My name is Tricia McEldowney, and I am the intern at the Garst Museum this summer. I am twenty-one years old and will be in my fourth and final year as an undergraduate student at the University of Toledo. I am majoring in history with a focus on Early American History (colonial-revolutionary-early republic time periods). I am minoring in political science. Also, I am enrolled in the Honors Program at Toledo.
I first became interested in history as a possible career choice as a junior in high school. I had an outstanding history teacher who had a gift at making every student enjoy his class while he actually taught the necessary material and forced us to learn and understand it. We enjoyed the class not because it was easy but because it was enjoyable to learn what he had to teach us. I have found that a good teacher makes all the difference in the world. When people tell me that they don't like history I tell them that that is not true. I tell them that they do not like the way they learned history. History can be so fun when approched the right way. That is part of my dream: to help people enjoy history despite their hesitations. I believe that the best way to achieve this goal is to work in a museum.
I currently intend to continue my higher education by working towards a Master's degree in Public History. I do not know where I intend to study for this degree, nor do I know where exactly I would like to work once I have the degree.
As for this summer, I am thoroughly enjoying my work at Garst. I have worked on many things, including helping prepare a grant, leading tours of school children and bus tours of adults, and accessioning museum artifacts. I have learned so much, and I am so thankful to everyone at the museum for helping me and sharing their knowledge with me, and for making me feel so welcome.
Sincerely, Tricia McEldowney
[Garst Museum hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Closed Mondays, Closed Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. The Museum is closed the month of January . Please consider becoming a member of the museum, for information call 548-5250. Or go to www.garstmuseum.org.]