Working for 40 years as a freelance oral historian, writer and teacher, I participated in federal, state and private projects interviewing people across the Ozark Mountains. I served as a military correspondent in Vietnam; the curator of the Ozark Agriculture Museum in St James, Missouri; part of a team that produced award-winning regional videos; and most recently, taught oral history in mainland China. I live in Springfield, Missouri.

My Story

Oral Historian

Contractor, US Army (Ft. Leonard Wood): interviewed surviving members of relocated settlements. Edited interviews which were included in a book-length report on the region.

Oral History Researcher US Geological Survey, Rolla. Consultant/interviewer on project to develop geomorphic history of effects of agriculture and forestry on two Ozark Rivers.

Fieldworker and Grantee Oral Historian and interviewer for US Forest Service land located on the Big Piney River in Pulaski County, Missouri.

Design

Writer and teacher

Lecturer for speakers’ bureau, the Missouri Humanities Council’s statewide lecture series. Delivered over 50 programs on Tie Rafter Stub Borders, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft’s Ozark expedition, historic use of Missouri rivers and other topics.

Adjunct Instructor East Central College, Union MO, International Relations, Political Science

Teacher for troubled teens, Missouri Department of Family Services, Independent Living and Choices programs.

Crafting

storyteller

Curator/Artist, Tree Dialogues, 3 additional artists, gallery sound environment and treerecording booth for guests own stories; product, CD of stories. Initial venue, East Central College in Union Missouri, February, 2006

Curator Ozark Agriculture Museum at Maramec Spring Park, St. James, MO. Responsibilities included assembling objects for permanent exhibit, cataloging the museum’s collection, arranging for traveling shows and developing new educational materials.

Design