All performances of Happy Krampus are SOLD OUT.
All performances of Happy Krampus are SOLD OUT.
By Heather Green, Visitor Services and Programs Manager at Rose Hill Mansion & Johnston House
In early November I arrived in Geneva to be the Visitor Services and Program Manager at Rose Hill Mansion. My husband and two cats came along for the ride, though the cats did not appreciate the long hours in the car.
Most recently, we came from Dubuque, Iowa where I was the Interpretation Program Manager at the Mathias Ham Historic Site and National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. In this role I supervised the staff and programming at the Historic Site and worked on a number of projects at the Aquarium.
Here is where most people stop me. A historic house museum and an aquarium? Yes! The Dubuque County Historical Society began as a collection of artifacts displayed in a house built in 1857 by an early Dubuque resident. The organization expanded gradually over the years to tell the story of travel along the Mississippi River, related animals and the natural world, eventually landing on the connection of the Dubuque to the rest of the world through the Mississippi River.
My role was to help make those connections. As the manager of the historic site, a major part of my work focused on bridging the interpretation between the Victorian-era Mathias Ham House and the environmentally-focused aquarium. The mission to tie the natural world and the cultural history of the region into a cohesive story is achievable, if a slow process to do well.
From my time in Dubuque I bring several years of experience as tour guide, day camp leader, and staffing for education stations throughout the aquarium. One of my favorite parts of any job, though, is planning interactive activities and programs. Being able to teach people while allowing them to experience hands-on history is exciting. Sometimes people just need permission to have fun while they learn.
Prior to arriving in Dubuque, David and I lived in Japan where we taught English and enjoyed a lot of sushi. In our free time, we make soap. I also dabble in papermaking. I have a lot of fun with it, though it is still the work of an amateur. I appreciate learning new skills and am often on the lookout for ways to expand my knowledge. I firmly believe that learning never stops, no matter a person’s age.
I am very excited to be here at Rose Hill. Geneva is proving to be a delightful place. The area is beautiful and the people have welcomed us with open arms. I look forward to learning together while engaging in history with you.
One Response
Thank you Heather for telling us about your exciting professional life at the Dubuque County Historical Society and Aquarium,
as well as your world traveling experience in Japan.
I hope you and your husband will be happy in the FLX.
Good Luck and welcome to our neck of the wood.
Pim.
We met at Rose Hill when I was bringing the Christmas wreaths.