July/August 2023 Employee Newsletter

Reinventing the Wheel

A new waterwheel recently began turning at Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, thanks to the efforts of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites’ facilities team and Director of Construction Wes Jones. Jones built the new wheel by hand using the plans from the existing waterwheel, which was constructed around 1972. Measuring 12 feet in diameter with 36 paddles, the new wheel is made of cypress and coated with a mixture of mineral spirits, linseed oil and melted paraffin that should keep it protected in the canal for decades.

“I volunteered to do this,” Jones said. “I mean, what a privilege to do something like this. I’m the kind of guy who likes a challenge.”

Jones also credited the hands-on help from Construction Manager Jim Crabb as well as support from Vice President of System Facilities and Restoration John Spicklemire who enabled him to complete the huge task. A native of Bloomington, Jones grew up in a family of masons, carpenters and cabinet builders. His dad used to tell him, “You’ll

never be rich being a woodworker, but sometimes it’s fun to look back and see what you did do.”

Jones has done that throughout his career. At Indiana University-Bloomington, he took the old basketball floor from Assembly Hall and turned center court into a wall hanging. He remade the giant doors on the state Capitol building and has done work at the Governor’s Residence as well.

“He started describing projects like (the waterwheel) and I couldn’t pass that up,” Jones said.

Among Jones’ favorite projects since joining ISMHS are the addition of the acroteria at the Lanier and Culbertson mansions. He and his crew of five also have been busy with projects at Fort Knox II at Vincennes and Angel Mounds.

“We do great work,” he said. “They’re busy, and there are a lot of weeks I’m going back and forth to each one of the sites. So there’s a lot going on.”

Jones said the new wheel is largely decorative — as is the old one. Originally, the mill was operated by a steel turbine in the water. So while the wheel does turn in the water, it will not power the mill.

Four years ago, he was working for Glenroy Construction in Indianapolis on the new Singing Winds Visitors Center at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site when Spicklemire approached him about joining the staff of ISMHS.

Still, he said, visitors to the historic site are going to like what they see.

“This is a neat project,” he said. “Every project I’ve done for the museum so far has been something to stand back and see. It’s gratifying. And there’s a bunch more. I don’t think there’s any end to it all.”

“Every project I’ve done for the museum so far has been something to stand back and see. It’s gratifying. And there’s a bunch more. I don’t think there’s any end to it all.”

LEVI AND CATHARINE COFFIN STATE HISTORIC SITE

Featured in National Trade Magazine

The latest issue of History News, a quarterly magazine of the American Association for State and Local History, features a cover article by Joanna Hahn, director of historic sites for the central region and site manager at the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site.

Hahn’s article, “Finding Her Voice: The Evolution of Interpreting Catharine Coffin’s Story,” explores the ways in which many museums and historic sites — including Coffin — are striving to tell more inclusive stories.

“Providing well-rounded narratives of our country’s history not only provides insight into the contributions of all Americans, but also offers all Americans a place in our institutions where they can see themselves,” writes Hahn. “For some sites, it is the challenge of getting past the narrative of the ‘big house’ or speaking to only those whose portraits hang in the main hall. Sharing inclusive history is making sure that those who worked in the back hallways or in the factories have voices that are heard.”

At the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site in Fountain City, years of hard work by staff and volunteers have driven the site to be more inclusive about the contributions of anti-slavery Quaker Catharine Coffin and her role in the Underground Railroad.

But in the early decades of the state historic site’s operation, this was not the case. When the site first opened in 1967, the interpretive story was centered on Levi Coffin alone. The site, which was known at that time as the Levi Coffin Home, was managed by a volunteer group in partnership with the Wayne County Historical Museum. By the early 2000s, ISMHS had begun working toward taking over full operation of the site. Included in those plans was the building of a new interpretive center where an even broader story could be shared — including that of Catharine Coffin as well as male and female freedom-seekers. For the new interpretive center, ISMHS decided to focus on setting expectations before visitors came to the site that they would hear both Levi’s and Catharine’s stories, and conversations began regarding the renaming of the site. As a result, the ISMHS board voted to change the name of the site and in December 2016 the site reopened as the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site.

In the guided tour experience at the site today, visitors now hear how Catharine and Levi worked in partnership in their marriage and in their work using their home in Fountain City (then known as Newport) as a safe house for freedom-seekers.

Annual Safety Quarter Results are In

Our annual safety quarter, which began in June and concluded in August, was a great success thanks to all ISMHS staff.

