The Docent Guild & Associates - Michigan Historical Center

Jenny Swegles Hinkle

Jenny Swegles Hinkle Lansing Passed away May 18, 2010 at the age of 94. Born June 6, 1915.

She was a 1933 graduated of Eastern High School and went on to work for the State of Michigan and Oldsmobile.

Jenny was a charter life docent at the Michigan Historical Museum. She had worked on the election board for over 40 years as an inspector and chairperson. Jenny volunteered at the Military Entrance Center, a life member of the Eastern Star and the Historical Center Sponsor, O.E.S. Amity 490, currently Arbutus Chapter #45 O.E.S. where she is a Past Worthy Matron and life and over 50 year member.

She was a friend of the Turner Dodge House and secretary of Eastern High School Alumni.

Jenny was the "Longest Active" member of South Church, where she had played in the Praise Ringers Bell Choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Renzella (Sprik) Swegles, Sr.; husband, Jay L. Hinkle and sister-in-law, Shirley Swegles.

Surviving are her children, Jerolyn (Bob) Mayes, John (Diana) Hinkle and special daughter, Lois Klender.

Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Walsh

Died April 22, 2010 following a brave, brief battle with lung cancer.

Elizabeth was born February 11, 1919 in Vermontville, MI to Loren and Helen Purchis who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Marda Maguire and her loving husband of 56 years, Frederick M. Walsh. She leaves behind to remember her grace and kindness, daughters, Rebecca Summerhays of Lansing and Melissa Patton of San Antonia, TX; grandchildren, Todd (Kellie) Summerhays of Middleville, Brent Nicholas of Denver, CO, Sarah Patton of Knoxville, TN, and Elizabeth Patton of Charleston, SC; great-grandchildren, Jonah and Caleb Summerhays; nephews, Dan (Kim) Maguire of Potterville and Tom (Debi) Maguire of Saginaw; niece Jennifer Maguire; her devoted companion, Baby-Cat, and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Liz was a member of North Presbyterian Church for 63 years where she sang in the choir for 31 years. She was president of North Church Woman's Association and was one of the first women Deacons in her church.

She loved cats, music, playing bridge, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and helping others.

During her lifetime, Liz was a volunteer Brownie and Girl Scout leader, a Docent at the Michigan Historical Museum, a volunteer at Sparrow Hospital and Burcham Hills Retirement Center II. A memory square that she designed, was selected for the WKAR Alzheimer's Memory Quilt. Liz was a lifetime member of the NRA and the Vivian Society, Lansing Lodge 196 B. P. O. E. She volunteered for the past 17 years at the welcome desk at Capital City Airport and Liz retired from volunteer work in December 2009.

Berniece J. Daman

Mulliken, Michigan

Age 75, went to be with her Lord April 1, 2010 surrounded by her family.

Berniece was born November 16, 1934 in Edmore, Michigan. She was the oldest of five children born to Lloyd and Gladys Strong.

She married Gerald F. Daman on June 19, 1954.

She worked many years as a construction company office manager and at the Cobblers Bench Shoe Store.

She enjoyed volunteering in the gift shop at Ingham Regional Medical Center. Another favorite past time of Berniece�s was square dancing.

She is survived by her mother, Gladys; brothers,

Robert (Carol), Kenneth (Nancy), Ronald (Marilyn), and Eugene (Jane) Strong. She is also survived by her husband, Gerry, their children, Paul Daman (Lynn), Cynthia (John) Davidson, and DeWayne (Amber) Daman. She was the loving grandmother to Brandi Woodbeck, Amy Daman, Candace (Cody) Burch, Zachary Trumble (Betsy), Adysen and Akaela Daman, Amanda (Chris) Mueller. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, Allen, Alex, Serenity, Connor & Alyssa. Berniece was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Strong.

Docent's Contribution

to the Michigan Historical Museum

The Michigan Historical Museum is open to the public seven days a week, at no admission charge. The museum administration relies on volunteer docents to guide visitors through the museum galleries. The docents interpret the galleries for individuals, school groups, senior citizen groups, church groups or families. This interpretation is essential for engaging the individuals in effective learning about the state�s history.

Many docents come with professional or highly skilled backgrounds and they have chosen to contribute their knowledge, skills and abilities in communicating with the visitors. The docents have completed an initial training program of over 50 hours culminating in a successful juried presentation in one of the galleries. They continually enhance their presentations with education programs, optional workshops and field trips to historic sites and museums around the state. Their work is guided and strengthened through oversight by the museum�s professional staff.

