As the Historical Research and Curation Manager at the Norlands Living History Center, Erica has many primary document resources at her fingertips to search through in the Kerk Kelsey Archive. Erica uses a software platform that categorizes archival material so that it can be located upon request. She also helps transcribe handwritten texts for ease of use and digital access, and ensures the proper care is taken for their storage and preservation.
Erica acts as Norlands' "resident historian", wading through the myriad documents, photos, speeches, and books written by and about the Washburn Founding Generation to help connect our visitors and others to the lives of those who lived here at Norlands. Her work also connects Norlands to other Washburn-related historical sites throughout Maine and the country and works to encourage further scholarship. Erica is also responsible for onsite exhibits and helps the team to build a cohesive narrative for our Discovery Pages (like this one!).
As the Digital Education Coordinator, Joe takes in all of the information and stories of Norlands history and finds a new and modern way to present it (in short, he builds the Discovery Pages as you see here). Each year, the public finds new ways to engage with media, consume stories, and discover new things to love. Joe's role is to make it as easy as possible for the community to learn about Norlands and feel compelled to return for more information and experiences.
It is a delicate balance to present the stories of a Living History Center in a modern technological age. That said, there is much we can learn from the Washburn family and their history in Maine (and across the country). Entrepreneurs and innovators in their own right, the Washburns always found a way to brave new frontiers and embrace the changing world. It is that spirit of the Norlands that we keep in mind as we research the family, stories, and artifacts, and find new innovative ways to present them to the world.