Geoffrey B. Michael
Greater Boston Area
617-651-1463 (voice) eleventhma@gmail.com
Living History Docent/Instructor/Researcher
Education and Credentials
Networking, Computer and Information Systems Program – Graduated December 2010
Lincoln Technical Institute – Somerville, Massachusetts
Bachelor of Arts Degree in History – Graduated June 2007
University of Alabama in Huntsville – Huntsville, Alabama
Senior Thesis: “The Forlorn Hope of the Union: Unionism in Kentucky, 1860-1865”
Awards and Honors
Student Ambassador, Lincoln Technical Institute
Dean’s List (for 3.8 GPA), Lincoln Technical Institute
Student Commencement Speaker for June 2011 Commencement at Lincoln Technical Institute – Somerville
Lifetime MENSA member
Historical Organization Membership
The New England Historic and Genealogical Society
The Kentucky Historical Society
The Filson Historical Society
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Published Research (Cited)
Noe, Kenneth W., ed. A Southern Boy in Blue: The Memoir of Marcus Woodcock, 9th Kentucky Infantry (U.S.A.). Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 1996.
Dickinson, W. Calvin, Kent T. Dollar, and Larry H. Whiteaker, eds. Sister States, Enemy States: The Civil War in Kentucky and Tennessee. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 2009.
Experience
King’s Chapel, Boston, Massachusetts 2012 to present
Verger
Assist clergy and staff with setup for services and events. Assist parishioners and visitors with questions, including historical questions as appropriate, and resolve problems. Distribute bulletins and programs to visitors. Secure and count donated money. Change display banners for events. Provide security for entrance of church and prevent interruption of services and events.
Historic New England – Otis House, Boston, Massachusetts 2012 to 2013
Guide
Lead visitors on tours of the house, emphasizing architecture, decoration, preservation techniques, historical trends, and changes to the structure and ownership of the house. Sell tours, books, and souvenirs to visitors. Answer phone.
Church of Our Saviour, Brookline, Massachusetts 2010 to 2012
Coordinator for Adult Education Forum
Conceive, research, write, and present programs for Sunday morning adult discussion program that cover topics such as: the role of religion in both abolitionism and pro-slavery defenses; the trials of Anthony Burns in Boston; the founding of Lawrence, Kansas and its history in the 1850’s and 1860’s; the history of the Lawrence family (abolitionists who founded the church); and the Underground Railroad.
Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts 2009 to present
Volunteer, Overnight Program
Assist teachers and teaching assistants in overnight program with wide range of educational activities for children ranging in age from 6 to 13. Prepare and teach science education curriculum to participants visiting the museum on overnight stays several evenings a month. Utilize established activities while adding new approaches to teach various types of science to mixed groups of children. Collect supplies and training materials to be used before program and clean up activity areas afterward. Assist visitors with questions and directions.
STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 1991 – 2001
Living History Volunteer
Conducted living history demonstrations for Civil War Union infantry, artillery, and signal corps in period uniform for visitors. Lectured on Civil War era topics such as the Stones River battle, daily lives of Civil War soldiers, Southern Unionism, and other topics as necessary. Guided special groups on battlefield walks. Occasionally traveled with the Stones River cannon crew to other National Battlefields for holiday programs involving a full artillery battery. Assisted visitors with directions, research questions, and general inquiries. Assisted rangers with creation and implementation of special programs.
9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, U.S.A. (Reactivated), Nashville, Tennessee 1991 – 2001
Unit Historian
Researched history of regiment, brigade, division, corps, and army as related to the 9th Kentucky. Conducted field trips to several counties in Kentucky and Tennessee to meet descendants, conduct research in local libraries, visit cemeteries and relevant historic sites. Made presentations to local groups such as the Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table, the Smith County Historical Society, the Continuing Education Department at University of Alabama Huntsville, and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Conducted living history presentations at historic sites such as the Carter House, Pickett’s Mill Historic Site, and the Atlanta History Center. Conducted extensive research on individual members of the regiment and their family histories.
Key Contributions:
- Discovered first known photograph of shell jacket issued to Kentucky Union troops in the Civil War. Received letter of thanks from Kentucky Military History Museum as a result.
- Created, edited, wrote, and published the Journal Junior, the unit newsletter in which much original research was presented to members and descendents.
- Acted as “core group” re-enactor for movie Andersonville.
Burritt Museum and Park, Huntsville, Alabama. 1994 – 1996
Living History Docent
Guided visitors on tours of historic structures dating from the 1850’s to 1900. Demonstrated period rural life with hands-on activities such as making fences, splitting firewood and shingles, tending various crops and garden plants, making soap and sorghum, and other activities as needed. Assisted with feeding and care of chickens. Assisted curator and other volunteers with planting, care, and harvesting of extensive vegetable gardens and crops. Assisted curator with historical research when needed.
Key Contributions:
- Researched and wrote proposal for Patriotism and Politics, 1850, a program that re-created a period 4th of July holiday. Assisted museum curator in organizing and planning for the event, including a Whig vs. Democrat political debate with actors in period costume. Created props for living history volunteers such as political signs and temperance pledges.
- Participated in filming of Distant War Fell Upon Us, a short film created for a traveling history education program that was also broadcast on Alabama Public Television.
- Created and conducted training workshops for living history volunteers on slavery and period popular culture.
Activities
Head Usher & Security, The Seraphim Singers, 2008- present
Patrol Officer in the Cambridge Auxiliary Police Department, 2009- present
Committee Chairperson for Cub Scouts Pack 6, Church of Our Saviour, Brookline, MA, 2010-2012.
Heirloom gardener 1994-present.
The Books are Taking Over... 