Current Position: Historic Site Manager 4
How long have you been with Louisiana State Parks and in what capacity?
I have worked for the Office of State Parks for almost six years. I started as the Horticulturist at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site and was promoted to Manager six months ago.
How did you become involved in working as a Historic Site Manager?
The state purchased Rosedown in 2000, and I immediately was interested in becoming the Horticulturist. I have always loved Rosedown’s immense garden, and my specialty in horticulture is antique roses and heirloom plants. I knew Rosedown needed a great deal of restoration work in the garden and I was very eager to try and bring the garden back to its original splendor. I worked on the garden for five years, restoring rose gardens, azalea gardens, and annual and perennial beds. When the previous manager left to pursue other interests, I applied and was promoted to the position.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
My day starts with brief meetings with the maintenance foreman, curator, and horticultural workers. The park opens and everyone begins his or her day. There is always a project going on at Rosedown, meetings with contractors, our maintenance foreman or consultants is normal. I always walk the site at least once a day. I check the garden and buildings for potential problems and to observe the progress the staff is making. I usually find visitors to talk to along the way, and always enjoy meeting with them. Of course, with any managerial job comes paperwork, emails, and letter writing.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
A 40-hour week is normal, however, the spring season usually causes that to expand to 50 or more hours per week.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Seeing the site improve and sharing the beauty with our visitors. Returning the site to a more historic appearance according to historical documentation. Receiving positive feedback from visitors regarding tours, site appearance, and living history programs.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
My staff and I have very high standards for how we want our site to appear to provide a positive experience for our visitors. My biggest challenge is helping the staff continue to improve the site every year. Everyone wants more flowers, more interpretive programs, better infrastructure and I want to make it all happen.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
I have a degree in Horticulture from LSU, and have managed several businesses before joining state parks.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
I wish I had more knowledge in antiques and decorative arts, which would allow me to better appreciate the significant collection of antiquities on display in the various historic structures on site.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
We are currently midway through an irrigation project that has been a real savior for the garden. Our garden is very mature and we had to design and implement an irrigation system that was completely different from normal systems. We used directional boring machines to protect old root systems and designed large metal irrigation structures to water the ancient azaleas and camellias that populate the garden.
In the plantation house we are working on protecting the floors. We recently installed Canton grass matting in several rooms of the house. This matting is the same material that would have been found in the house during the 19th century. Our next phase of the project is reproducing the original rugs and carpets. The carpets will be placed on the matting, adding additional protection to the wooden floors and giving an authentic look and feel to the flooring surface.
If someone were interested in working as a Historic Site Manager at a state park, what advice could you give them?
My advice is to always keep an open mind to new ideas and be prepared to have a great deal of patience. Old houses and old gardens need constant attention and work, but the rewards are more than worth the effort. I get to come to work in a beautiful place, and be a part of keeping Rosedown the special place it is.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I enjoy working in the Louisiana State Park system because of the diversity of its places and people. I also appreciate the interest the Office of State Parks takes in preserving and protecting its cultural heritage and history, and sharing that culture and history with the public.
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