Woodville Volunteer Spotlight: Jeanne Nikolaison

The following is a question and answer with Woodville volunteer Jeanne Nikolaison

How did you first hear about Woodville? I came to some summer events years ago. I have 4 brothers and we attended lots of events like Whiskey Rebellion Day at Woodville. I was interested in the homes and way of life, so everyone in the family found something to enjoy!

Why did you want to volunteer at Woodville? I am retired and interested in local history, and Woodville is unusual and close to home. I knew I wanted to volunteer in retirement and Woodville offers opportunities that match my skills and interests.

What other things are you interested in? I like to read and garden, and I enjoy walking in nature.

What else would you like your new friends to know about you? I am a retired children’s librarian of twenty years in Pittsburgh. I loved working with kids and helping them connect what they were learning in the real world.

What does a typical volunteer shift look like for you? I generally assist in Admissions and the Gift Shop and help guests find interesting books and things to buy. I did one shift as a docent and that was very challenging but fun. I will do more tours this year as well.

What piques your interest about this site? This house is so well preserved and it is a hidden gem. The local history, the signatures on the window panes, the furnishings and grounds all hold fascinating stories.

What is something you cannot lie without? A cat.

What are your upcoming plans? I am hoping to visit Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts in the spring.

Tell us something about your family? We want to go to Plymouth due to the Mayflower connection - we descend from several signers of the Mayflower Compact.

And a bonus fun fact? I am teaching a three-part quilting class at Woodville starting June 1st for the second year. This craft would have been done at Woodville and dates all the way back to Medieval times. Jane Austen also wrote about it in Sense and Sensibility.