And off to Madison...

Image of the only Shrewsbury grandchild from the late 1800's.

It’s quiet on the river tonight. Quiet and cool. No barges in sight from one end to the other…just a couple of sailboats and a small fishing boat strolling by hoping to catch the last few fish of the day before going in. To the East the sky is blue, pale blue as in a robin’s egg, but to the West violet hues fall in ribbons. Except for a few lovers wrapped up around each other, I have the park to myself. I like it this way as my imagination can travel back in time with a flourish and I have no boundaries. This river, the beautiful Ohio River, is home to many towns and ports, but for me this week, Madison, Indiana is my town. No, I am not here to sightsee…well, not exactly. It started with a phone call early in the summer from Ellen Munds, Executive Director of Storytelling Arts of Indiana. The conversation went something like this, “Hi Lou Ann. It’s Ellen. So, the Shrewsbury-Windle House in Historic Madison just won the Cook Cup and we were hoping you would take the commissioned story. What do you think?”

I did have to think a moment.  On one hand, I love these projects having completed two Cook Cup commissioned pieces before: The Bass Mansion and The Charley Creek Inn in Wabash. On the other hand, I know how much work it is and this one will require overnight visits. On the other hand, as an artist, I am free to build my story in any way I choose. On the other hand, what if the magic doesn’t come and I get no story?

“Oh, I would love to,” I say without thinking anymore! And the deal is complete. The Cook Cup commissioned story is sponsored by Storytelling Arts, Indiana Landmarks, and Historic Madison, Inc. I hang up, mark the premiere date of February 16^th on my calendar. I mark off four full days of research and go about my other work until the time comes.

The time comes to pack up my Jeep and head out of town to begin the research. The drive is long and hot. Upon arrival, I stop at the Broadway Tavern for dinner and much needed conversation. I meet Larry who fills my head with ghost stories. Perfect. Larry tells me it is the oldest bar in Indiana. Much later I go check in to my home-away-from-home. I organize my room by throwing everything on the floor and fall asleep.

By 9:00 I am at the Shrewsbury-Windle House ready to meet John Staicer. John is the President and Executive Director for Historic Madison, Inc. and will be my guide and tour companion for the week. Actually I meet him at 9:15 as I get lost…even with my GPS. It is not a good way to start out, I think, but maybe he won’t notice. I shake his hand, chat my way out of being late, and enter the house, or should I say mansion?

The truth is no matter how many historic homes and locations I put my heart into, I am never prepared and always surprised at my amazement. The Shrewsbury-Windle House was built in 1846-1849 for Captain Charles Shrewsbury, his wife Ellen, and their six children. Just walking through the doors conjures up images of Christmas trees coming through the twelve-foot tall entry doors. There is so much to see and ask about, and it is magnificent. The restoration took five years to complete at a cost of 2.3 million dollars.

We tour the house, the basement, the attic, the outhouses, the gardens. I ask question after question and we are there for over three hours. It is easy for me to realize within the first few minutes that John and I are kindred spirits in our love for history and travel.

By noon I am faced with the daunting task of finding story. Finding story means combing through over fifty boxes of coal-sooted material gleaning a piece of story from a letter or a photograph or a household item or a diary. I spend three days in the belly of the archives. John comes to visit regularly anxious to find out what I have found. Other members of Historic Madison, Inc. make their way to me!

It is time to go home. The initial visit and research is complete. I have new friends, new stories, and a beautiful river to guide me through the twilight.

Life Stories

Dear Friends,

I read with interest Philip Howard's blog of two days past on the new state project of interviewing and collecting stories in North Carolina. 

This is not a controversial issue. This is important to gather our stories for preservation of our lives; who we are, how we live, and what we leave behind. 

In Indiana there is a similar project called Life Stories. It is a collaboration between the Indiana Historical Society, WFYI, and Storytelling Arts of Indiana.

I was fortunate enough to share my story in August while performing at the Fringe. Ellen Munds invited me to tell my story, anything I want to say!

I had an hour to speak. No problem for me!

At the appointed time I arrived. I have to say I was a little nervous, although I knew what I wanted to talk about without rambling. I decided to share my farm stories when my children were young.

The ladies were trained and were volunteers. They offered me water and told me how the interview would proceed. The microphone was on the table. They were also prepared with questions in case I (or whoever else would be telling) were at a loss of words or stories. They also told me they would take a couple of photos while I worked.

I began. I did not stop or falter. Of course, for me, I love talking. I make my living by talking! The women were interested, nodding me on, laughing or smiling or sharing other emotions as they emerged in the story.

This project is not for storytellers. It is for everyone. I am fortunate enough to have been asked to tell my stories. As you can imagine the hour flew by.

Eventually I will receive the recording which I will share with my children. In the meantime Ken Oguss, friend and videographer, works with the project by editing stories and pulling out small clips. My clip was just finished, and I love it.

I am adding it to the end, please take the time to see and listen to it. No, it is not about fishermen or oysters, but it is about a lovely Indiana farm.

I thought this was a good time to respond to the blog I referred to by giving my experience. Everyone should tell their story!

As always, thank you for reading and listening.

Lou Ann


http://lifestoriesproject.net/homan-lou-ann/

A weekend of Gypsy Stories, Helen Frost and John McCutcheon

 

 

Dear Friends,

Sometimes weekends turn out to be extraordinary as this one was. I drove my same pathway to Indianapolis (3 hours south) to tell my Gypsy Stories in the library at the Children's Museum. It was a free day at the museum, and it was wonderful to see all the families spending the day together.

 

Without changing clothes, I drove over to the History Center to the Author Fair to spend time with some of my favorite Indiana authors. I bought a book from Norbert Krapf and gushed over his work. I then spent time with poet, author, and friend, Helen Frost. I have watched Helen's work over the years change and evolve. Her latest book, "Step Gently Out," is a book of poems and photographs. All of my grandchildren already own signed copies. I don't think it is too late to order one of your own, it is spectacular!

 

I then spent the evening with Storytelling Arts of Indiana as they hosted musician, song-writer, and storyteller, John McCutcheon.

His featured piece, "Christmas in the Trenches," is such a moving story, I never tire of hearing it. The stage at the History Center was full of instruments, and he used them all.

 

At 12:30 a.m. Ellen and I finally had supper at our favorite hang out, Steak n' Shake (although we were good and didn't have the shakes.)

 

I did an interview with Helen Frost at the Author Fair, and here it is. I was scolded by a friend for not having enough quirky videos on my blog. So here is a fun video with a twist at the end. It is a little difficult to hear because of all the talking at the fair!

 

As always, enjoy,

Lou Ann

 







 

 

 

 



Helen Frost at the Author Fair in Indianapolis