The purpose of this webpage is to brief the reader on my experience working for the United States National Park Service.Between 2013 and 2105, I worked for the United States National Park Service both as a volunteer and employed as a Park Guide. Primarily, I worked at two national parks ... Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi and Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
With Generals John C. Pemberton (Larry McCluney)
and Ulysses S. Grant (Dr. Curt Fields) at the surrender of Vicksburg
(Vicksburg, Mississippi)
The responsibility of park guides and volunteers at the park is to educate visitors, not only through descriptive presentations and traditional audio/video means, but also through historic re-creations and hands-on demonstrations, thus enabling them to more fully comprehend the events that took place and their importance in the context of American Civil War.
VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI
Vicksburg National Military Park (NPS Website)
(2015)
Vicksburg National Military Park is considered by the park service to be one of the "big six" national parks devoted to the commemoration of the Civil War in the United States. General Ulysses Grant's forty-seven day artillery siege (May 18 - July 4, 1863), culminating with the surrender of the fortresses at Vicksburg, marked the nadir of the Confederacy in the west. It secured control of the Mississippi River by the Union army and effectively cut the Confederacy in half.
Primary Responsibilities: Education of park visitors, research, maintenance, and preservation of the historic Civil War battlefield site.
Special Responsibilities: Specifically-recruited from among a national field of candidates to join the elite "Vicksburg NMP Historic Weapons Demonstration Program".
Vicksburg National Military Park
Historic Weapons Demonstration Program
(2015)
Served as demonstration interpreter for daily infantry, artillery, and signal corps demonstrations for visitors. Operational familiarity with Napoleon (4.62 inch), Howitzer (4.62 inch), Parrott Rifle (2.9 inch), and Wiard (3.67 inch) field artillery, as well as infantry musketry.
"Historic Weapons Presentation" by Laura Olin
Vicksburg National Military Park (2015)
Training student volunteers the art of cannonry
Also, knowledgable in U.S. Army Signal Corp flagging, Beardslee Magneto-Electric Field Telegraph Machine and Morse Telegraph operation.
Demonstrating a Beardslee Magneto-Electric
Field Telegraph Machine
(One of only six in existence)
(One of only six in existence)
Operation of the two main visitor centers, response to visitor inquiries for information, direction, and guidance; and assistance with administrative tasks. (Full-time seasonal interpretive park guide (GS-0900-04) in the Interpretive Ranger section at Vicksburg National Military Park).
Special Demonstrations:
Shadows of the Past: Vicksburg Night Artillery Demonstration (May 2015)
Memorial Day Wreath-Laying At Vicksburg National Cemetery - Honor Guard (May 2015)
Confederate Wreath-Laying At Soldier's Rest Cemetery - Honor Guard (May 2015)
Honor Guard - Memorial Wreath Laying
Fort Garrott and Slack's Approach (June 2015)
Surrender of Vicksburg at Battery DeGolyer (July 2015)
Vicksburg National Military Park: Daily artillery and musketry demonstrations (May - Sept. 2015)
Defending Battery DeGolyer
Vicksburg National Military Park
Performed other educational duties, including geologic research and "Living History" presentations at the park.
Field Research and Preservation: Examined aeolian dust deposits at the Ironclad Cairo excavation site along the Mississippi River, as well as topographical samplings at key locations throughout the park. I catalogued the samples and sent them to the University of Miami for further study. I also presented artifacts recently recovered from sites at the park to the public.
Living History Performances: Included costumed interpretation (such as at the Shirley House), designed to facilitate visitor understanding of the historical and cultural resources of the park.
Skilled in the design and fabrication of historically-accurate period costuming, specializing in 18th century ball gowns and 19th century Civil War-era clothing and regalia. Produced clothing for National Park Service living history programs and re-enactments.
STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE
Stones River National Battlefield (NPS Website)
(2013 - 2015)
The Stones River National Battlefield is a national historic site memorializing the Battle of Stones River, December 31, 1862 - January 3, 1863, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the entire Civil War. The battle was an important strategic victory for the Union army and gave President Lincoln the impetus he needed to push-through his Emancipation Proclamation.
Primary Responsibility: Education of park visitors, research, maintenance, and preservation of the historic Civil War battlefield site. (Full-time internship, sponsored by the SCA and Americorps).
Special Responsibilities: Stones River National Battlefield Cannon Crew. Became proficient in the operation of 19th century heavy artillery, including the specific duties of each of the seven positions of an artillery detachment. Attained a high level of knowledge relating to the capabilities of various types of artillery. Training also required the full understanding of and compliance with all weapons standards, as required by the NPS.
Honors: Received "National Park Service 800+ Hour Volunteer Recognition" in April 2015.