Each docent commits to a minimum of 100 hours of service per year. Many docents go beyond this commitment, and have individually given over 2,000 hours to the museum work. Since the museum opened its doors at its present location in 1988, docents have contributed over 265,000 hours as of September 1, 2009. Using the current dollar value of $19.29 per hours for comparable work in Michigan using the Department of Labor Statistics in Michigan, the 265,000 hours of docent work represents a value of $5,111,850.00. This is a significant savings for the State of Michigan in salaries and wages that would have been required to hire comparably educated and skilled employees. This service is also valued in that it represents the broad range of community support for helping ensure that the state�s treasured resource is available to the citizens of Michigan. There is no other place that is totally committed to Michigan History.

Docent Continuing Education Events

These presentations are open to all Docents and the general public. We urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to hear from staff members who are the experts in their fields. The presentation will be in the museum galleries on the third Tuesday of each month, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.

1900 Through the 1920's
Eric Perkins
September 21, 2010

1920's Through the 1940's
Scott Peters
October 19, 2010

1950's Through the 1970's
Steve Ostrander
November 16, 2010

Pickle Barrel House

The Pickle Barrel House is a two-story cabin built of two barrels. The house design is based on cartoon characters that were two inches tall and lived under a rose bush in a pickle barrel.

It is currently located in Grand Marais, Michigan on Michigan's Upper Peninsula at the southern end of Lake Superior. It is near the intersection of Michigan Hwy-77 and County Highway 58 of this gateway town to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

The main part is a 16-foot (4.88 m) tall barrel and has two stories. The main floor is for the living area and the upstairs is a bedroom. A smaller barrel serves as the kitchen and the two barrels are connected by a pantry.

There is an outdoor garden and also a seating area with a garden path between these two.

June E Johnson

June E. Johnson

Born July 1, 1918 to Charles and Martha Weber

Died June 21, 2009 at the age of 90.

June was born in Steubenville, Ohio and traveled extensively throughout her life. She attended Wooster College in Ohio. She Graduated from Michigan State University with a B.B.A. and received her Masters Degree from Northwestern University in business administration.

She retired as the Director of Human Resources and Public Relations from J.W. Knapps after 38 years of service.

June was a past Chairman of the Delta Township Planning Commission, a position that she held for 8 years.

She was a member of the Lansing Woman's Club, and a board member and treasurer of the Lansing Art Gallery.

She was also active with the Wharton Center, the Wharton Inner Circle Board of Directors and Treasurers, receiving the Directors Award and the Arthur Wedders Award. They named the June E. Johnston Exemplary Service Award after her.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Johnston (1982). She is survived by her nieces, Cheryl (Dan) Purcell of Gladstone, Michigan, and Susan Stamann of Longmont, Colorado; nephew, Stanley T. (Teresa) Weber of Englewood, Ohio; a host of great-nieces and nephews; several cousins; and sister-in-law, Barbara Weber of Harbor Springs, Michigan,

A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. at Peoples Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave, East Lansing with the Rev. Sally J. Nolen officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society , 3100 West Rd, Bldg. B, Suite 110, East Lansing, MI 48823, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter, 21311 Civic Center Dr, Southfield, MI 48076, or the American Red Cross, Mid-Michigan Chapter, P.O. Box 30101, Lansing, MI 48909-7601 in memory of June.

Warm Up to Michigan

January 22, 2009

Michigan Historical Museum Docent Guild members Barbara
Wheeler on left and Deb Malewski on right, converse with an
international student visiting the Museum�s information
booth.
(Click to Enlarge)

On Thursday evening January 22, 2009 several Michigan Historical Museum Docent Guild members participated in Warm Up to Michigan an event sponsored by the Michigan Historical Museum, East Lansing Public Libraries, Nokomis Learning Center and various agencies that assist international students on the campus of Michigan State University.

This event was the first of its kind to offer a taste of Michigan to foreign students who might never travel outside of the MSU campus or East Lansing. Booths provided road maps and informational brochures to a wide range of mid-Michigan and statewide museum�s, libraries and cultural centers. Over 150 students and their families attended this event.

