I enjoy my time working at the Edison Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida! I was hired as a site historian a year ago and I have enjoyed every minute of it. All of my fellow employees at the estates have been very friendly and supportive and are like a second family to me. Throughout my first year, I have learned quite a bit about Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, which is part of my job as a researcher. I am a voracious reader and have learned about these two men by reading many biographies, as well as books on their many patents and inventions, most notably Edison's phonograph, which I have a special love for. My job also includes giving guided tours and docenting about different subjects, including the Edison botanical laboratory which still stands on the property. I have even played the piano that the Edison family owned, which is located in the guest house on the property. The photo above shows me playing the piano just before Christmas of 2021 for our last Holiday Nights celebration.
I was just given the wonderful and exciting opportunity to become a member of the curatorial department at the estates. I begin my first day tomorrow and I am feeling very excited my new role as a curatorial assistant. I will have my own cubicle next to the other curators and look forward to my role in helping the estates continue to tell the stories of Edison and Ford. As part of my job, I will be helping with exhibits in the museum and will be giving Inside the Homes Tours.
I just recently returned from Michigan where I spent time with my fiancé's parents and her family. One day we decided to visit Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. The Village is a collection of old historic buildings that Ford opened in the 1930's that were a part of his past and the museum houses many artifacts from early American history. As I was walking in Greenfield Village that day, I received a text from our Chief Curator Brent Newman that he wanted to speak to me. I called him and he gave me the exciting news that they wanted to hire me as the curatorial assistant. I mentioned to him that I was actually in Greenfield Village, and he mentioned that "you can't get away from Edison or Ford, can you?" I chuckled at this remark and told him that I was thrilled to have the position. When I got off the phone, I told my family and even texted my parents back in Fort Myers about the wonderful news and I received congratulations all around.
I look forward to moving on to this new chapter in my life and am moved that the estates find me a wonderful asset as a historian and curatorial assistant!
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