My Experience at The Farmer's Museum

This post is by Young Interpreter Jacob Efthimiou, and was originally posted on the Rural Blacksmith blog.

“Are you ready for another exciting day in the Blacksmith Shop?” questioned Steve as he and I prepared to leave the Creamery, where the morning staff meeting had been held moments ago. It was another Wednesday; and during my summer, that meant turning into a 19th century blacksmith’s apprentice for the day. Upon arriving at the blacksmith shop, one of my first jobs was always to clean up after the previous day’s fire. This job consisted of setting aside the coke (reusable coal) to start the next fire, and putting the clinker (fully burned coal) in the ash bucket. Next, the fire was started using birch bark, small thinly cut kindling, leftover coke, and a few puffs of air from the bellows. My Wednesday would then launch into a fun and exciting day of making hooks, nails, chain links, and all manner of things. Another important part about being a good interpreter is communicating with the public. I explained many times that kids ages twelve to fourteen can write essays, be interviewed, and then possibly work at The Farmer’s Museum over the summer. Thanks to Steve, now I can pursue the trade using my grandpa’s old forge. I am so blessed to have had this opportunity and will try to stay in practice throughout my life. Maybe I’ll even volunteer at The Farmer’s Museum next year.

2009 Young Interpreters

Gwen Miner, Supervisor of Domestic Arts Congratulations to this year’s group of Young Interpreters! On Thursday, September 17, we held the annual Young Interpreter potluck dinner in Bump Tavern. This dinner concludes the summer-long program for the Young Interpreters. Nine of the eleven participants were present. The Young Interpreters and their immediate families join their mentors for a meal, conversation, a show and tell of the Interpreters’ summer work, and the presentation of certificates.

2009 was a successful season for both the Young Interpreters and the museum staff who mentored these amazing young folks. Our seasoned senior staff members were continuously impressed with the depth of interest that these young folks had in the areas where they were apprenticed and the skills that they developed over the summer.

We hope to continue to see these fantastic young folks as volunteers and even future staff members.

Young Interpreters Program at The Farmers' Museum

By: Gwen Miner, Supervisor of Domestic Arts

The Farmers’ Museums’ Young Interpreter Program was started in 1993 to provided young folks aged 12-14 with an opportunity to learn about life in the mid-nineteenth century, develop skills in the crafts and trades common to the time, and practice public presentation skills.

The program is highly competitive and is offered to a limited number of self-motivated boys and girls. Those interested in participating in the program have to submit a letter expressing their interest and reasons for wanting to be a Young Interpreter along with the areas they are interested in working. The next step in the process is an interview with a panel of the museum staff with whom they might be working. Once accepted the young folks agree to work 1 day a week for 8 weeks in the area to which they are assigned.

This year we have eleven Young Interpreters. They are working in the General Store, Lippitt Farmhouse, Bump Tavern, Lippitt Farm, Textiles, Blacksmith Shop, Country Fair, Pharmacy, Print Shop, and Children’s Barnyard. They are an exceptional group of kids who are extremely enjoyable to work with and teach.

Young Interpreter Julia D’Ambrosio shows off her delicious pie made in the bake oven at Lippitt Farmhouse.

Click here for more photos and an article written about our Young Interpreters’ Program in the Utica Observer-Dispatch