Interpretors Never Tire of Fielding Visitor Questions
By Jessica Delaney

Above photograph: Carolyn Lane works on quilting in the Biddle House. Interpreters in the downtown historic buildings engage in open interpretation, where they perform tasks that would have been done in the late 19th century, and speak with visitors in an informal manner. Lower photo: Trace Dominguez, Brent Scheihagen, and Joe Frost perform 19th century music for guests at Fort Mackinac. Regularly scheduled music programs, including both military and recreational music from historical times, are an important component of the State Parks “Living History” program.

Since Mackinac Island is made almost entirely of rock, what would happen if there were an earthquake here? Would the Island just collapse?

Historic interpreters at the Biddle House on Market Street were a little baffled when asked that question. One of the more experienced interpreters, Stephanie Fitzwater, came up with an answer, telling the inquisitive visitor that the Island is not near any fault lines, so the probability of an earthquake is very low.

The majority of questions asked by curious guests at Mackinac State Historic Parks sites are a little easier to answer. The staff hears many of them over and over, even some that seem obvious. It’s all in the line of duty for the historic interpreters, who field the questions while they perform their other duties, like baking cherry pies or firing muskets.

Interpreters at Fort Mackinac and at downtown historic buildings are an integral part of the Mackinac State Historic Parks program. They highlight the “Living History” program, which provides interactive adventures for visitors, opportunities not only to look at an exhibit and read about life at the fort, but to actually experience it.

“This is about people and life,” said Dennis Havlena, lead interpreter at Fort Mackinac. “It’s one thing to look at a display, but it’s completely different to get involved with real people.”

Finding the right kind of people for the job can be a bit of a challenge. Conducting the search is a hiring team of four, one representative from each park site that uses interpreters. The team includes Katie Cederholm, who works with downtown historic buildings, Mr. Havlena of Fort Mackinac, Jim Evans for Colonial Michilimackinac, and Jeffrey Dykehouse for Historic Mill Creek.

According to Ms. Cederholm, the first thing the hiring team looks for is not recommendations or prior experience, but something much more elemental: Personality.

“For interpretative staff all the way to the general service representatives, we look for attitude,” she said. “That’s the number-one thing we look for. We can teach them the history.”

Good attitude is especially important when it comes to crazy questions, she said. Interpreters need to be upbeat, engaging, and patient when it comes to dealing with guests and providing the best hospitality possible.

“Sometimes it’s difficult when they are asked a question for the hundredth time, but they need to remember that this is the first question for that person,” said Ms. Cederholm. “They get some silly questions. These people who are dressed in historic outfits, they stand out, but visitors don’t necessarily know what to ask these people.”

Dave Schmidt, who works at the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, said he has been asked his share of repetitive questions, but he never tires of answering them because he knows they are points of interest for visitors.

“One question that is asked the most is whether the hoofs we use for demonstration are off real horses,” he said. Then, upon further thought, he added “They are real, by the way. We get them from veterinarian supplies.”

Paul Gehres is a first year historic interpreter at the fort and already has received his fair share of strange questions, ranging from directions to downtown buildings to his personal favorite, which he says he has received several times.

“My favorite question is about the cannon,” he said. “When we fire it off, we don’t use a ball, and I say that we won’t be putting it in, and people will ask why don’t we shoot it. There’s a marina full of ships below! I just kind of chuckle, tell them that, and move on with the presentation.”

In addition to having patience, a good attitude, and an ability to answer questions on a broad range of subjects, Ms. Cederholm said an important component of the job is having good stage presence and an ability to speak to large groups of people. She added, however, that many of the people who work at the fort begin by being somewhat more reticent.

“Some people who get the job are shy,” she said. “The way they get over that is by becoming the opposite. They take on a role, and when they’re in the costume, they take on a different personality. It’s an interesting way to be able to transfer yourself, and it just gets easier and easier.”

Mr. Gehres said it was this aspect of performing that drew him to the job. Unlike many of the interpreters, Mr. Gehres is not a history major, so it was clear that other factors inspired him to take the job.

“I’m not a history person. I don’t dislike history, it’s important that people know about it,” he said. “I figured that I would be able to work outdoors and play soldier all day long, which is a five-year-old’s dream. I would be able to entertain. I’ve done theater, so to be in front of people was good.”

Joe Frost is an old hand at historic interpretation. This is his fifth summer on the Island. Mr. Frost is one of the fort’s regular musicians, and he plays the bugle and drums and is learning the fife. He said the performance and interactive aspect of the job is what keeps pulling him back to the Island, year after year.

“It’s a fun and enjoyable position,” he said, “where you get to talk with people and really interact with history.”

Interpreters like Mr. Frost are a dream come true for Mr. Havlena, who says that musical aptitude is one of the first things that he looks for in hiring a new interpreter. Music is a large part of the program at the fort, he said, and even people who don’t have a background in 19th century music can be an asset.

Brent Scheihagen, spending his second summer on the Island, has a music degree from the University of North Texas. American historical music was not a major component of his degree, he said, so working at the fort is a way to learn music he has never studied.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to learn something different and to have a different learning experience,” said Mr. Scheihagen. “This is an ideal way to learn, to be in an environment with the experience.”

Whether being asked a question for the hundredth time, or being asked a stumper for the first time, whether firing a musket or cooking over an open hearth, the most important thing for interpreters to keep in mind is hospitality and a positive attitude. So even when asked whether their wool uniforms are hot (yes) or whether the guns being used really work (yes, again) interpreters will put on a smile, and take pleasure in answering the guest.