Meet the Volunteers: Linda and Ariel volunteer in Hangar One (the Vietnam Hangar) every Wednesday.
Ariel (left) and LInda (right) volunteering at Hangar One.
Where are you from?
Linda – I was born in Arkansas, my father and husband are both military, but I call Georgia home now.
Ariel – Southern Indiana.
How long have you been volunteering at the Museum of Aviation?
Linda – Close to four years.
Ariel – Close to a year, I started last September.
What made you decide to begin volunteering here at the Museum?
Linda – I’ve always been close to the military and my husband was a mechanic in the Air Force so I’ve always been interested. I also like people!
Ariel – I am an anthropology major and I hope to work in museums after I graduate. I wanted to gain experience and be more involved in the community.
What is your favorite part about volunteering?
Linda – The people! Meeting different and interesting folks.
Ariel – All the people I meet coming in, especially the Veterans. Also working with Mrs Linda…she’s a hoot!
Do you have a favorite plane here?
Linda – F-15 because my husband used to work on it. They’re very pretty airplanes.
Ariel – SR-71 [Blackbird]. Its so cool; its humongous!
What is an unusual or unexpected thing that has happened to you while volunteering?
Linda – A big black snake came out in front of the Vietnam Hangar while we were volunteering one day.
Ariel – When I first worked here I was interested in the veterans who come in and tell their stories, I didn’t expect them to share so many. I think its important to be the receiver of those stories.
What are some of your hobbies?
Linda – I like to read, I love music almost any kind.
Ariel – I am an avid reader, I read at least two books a week. I’m a major history buff.
Where are you originally from/What do you consider your hometown: My parents are from Maryland, and I currently live in Baltimore (I am visiting GA for the summer), but I have moved about 12 times. The longest place I have ever lived was in Belgium.
Educational background: I graduated from Yokota High School in Japan, did my first year of school in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, but now currently attend University of Maryland Baltimore County.
What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy or what do you do in your free time: I was an avid tennis player in high school, but now spend a lot of time blogging, taking photos, and spending time with my friends at my University.
How long have you worked at the museum: A couple months last summer, and this week is my first week back.
What does your job involve: I am here to run social media for the museum, such as Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and hopefully start an Instagram soon!
If you were not working here at the museum, what kind of job would you like to have: I have two jobs at my school I would normally be working, one as an Event Programmer and another at the Print and Design Center on campus. In the future, I would love a job in social media and marketing.
How does being a museum intern change your experience when you visit other museums: I have a better idea of what the process is in running a museum, especially with the experience I had last summer as a volunteer in the Vietnam Hangar. I also take more time to appreciate the things donated from those outside the museum, and the personal stories behind artifacts.
What is your favorite aircraft and why: I am a huge fan of Thunderbirds. My family was stationed in Las Vegas, and Nellis Air Force Base is very well known for their Thunderbirds and air shows.
My name is Hillary. I am the Marketing Intern for the museum this summer and I have a confession. Before I came to the museum for my internship, I had not actually visited the different exhibits since elementary school. Because I lived about half of my college career looking through a camera lens as a photography minor, I was excited to explore and reexamine my hometown museum using my camera. These few photos were taken using a longer exposure time, allowing for brighter and crisper pictures in the darker exhibits without having to use a flash. Once I found a few images I liked, I used Photoshop to make some of the colors within the image brighter and more saturated. If you visit the museum this summer and you see a young woman awkwardly holding a 5-foot tripod in one of the exhibits, be sure to tell me “hello!”
Where are you originally from/What do you consider your hometown: I am from Perry, GA.
Educational background: I graduated from Perry High School in 2009, and now I am studying history at Boston University.
What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy or what do you do in your free time: Cooking, I love watching Bones and CSI, bike riding.
How long have you worked at the museum: About 2 months.
What does your job involve: A lot of things: photographing artifacts, helping take down and put up exhibits, other miscellaneous tasks.
