by Rachel Carson.
Ideal vacation? Anyplace with museums and research libraries.
I can't resist - chocolate.
Few people know that I - would love to write novels.
Most embaressing moment? Attempting to give a public presentation with a faulty video setup. Nothing worked except for occasional rude noises from the videotape, and I was left to improvise for an hour.
If you won the lottery what would you do/buy? I would buy a large piece of property and establish a wild bird rehabilitation center.
What is the best advice you have ever been given and by whom? My eighth-grade history teacher, Donald Miller, told me that I should think about a field involving history as a career because history is a constant source of information and insight. He was right.
If you could trade places with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why? I am happy with where I am and what is going on in my life, but I would trade places for a little while with any of the archaeologists working in places like Israel or Egypt, where ancient sites are being discovered.
What achievements are you most proud of? Raising a child who is well adjusted and respectful of the Earth. And being involved in work that has been and is being done in the Monitor Sanctuary. Years from now, my descendants will see my name associated with that work and know something about my interests and contributions and will therefore know something about me. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Dina B. Hill is the education coordinator for the Monitor National
Marine Sanctuary. by CNB