The focus during this safety quarter was on system-wide improvements and enhancements in safety and security. We saw impressive results for participation as well as evacuation times during the exercises.

How fast were we?

On June 19, we exercised fire emergency protocols and the entire museum was evacuated in 5 minutes and 22 seconds. In that time, 75-85 people evacuated the building safely and all met in the assigned designated safe area.

During the inclement weather emergency safety protocols exercise on June 26, the 70-75 participants reached safe areas within 6 minutes. This was the fastest time and the most participants for this exercise since we began our annual safety quarter.

More noteworthy accomplishments:

1. Conducted safety and security inspections at the museum and historic sites;

2. Refurbished all first aid kits and AED accessories;

3. Provided safety tours, CPR and AED certification classes;

4. Conducted safety protocol exercises and presentations for fire, tornado, active shooter, bomb threat and earthquake;

5. Provided online safety skills courses and informational safety emails with emphasis on awareness;

6. Added cameras in key areas to mitigate or eliminate surveillance vulnerabilities.

Lastly, on July 18, IMPD Officer Patterson gave a presentation on active shooter safety awareness at the museum. Thanks to everyone for being engaged and attentive during this helpful and informational presentation.

The ISMHS security department was extremely excited with the results this year and looks forward to more improvement in years to come.

Tyriee Love

Tell me about your family.

My partner’s name is Alex. He and I have been together for four years. We have a house on the near-east side in the Holy Cross district. We have four dogs and one cat in the house, so I am both a cat and dog person. Our cat’s name is Sarah Jessica Parker. We have three corgis and one dachshund: the dachshund’s name is Gus and he is 12 years old, the other three are Neve, Cora and Dewey.

When is your birthday?

My birthday is Nov. 20, 1992.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would travel to Berlin. I have always wanted to go there since I was a kid because of the history and geographical importance of the region.

What was your favorite school subject?

Math. It was always easy for my brain and made sense.

What’s your favorite song?

I love music so this changes weekly. I would say the best song at the moment would be “Fake Out” by Fall Out Boy.

How do you spend your free time?

Reading, traveling and taking care of our home full of pets.

Are you a morning or a night person?

Night person, absolutely.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: RYAN PRANGER

Ryan began working for ISMHS three months ago. In his role as vice president of people and culture, he helps build the organization’s culture, identify gaps in training and development and manage the relationship with ISMHS and Indiana State Personnel Department, which is the human resources vendor supplying almost all our administrative HR functions.

What is your favorite food or meal?

My favorite meal is a pot roast with homemade mashed potatoes. As a kid, we only got this on special occasions.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?

Favorite TV show right now is “The Boys” on Amazon. My favorite movie is “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” because it was the first “adult” movie I was allowed to watch with my dad (plus it’s fantastic).

What’s your favorite quote or song lyric?

My favorite quote is, “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” It’s a great line to throw in almost any scenario and it always gets a laugh.

Who was your best teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher was Mr. Wilson in third grade. He actually took the time to read a book out loud to the class and it was what pushed my literary skills past just “The Boxcar Children.”

Who is your celebrity crush?

Celebrity crush is easy — Vin Diesel. Do you speak more than one language?

No, much to the disappointment to my Italian grandmother.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is going through the world without thought to others. It sends me straight to the moon.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Favorite holiday was always Halloween. I love spooky things and the camp of the whole holiday.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Muncie, Indiana, until I was age 8 and then from ages 8-18 I lived in Fort Wayne.

What is a skill that you would like to learn?

I’d love to learn how to be more handy around the house. The most DIY I can do is pick up the phone and call someone else to do it.

What do you value most in a friend or partner?

Authenticity. Just be you and relax and we are good to go.

What is your biggest fear — rational or irrational?

Biggest fear is getting dementia and losing my memory. Biggest irrational fear would be that of open water.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten or given?

Your worth isn’t contingent on others or their perception, but rather tied to the way you leave the world.

Do you come from a small or big family? How big or small?

I came from a small immediate family of two parents and two kids. But my extended family is massive — Italian and Catholic family — my great-grandmother had 22 children.