If you were not working here at the museum, what kind of job would you like to have: I’m really not sure, but I would love a job that allows me to travel a lot, or one that lets me study and/or teach lesser-known parts of history.
How does being a museum intern change your experience when you visit other museums: I think about how much work is put into creating an exhibit, especially in finding a balance between providing too vague and too detailed information.
What is your favorite aircraft and why: The SR-71 Blackbird. I just love this plane. While I have been here I have been doing research on the different aircraft that are here at the museum, and that’s how I learned about this one. I just find its capabilities so impressive, and I love the look of it.
Emily Willis is an undergraduate student who has been interning with us at the Museum of Aviation for the past few weeks. Here are a few of her thoughts about that time:
Anyone who can stop right now and say that they knew what thy wanted to be once they graduated high school has my envy. From childhood, my “what I want to be when I grow up” speech has never been consistent. I have gone through actress, district attorney, librarian, author, secretary, teacher, and now finally (as my senior year of college is fast approaching) I have decided on museum curator.
Emily Willis
But of course, there was a lingering bit of doubt: What if I changed my mind again?
I had an internship lined up for the second summer semester at GeorgiaCollegeand StateUniversity, but it was in the archives/special collections department of our school library, and that’s not quite the type of museum work I could envision myself doing. Also, due to the way our school schedules fell, I had two whole months before I could even begin that internship—and that was two months I felt were going to be wasted doing absolutely nothing.
I wanted to make use of my time. In doing so, I took a gamble, and emailed the curator of theMuseumofAviation, not expecting anything to come of it. Imagine my surprise when I received an email back—opening up a dialogue that would eventually lead to my interning here!
Curator Mike Rowland and Intern Emily Willis talk about an artifact.
I had no idea what would lie before me—what would be required of me—but it didn’t matter. I was going to be an intern, and suddenly the few months in between spring and summer semesters didn’t seem to be worth dreading after all.
And I was right.
From the moment I stepped foot into the Heritage Building at the Museum of Aviation, I have felt right at home here with Mike, Bill, Arthur, and Mark. My experiences have been numerous: from assisting Bill and Arthur with the placement of the insignia on the Tuskegee Exhibit, to figuring out how to work a demo Vulcan 20mm cannon with Bill, assisting Mark with exhibit signs, and helping Mike by examining artifacts to consider for de-accessioning. But the satisfaction I feel and the smile on my face that I come home with, tells me the same thing: this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I’ve learned so much in these two months, that it’s hard to believe it’s just been that short amount of time. When I return to a classroom setting for my senior year of college, I feel as though I will be light years ahead of my fellow public history classmates—I feel experienced and knowledgeable, as though I’ve been here for so much longer than the beginning of May. Suddenly I feel as though I understand my public history classes that I’d taken for the last two semesters, as though all the information that I had absorbed finally found its right moment to click on.
Emily, wearing a replica World War II era parachute, serves as a stand in to test lighting for photos at the Museum.
Something that I’ve always known in the back of my mind—which is why, I tell myself, I sent that first email here to Mike to begin with—is that life is all about theory and practice. Both are needed to be successful, but up until now, I was only seeing the theory, the intellectual side. In a classroom, I could sit there with other students and talk about the theories behind preservation, about how to properly conduct business, how to correctly de-accession and accession artifacts into a collection, and how to put an exhibit in place. The intellectual framework was in place, but there was still that gap in between theory and reality and that gap was what my time at the museum has helped to fill. What I have learned here at the museum is the practice—the process of going beyond the intellectual means of simply telling and actually doing, while still keeping the theories in mind. Mike, Bill, Mark and Arthur have taken me under their wings and taught me more than any textbook or guest speaker will ever be able to communicate in this regard. They have been here to answer any questions I have had, to help me to think outside the box, to show me just how many hats they all wear and how flexible I will have to be. For that, I will always be eternally grateful.
I leave in a few days, and while it is a sad thought, there is a sense of pride behind that sadness.