Other Duties: Opening and closing of the facility, field and archival research, battlefield preservation, visitor center host and historian, conducting battlefield tours and interpretive programs. Led daily interpretive (vehicle and walking) tours, special presentations, and hikes – Stones River Stories and A Ride Through History park tours.
Unique Presentations and Activities: Hallowed Ground: Lantern Tours June-October 2014 (Coordinator / Narrator / Interpreter). Conducted evening lantern presentations in the Stones River National Cemetery. Performed historical research and character study in preparation for roles.
Coordinator / Narrator / Interpreter: Special infantry, artillery, signal corps demonstrations:
A Day in the Life of the 9th Kentucky Infantry (August 2014)
Arkansas Infantry at Stones River (September 2014)
Battle of Chickamauga - 151st Anniversary (September 2014)
Battle of Nashville Sesquicentennial (December 2014)
Battle of Stones River - 152nd Anniversary (January 2015)
Camp of Instruction at Stones River (March 2015)
RELATED INFORMATION
Member: National Association for Interpretation
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, currently serving about 5,000 members in the United States, Canada, and over thirty other nations. Individual members include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks.
Member: The Explorers Club (As student member 2009 - 2020)
An international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and scientific exploration. The organization promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. Since its founding in 1904, its members have included A.W. Greely, Robert Peary, Sir Edmund Hillary, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Eugenie Clark and Robert Ballard. Have attended educational seminars and discussed research findings at organization gatherings.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: lauraolin13@gmail.com
Leading educational tours of the historic Shirley House
at Vicksburg National Military Park
Skilled in the design and fabrication of historically-accurate period costuming, specializing in 18th century ball gowns and 19th century Civil War-era clothing and regalia. Produced clothing for National Park Service living history programs and re-enactments.
STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE
Stones River National Battlefield (NPS Website)
(2013 - 2015)
The Stones River National Battlefield is a national historic site memorializing the Battle of Stones River, December 31, 1862 - January 3, 1863, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the entire Civil War. The battle was an important strategic victory for the Union army and gave President Lincoln the impetus he needed to push-through his Emancipation Proclamation.
Primary Responsibility: Education of park visitors, research, maintenance, and preservation of the historic Civil War battlefield site. (Full-time internship, sponsored by the SCA and Americorps).
Special Responsibilities: Stones River National Battlefield Cannon Crew. Became proficient in the operation of 19th century heavy artillery, including the specific duties of each of the seven positions of an artillery detachment. Attained a high level of knowledge relating to the capabilities of various types of artillery. Training also required the full understanding of and compliance with all weapons standards, as required by the NPS.
Honors: Received "National Park Service 800+ Hour Volunteer Recognition" in April 2015.
Other Duties: Opening and closing of the facility, field and archival research, battlefield preservation, visitor center host and historian, conducting battlefield tours and interpretive programs. Led daily interpretive (vehicle and walking) tours, special presentations, and hikes – Stones River Stories and A Ride Through History park tours.
Unique Presentations and Activities: Hallowed Ground: Lantern Tours June-October 2014 (Coordinator / Narrator / Interpreter). Conducted evening lantern presentations in the Stones River National Cemetery. Performed historical research and character study in preparation for roles.
Coordinator / Narrator / Interpreter: Special infantry, artillery, signal corps demonstrations:
"The Most Terrible Cannonading"
Stones River National Battlefield (2014)
The Most Terrible Cannonading (July 2014)Stones River National Battlefield (2014)
A Day in the Life of the 9th Kentucky Infantry (August 2014)
Arkansas Infantry at Stones River (September 2014)
Battle of Chickamauga - 151st Anniversary (September 2014)
Battle of Nashville Sesquicentennial (December 2014)
Battle of Stones River - 152nd Anniversary (January 2015)
Camp of Instruction at Stones River (March 2015)
Teaching the operation of a cannon to a local Boy Scout Troop
at Stones River National Battlefield
Field Research and Preservation: Conducted environmental field research and assessment of Stones River National Cemetery. Research results were featured as part of the Stones River National Battlefield State Of The Park Report (November 2014) and park archives.at Stones River National Battlefield
151st Anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga
(Chickamauga, Georgia)
(Chickamauga, Georgia)
RELATED INFORMATION
Member: National Association for Interpretation
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the profession of heritage interpretation, currently serving about 5,000 members in the United States, Canada, and over thirty other nations. Individual members include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks.
Member: The Explorers Club (As student member 2009 - 2020)
An international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and scientific exploration. The organization promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. Since its founding in 1904, its members have included A.W. Greely, Robert Peary, Sir Edmund Hillary, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Eugenie Clark and Robert Ballard. Have attended educational seminars and discussed research findings at organization gatherings.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: lauraolin13@gmail.com