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

DENVER BAYS

Southeast Regional Program Developer — 7 years

AMY AHLERSMEYER

Chief Marketing Officer — 6 years

ARTHUR BOOTH

Maintenance Tech, Limberlost — 6 years

JULIE SCHAEFER

VP Marketing and Communication — 6 years

CRYSTAL MAXEY

Security Specialist — 4 years

BETH CONWAY

Interpreter, Coffin — 3 years

JARRELL OLIVER

Maintenance Tech — 2 years

SHAUN PAYNE

Site Manager, Limberlost — 2 years

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

JOHN SEGNER

Lead Interactive Fabricator — 11 years

MATT ANDERSON

Director of Visitor Services — 10 years

BRIAN JOHNSON

Lead Scenic Fabricator — 9 years

EMILY WINSHIP

Web & Digital Communication Manager — 4 years

ABBIE HOLDORF

Intermittent Interpreter, Angel Mounds — 3 years

DEVIN ROBINSON

Program Developer, Lanier Mansion — 3 years

KYLEE FRITZ

Ticket Counter/Call Center Agent — 2 years

RON KELLEN

Exhibit Preparator/Production & Lighting Specialist — 2 years

NEW TEAM MEMBERS

GAIL BROWN

Archaeology Specialist

KATHY CLOPPER

Historic Site Interpreter, Levi Coffin

GRANT DIDOMOZIO

Historic Site Interpreter, New Harmony

RICHARD HIGGINS

Sales Associate, Indiana Store

CARLA KNAPP

Director of Communication

SHELBY MILLER-BRENGLE

Interpreter, Culbertson

Dates to remember

Open through Oct. 15

Vintage Vision: Cars of the 1920s (ISM)

Open through Oct. 22

Hoosier Art Salon (ISM)

Open through Oct. 29

Influencing Lincoln (ISM)

Sept. 2

Archaeology Day (ISM)

Sept. 2

Autumn Loblolly Wildflower Safari (Limberlost)

Sept. 4

Labor Day

Sept. 9

Great Outdoor Art Contest (T.C. Steele)

Sept. 16

Tinkerfest (ISM)

Sept. 16-17

Levi Coffin Days (Coffin)

Sept. 29

Decorative Arts Open House (Lanier)

Sept. 30

20th-Century Indiana Celebrities (GSP)

IN THE NEWS

Public Programs Manager Aly Walbridge brought the Roaring Twenties to FOX 59 in Indianapolis with segments on the Morning News and Indy Now.

Culbertson Mansion Site Manager Devin Payne visited WDRB-TV in Louisville to share all the details about the annual Clue Party.

WISH-TV in Indianapolis welcomed President and CEO Cathy Ferree to Community Link to share all that’s happening at ISMHS.

Culbertson Mansion was highlighted by AAA Explorer Magazine as one of the top destinations travelers should visit in New Albany.

“Finding Her Voice: The Evolution of Interpreting Catharine Coffin’s Story,” written by Director of the Historic Sites for the Central Region and Coffin Site Manager Joanna Hahn, made the cover of AASLH’s quarterly magazine, History News.

Fox 59 included the museum in a story about the school supplies drive taking place at White River State Park.

Lanier Mansion was featured by the Madison Courier in an article about the “Odyssey of Architecture” homes tour.

Gene-Stratton Porter was mentioned in the News Sun’s roundup of activities for Chautauqua Days.

The Vincennes Sun-Commercial previewed the activities at Vincennes’ Adventure Day: Native Americans in Indiana.

The Carmel Current previewed the Major Taylor lecture hosted at the museum that included Curator of Social History Kisha Tandy.

WISH-TV interviewed Curator of Social History Kisha Tandy about the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington as well as the connection to the “Influencing Lincoln” exhibition at ISM.

Click on the blue names below to see the news.

Aly Walbridge at FOX 59 promoting Roaring Twenties

DOWNLOAD your digital membership card to your virtual wallet!

On July 10, all staff should have received a link to download their new ISMHS digital membership card. Once you click your unique link, follow these simple steps.

1. Click the ISMHS logo.

2. Click "find my membership cards."

3. Download the digital card to your virtual wallet.

You will need to use your primary phone number associated with your membership. If you aren’t sure what phone number is associated with your membership, check with Membership Manager Carrie Miller or any of our colleagues in visitor services.

Cards will list your city and state so if you use the membership card for reciprocal purposes, they’ll be able to verify your address. The ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) and NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum Association) logos will be on the card as automatic links. Each logo will take you to the respective websites to see the list of participating institutions.

If you didn’t receive an invitation to download your card, contact Carrie Miller at cmiller@indianamuseum.org