I go into my senior year feeling more confident than I think I have ever approached a semester at college; knowing that these two months spent with the Collections Department have been the most valuable moments of experience I have had thus far.
And I know that when I leave, I will miss them all.
Bill Paul is the Collections Manager here at the Museum of Aviation. Aside from being a staff member at the Museum from its inception, Bill is one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to military aircraft and related equipment. Enjoy this latest installment of Meet the Staff!
Bill Paul
Job Title: Collections Manager
Where are you originally from/What do you consider your hometown: I was born and raised in Warner Robins. My dad came down in 1953 from the Athens area to take a job as an aircraft mechanic on base and decided to settle down here.
Tell us a little about your educational background: I graduated from Warner Robins High School in 1976. I’ve taken additional courses through Macon State College and museum specific courses through the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation at Mt. Carroll, Ill. I’ve also taken museum related training through the U.S. Air Force and the Georgia Archives
What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy or what do you do in your free time: When I’m not taking care of things around the house, I enjoy building models and motorcycling.
How long have you worked at the museum: I started as a volunteer in February of 1981 and became an employee in January of 1983.
What does your job entail: My primary job is to care for the Museum’s artifact collection. When an item comes in I identify, record and catalog it in preparation it for exhibit or long-term storage. I work with the exhibits team in preparing exhibits by giving by suggesting specific artifacts to use, advising them on “museum safe” materials to use and helping to design and build mounts for the artifacts. I also help with research for exhibits. Over the years, I’ve probably been involved to a small degree in just about every function out here.
If you were not working here at the museum, what kind of job would you like to have: I’ve been at this so long it’s hard for me to imagine doing anything else.
How does being a museum employee change your experience when you visit other museums: I find myself paying more attention to the mechanics of an exhibit than I use to—how the mounts are made, what materials are being used to line the case, what font is used in the text panels, what lighting is installed and so forth. I also have a greater appreciation of what the staff went through to create the exhibit.
What is your favorite aircraft or exhibit at the museum and why: I really don’t have a favorite. Each aircraft and exhibit is unique; telling its own story, yet each one is important and contributes to our telling the overall story of the history and mission of Robins AFB and the US Air Force.
Its time for another Meet the Staff post, this time featuring Karen Ross. There are plenty of exciting events that happen here, and often these serve as a gateway to introduce people to the Museum’s other services and offerings. Enjoy this fifth installment of Meet the Staff and getting to know Karen a little more!
Karen Ross
Name, Job Title: Karen Ross, Events Coordinator
Where are you originally from/What do you consider your hometown: Warner Robins.
Tell us a little about your educational background: I’m a graduate of Warner Robins High School, received my associates in Science and Early Childhood Education at Georgia Military College, and continued my education at Wesleyan College where I received my bachelors in Communication and Studio Art.
What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy or what do you do in your free time: Occasionally, I’ll work on a painting. I love working out. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. My expectations were very low in the beginning, but I have a few impressive dishes. Other than that, housework is never-ending and having a lazy afternoon is always nice.
How long have you worked at the museum: I volunteered in the summer of 2007 and helped out with the Auction. My efforts were remembered and things lined up in May of 2010.
What does your job involve: Every day is different here at the Museum. I get to work with so many people in and out of our community and I enjoy helping them out. Growing up in Warner Robins I did not realize how busy the Museum is. I help schedule and assist with numerous retirements, meetings, celebrations, and big fundraising Museum events – and every function is just as important as the next. There is a lot of anticipation and lessons learned with each event. Things get a little crazy here some days and we all try on new hats, but if we didn’t have these exciting events the days would go by very slow.
If you were not working here at the museum, what kind of job would you like to have: If I lived in the right area, I’d want to be a concert promoter. I’ve always loved concerts and think it would be really fun to put something like that together.
How does being a museum employee change your experience when you visit other museums? It makes me appreciate the workers and volunteers that keep the exhibits looking sharp, the facilities clean, and the people happy. There’s so much involved behind the scenes. I’m aware that people are working constantly so that visitors can enjoy a museum year round….even on holidays!