Leland Scott shares fur trade history with young
international student visitor. Museum Docent Guild members
Gail Arndt (behind Scott) and Barbara Wheeler on left were
just a few of the costume interpreters represented that
evening
(Click to Enlarge)

Museum Docent Guild Members providing hands-on-activities, demonstrations, and information to the international students were Gail Arndt, Barbara Malewski, Leland Scott, Barbara Toman, and Barbara Wheeler. As a result of this group effort several international students visited the Museum on Saturday, January 24, for Statehood Day.

Warm Up to Michigan was held in the Spartan Village Community Center on the campus of Michigan State University.

Laurie Catherine Perkins, Ph.D.
Education Historian & Big History Lesson Coordinator

Gail Arndt passes out posters, Michigan Historical Museum
brochures, Docent Guild information and demonstrates
reproduction artifacts to many interested international
students
(Click to Enlarge)

Holiday Party 2008

December 10, 2008

Holiday Party 2008
(Click to Play the Movie)

Great Fun for all. Click the picture above for a short slide show.

1st Annual Museum Docent Symposium

November 1, 2008

The 1st symposium came off without a hitch. Reviews from those that attended are very positive.

"Overall a wonderful day...please do it again."
"...excellent gathering of interesting people.."
"I will look forward to other days like this one"

"...excellant conference...practical, useful information."

"Very well planned-great presenters", and on and on!

There were four presenters that were universally enjoyed. We started the day with a kick off from Phil Kwiatkowski, Director of the Michigan Historical Museum.

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The Past in Person
Michael Deren
(Click to Enlarge)

Musician, Songwriter & Storyteller

Michael presents multi faceted, audience centered programs that educate, delight, enthrall, and encourage participants to learn more about the past that surrounds them. Learn techniques to help bring your tours and programs to life through song, dance, stories and other participative activities!

Mike Deren Lights up the Lighthouses (Video)
(Click to Play the Movie)

We were trees...blowing in the wind!
(Click to Enlarge)

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Next up was the presentation from Judy Gail Krasnow.

Hi! Story:

Bringing History to Life Through Storytelling

Judy Gail Krasnow

Professional storyteller, historical portrayal artist, musician and author

The art of storytelling can bring historical characters, events and family history to life. This workshop shows how to research a topic, event or character and transform it into a story narrative that begs telling and captures the audience`s imagination. Meet Temperance activist, Carry Nation, and Michigan�s own Civil War soldier and spy, Pvt. Frank Thompson, a.k.a. Sarah Emma Edmonds.

A Taste of Carrie A Nation (Video)
(Click to Play the Movie)

Judy demonstrated to us how she portrays Carry Nation by effortlessly becoming her before our eyes. She showed how history can come alive. Outstanding performance.

You can visit Judy`s web site at: http://judygailkrasnow.com/index.html

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For lunch we moved to the education room for the keynote speaker, Historical Center Director Sandra Clark.

Sandra Clark, Keynote speaker
(Click to Enlarge)

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We started the afternoon session with David Allison from Conner Prairie.

Opening Doors to Great Guest Experiences
David Allison
(Click to Enlarge)

Experience Design Manager, Conner Prairie

What began as an initiative aimed at improving the quality of Conner Prairie�s living history interpretation, has become a broadly adopted and transformative new way of doing the business of interacting with their guests and helping them learn more about the past!

David walked us through the process they used to analyze their existing operation and design and develop a new interface between there docents and the public they serve. Very enlightening.

You can visit Conner Prairie`s web site at: http://www.connerprairie.org/

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Our own Laurie Perkins followed next with a VERY interest presentation on Shoes.

Standing in Someone Else`s Shoes
Laurie Catherine Perkins
(Click to Enlarge)

Education Historian

Michigan Historical Museum

Shoes are often the most overlooked artifacts in a museum`s collection until they are needed to complete a costume or finish off an exhibit. This presentation will look at ways the shoes found in the Michigan Historical Museum`s collection are used not only as tools of interpretation, but as a way for visitors to bring historical meaning to their everyday lives.

It became clear to us that shoes are simply an example of how we can entice visitors with the untold stories of even the simplest items displayed at the museum.

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Docent Round-Table Discussion
Stories, Issues & New Ideas
(Click to Enlarge)

David Bridgens

Docent Liaison, Michigan Historical Museum

Lois Baumer

Michigan Historical Museum Docent Guild

Dave and Lois lead the discussion at the final session, a round-table discussion.

When Museum Docents and Volunteers get together there are stories to be told and fresh new ways of looking at the same old issues and concerns always abound.