New at Old York
Junior Docents at Old York
By Anne Poubeau
Education Director
Old York Historical Society Junior Docent Shelly Potter leads a group of young history fans in a three-legged race with Katie Mahoney of York on the Jefferds’ Tavern grounds during one of Old York’s Morning Adventures. For a listing of children’s education programs visit Old York’s website at www.oldyork.org.
Courtesy photo
I grew up in the Loire Valley, one of the most frequently visited regions of France. My parents would often take me to historic sites and early on I was stung by the "history bug." As a 12-year-old, I would have loved to actually spend time in a real castle and give my own tours, maybe even wear a 17th-century dress and demonstrate a craft of the "olden days..." But none of this was available to me then.
Years later and on a different continent, I became the education director at the Museums of Old York and was given the opportunity to start such a program for teenagers. I noticed a growing demand for such activities from children too old for our regular summer programs and not quite ready to enter the summer workforce. The Junior Docents program therefore started in the spring of 2006. In its second season it has slightly changed but it keeps the principle components: children ages 12-18 can apply to the program; if accepted, they must commit to four weeks of training in June and a minimum of three hours a week in July and August.
Junior Docents can choose among the following activities: Junior Interpreters, Junior Educators and Junior Curators. Junior Interpreters assume the identity of an 18th-century child and greet visitors at our colonial buildings. They may also demonstrate period crafts and give guided tours. Junior Educators help research activities for our popular "Morning Adventures." They also assist the education staff in presenting these programs. Finally, Junior Curators learn about our collections and design an exhibit.
I recently sat down with two Junior Docents to discuss the program. Allison Gilmer and Shelly Potter have been involved with the education department at Old York since 2001. They are now graduating from York Middle School and will spend several hours a week this summer representing Old York to our visitors. The two girls met through summer camps, and with their friend Katie Berlin, another York resident soon to enter high school, quickly formed what I kindly call the "inseparable trio." When the Junior Docents program was launched last year, the three friends were part of the founding group.
For Shelly, now 14, the whole Junior Docent experience has been "very enjoyable," even if it comes with more responsibilities than the summer camps. For example, Shelly serves as a Junior Educator each week and helps design and present scavenger hunts and other fun activities to children ages 8 to 12. As she says herself, "it develops a good work ethic."
Allison is more attracted to the behind-the-scenes aspect of the program. To her, the Museums of Old York are "not a real museum, because you can touch things." (Well, not everything Allison, I'm afraid...) Allison feels part of the museum staff "because she can see the collections closer." She has already asked me for her graduation present, due four years from now: a tour of the Old Gaol attic to see the old shoes piled in a hole by the chimney flu...
Allison, Shelly and Katie are joined this year by 13 other teenagers, most of them returning from last year's pilot program. You can meet them this summer as they hearth-cook in Jefferds' Tavern, give tours of the Emerson-Wilcox House or play games in front of the Old Gaol. The Junior Curators will design an online exhibit on folk art and will chronicle their progress on a blog, which will be linked to the museum's website, http://www.oldyork.org/.
As for myself, I have to confess that I am very proud of these young people's involvement with their local heritage. I have seen them grow up into responsible young adults who care for their past and are willing to share it with others, and this is worth more than I could ever imagine.