What is your favorite aircraft or exhibit at the museum and why: Each exhibit is unique and evolving, but WWII is my favorite Hangar by far. WWII has always been most interesting to me. The displays in our newest hangar are very interactive and exciting. The Emmy award-winning film, Papa Said, “We Should Never Forget” is a great feature and story for the Museum. Two of our Museum employees were able to travel with production, meet the sisters the movie is based upon, and recreate the village of Graignes based on their eye-witness accounts and personal photos. You really don’t want to skip WWII during your visit!
Although I introduced myself briefly in the very first post here I feel that since we started our Meet the Staff series I owe you a little more. Therefore I decided I would put myself in the hot seat and answer my own questions for you. Hopefully you are enjoying this series, I know I am!
There I am!
Job Title: Curatorial Assistant
Where are you originally from/What do you consider your hometown: I was born and have lived much of my life here in Warner Robins, GA. While an undergraduate student I lived in Valdosta, GA and I called Carrollton, GA home for the first year of graduate school. Growing up in this area, the Museum of Aviation was part of my childhood. I can remember coming here from the time the Museum opened 1984.
What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy or what do you do in your free time: I enjoy lots of things, from spending time with my family to sports. I have been cycling for almost 12 years now and enjoy playing most team sports. I like the outdoors, camping, hiking and will be running my first marathon in April of next year. I also am a huge fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Thrashers, Atlanta Falcons and Valdosta State University Blazers.
How long have you worked at the museum: I started here February 1st of this year (2010), after completing an internship here at the Museum for my graduate degree last summer.
What does your job entail: My official government title is “Student Trainee – Information and Arts.” The program stipulates that you be currently working towards a degree to participate in it. The trainee status means that I get to participate in what I like to call “a little of a lot”. Mike Rowland, our curator here at the Museum, does a great job of exposing me to the many various jobs and duties that are part of museum work. Exhibit research, copy writing, and handling some of the social media (including this blog) for the Museum are just a few of the day-to-day things that I do.
If you were not working here at the museum, what kind of job would you like to have: Prior to starting on my graduate degree I worked in law enforcement, so more than likely I would still be in that line of work. I also enjoy traveling a lot, so a job that allowed for that would be nice.
How does being a museum employee change your experience when you visit other museums: I look more closely at the exhibits. Small things I may not have noticed before like captions, mounting and spacing stand out now.
What is your favorite aircraft or exhibit at the museum and why: The B-1B (for reasons explained partially here) would have to be my favorite aircraft that we have here at the Museum, with the MH-53M coming in second. My favorite exhibit is Down to Earth, which I recently posted a video walk-through of here. The exhibit is our newest and therefore more closely mirrors many of the concepts I have learned in my graduate classes. Down to Earth tells a powerful story and in my opinion is the best exhibit we have here at the Museum of Aviation.
For the third installment in our meet the staff series we are talking to Melissa Spalding. Melissa runs our education department and is great ambassador for the Museum of Aviation.
Melissa Spalding
Job Title: Director of Education
Where are you originally from/What do you consider your hometown: My dad was in the Army so we moved around a lot. He retired in Satellite Beach, FL which is where I attended High School. I have lived here in Warner Robins for 14 years now, so I consider this my hometown.
Tell us a little about your educational background: Bachelor of Science in Education from Florida State University andMaster of Science in Education from Nova Southeastern University.
What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy or what do you do in your free time: My husband, Paul, and I have three children – ages 8, 10 and 13. We stay very busy with scouts, soccer, band, cheerleading and dance practice. I am a Brownie – Girl Scout leader. We have two cats and a new puppy. I enjoy cooking and just happen to have a hungry family.
How long have you worked at the museum: On Sept 10th, it will be 14 years.
What does your job entail: I love that my job is different every day. Some days I am giving tours and making presentations, and other days I am updating and creating programs with the education department team. I work with a great group of people that help organize fun learning activities all year-long.
If you were not working here at the museum, what kind of job would you like to have: Before I worked here at the museum, I was an elementary school teacher in Florida. I suppose I would still be working in an educational environment. I enjoy teaching and working with children.
How does being a museum employee change your experience when you visit other museums? I definitely appreciate the entire process of museums and their collections/stories much more than I ever did before I worked here. I find myself looking at the ways other museums display their collections compared to ours.
What is your favorite aircraft or exhibit at the museum and why: I am partial to the 507th exhibit in the WWII hangar because I worked on the planning of that exhibit for several years. I learned so much of the history during the process – I even got to visit Normandy as part of the creation of the movie “Papa Said, We should never forget.” My office is on the second floor of the Century of Flight Hangar and I love the view. I appreciate my job and am proud to work at the Museum of Aviation.
The education department here at the Museum of Aviation is top-notch and the wonderful staff, Melissa included, makes it all possible. Make sure to check out their website here for a full schedule and all of the programs offered.
Here we are for the second installment of our meet the staff series. For this entry we will focus on Stephanie Robinson. Enjoy the entry and as always, let me know if there are specific questions you would like to see answered in the future.
Stephanie Robinson
Job Title: Marketing Specialist
Where are you originally from/What do you consider your hometown: I’m originally from Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia (though I was born in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia). I spent most of my life in Saudi Arabia, living mostly in Abqaiq and Udhailiyah. RANDOM SIDE NOTE: No, my family was not in the military.
Tell us a little about your educational background: I came to the United States in 1994, and attended high school at Saint Mary’s Hall, a boarding school in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating in 1997, I went to college at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where I majored in Marketing. I graduated in 2000 with a B.B.A in Marketing.
What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy or what do you do in your free time: I read a lot (2-3 novels a month)! In my free time I’m usually spending time with family and friends (and my dog Jefferson), shopping, or going to church.
How long have you worked at the museum: I started working at the Museum in February 2006.
What does your job entail: Publicizing the Museum of Aviation and Museum of Aviation Foundation events to the public. I maintain the museum website, Facebook page, write press releases, and design (or assist in designing) printed marketing materials such as ads, posters, etc. I also assist the Director of Marketing in all other Museum of Aviation marketing efforts, and assist with photography for various events throughout the year. My job in a nutshell is to make sure the public knows about the Museum of Aviation.
If you were not working here at the museum, what kind of job would you like to have: I’d be a Talk Show Host. I think that I could give Oprah a run for her money!
How does being a museum employee change your experience when you visit other museums? I have a greater appreciation for exhibits, and museum’s as a whole, because I know how much work goes on behind the scenes. When I visit other museums, I spend more time looking a how they put their exhibits together, and what kinds of marketing/graphics materials they use to promote themselves. I also make sure that I talk to staff members, and let them know that I appreciate their work.
What is your favorite aircraft or exhibit at the museum and why: Before working at the museum, the only thing that I knew about aircraft is that they got me from point A to point B! But I now have a greater appreciation for ALL aircraft, so it’s hard for me to pick a favorite. I pretty much like any aircraft that has Nose Art, because to me, it gives the aircraft a more personal touch and there is always a great story behind it.
At her request, here are a few “Stephanie specific” questions and their respective answers:
What is your favorite color: My favorite color is Gold, but if someone asked me in person, I would say Purple. (don’t ask why, I’m kinda quirky like that)
What is your favorite tv show: Law & Order
What animal would you be and why: I’d be a Giraffe. I’m a tall person, and feel like I should be a tall animal. Plus, giraffe’s seem to get along with most of the other animals in the wild….they’re not constantly running for their lives like gazelles are.
If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow where would it be: I’ve travelled extensively, but the only place I haven’t been to yet is Australia. So, I’d probably catch a flight to Sydney.
What is your favorite food or place to eat: I LOVE Asian food, so any place that serves it is my favorite!
Thanks for reading and if you see Stephanie around the Museum make sure to let her know what your favorite color and foods are!
Museum of Aviation Insider 