Joy Medley Lyons interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-07-12
Joy Lyons, retired Chief of Program Services in the Division of Interpretation at Mammoth Cave National Park, talks about her National Park Service career (1979-2013). Lyons was a proponent for this project and hers, the first of the Kentucky interviews, served as the basis for subsequent interviews in this collection. Lyons talks about her life-long career as a park ranger; her connection to Kentucky…
William Duvall interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-02
Joe Duvall grew up in the Mammoth Cave area (Barren County, Kentucky) and began his career as a cave guide at Diamond Caverns, a nearby private cave. This interview features stories about his work for competing caves (during a period known as "the cave wars"); going to work at Mammoth Cave--first working at the hotel, then as a cave guide; his days teaching high…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Duvall, William - Björkman, Brent
Date:2013-01-01
Film, Video
Keven Neff interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-02
Keven Neff began his career as a junior high school science teacher. In search of summer employment, he applied to work at Mammoth Cave, since it was only a day's drive from his home in Ada, Ohio. After several unsuccessful attempts, he was hired at Mammoth Cave, first as a seasonal ranger and then, in 1969, as a full-time ranger. In this interview, Neff…
Johnny Merideth interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-03
Johnny Merideth grew up near Mammoth Cave National Park and remembers it from his childhood. He majored in geology at Western Kentucky University and honed his interpretive and presentational skills working at other local independently-owned caves before getting his Park Service job in 1996. Merideth discusses how his wife supported his "sticking it out" as a seasonal employee for a number of years before…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Merideth, Johnny - Björkman, Brent
Date:2013-01-01
Film, Video
David Spence interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-03
David Spence grew up near the Mammoth Cave Park and as a child visited the park with his family. He attended Western Kentucky University and focused on anthropology. Early in his career, he was hired as an assistant archaeologist to do a cultural inventory for Earthwatch. He talks about the connection between the Earthwatch program and Mammoth Cave National Park and his lucky break…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Spence, David - Björkman, Brent
Date:2013-01-01
Film, Video
Jackie Wheet interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-04
Bowling Green native Jackie Wheet began his career at Mammoth Cave as a summer intern helping to run a school project. As a Parks and Recreation major in college, he continued his involvement with environmental educational programs for youth and fell in love with the Park's cave culture. He worked for a privately-owned cave for two years before securing a seasonal position at Mammoth…
Jenny Smith interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-04
Growing up in nearby Cub Run, Kentucky, Jenny Smith did not anticipate a career as a ranger until she interviewed rangers about the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) for her master's degree. She became a ranger in June 2013. In this interview, Smith shares an intimate overview of her first days on the job, the process of acquiring park knowledge to share with the visitors,…
Charles DeCroix interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-05
After completing a forestry degree at the University of Illinois-Carbondale, Charles DeCroix was hired as an interpreter (cave guide) at Mammoth Cave National Park in 1990. Although he grew up in a family of "outdoor types," he never considered a Park Service career until talking to his sophomore roommate. DeCroix begins by sharing his thoughts about Mammoth Cave as a park in which many…
Contributor:
Decroix, Charles J. - Occupational Folklife Project - Björkman, Brent
Date:2013-01-01
Film, Video
Saene Garcia interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-05
Saene Garcia is an office assistant in the shift office at the Mammoth Cave Visitor's Center. Currently a college student, she has been a seasonal park employee for the past five years, beginning in the Pathways Program, a government program that ensures summer employment for student enrolled in post-secondary education. As an office-based support person, Garcia wears many hats: she discusses her diverse work…
James Carroll interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-01-10
James Carroll began his career as a seasonal ranger at Mammoth Cave National Park while a student at Western Kentucky University, and following after a year-and-a-half in Vietnam. After college graduation in 1972, and while still a seasonal employee, Carroll found full-time National Park Service employment at Biscayne National Monument, working primarily as a law enforcement officer. He talks about how he returned to…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Carroll, James - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
Lewis Cutliff interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-02-18
Lewis Cutliff was born at Mammoth Cave before it was officially a national park. His father was a guide, his grandfather was a photographer, and a number of aunts and uncles also worked at various park related jobs. After leaving the Air Force in 1955, Cutliff worked at the park as a guide, and eventually became assistant chief before his retirement in 1992. Cutliff…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Cutliff, Lewis D. - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
Kathy Proffitt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-02-20
Kathy Proffitt is the Daily Operations Supervisor at Mammoth Cave National Park. Growing up locally, Proffitt made numerous class visits to the park, and in her senior year a guidance counselor suggested that she apply to Mammoth for summer work. Although she planned to be a classroom teacher when she was first hired in 1987, she soon realized that her love of the park…
Darlene Owens interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-16
Owens grew up in Southern California and attended Western Kentucky University. She planned to become a veterinarian before a family trip to the Park changed her career direction. She began working at Mammoth Cave National Park in 1996. Owens talks about her interpretive guide work and--although she hadn't had previous public speaking experience--how working as a guide was a natural progression from her initial…
William "Tres" Seymour interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-16
William ("Tres") Seymour began working at Mammoth Cave National Park as a guide in 1987. One of the longest-serving park rangers, he apprenticed with many of the old-time guides and has seen many changes. He discusses the concept of "mentorship"; what being a "guide" means to the National Park Service; how the public perceives "guides"; how guides have moved from a "raconteur model" to…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Seymour, Tres - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
Vickie Carson interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-16
Growing up in Wisconsin and traveling and camping with her family shaped Carson's love of the outdoors. She majored in natural resource management in college before being hired at Mammoth Cave National Park as a seasonal guide in 1978. Carson recalls experiences during her first summer at Mammoth as one of 20 new guides; apprenticing with one of the long-time guides; and how large…
Brian Sacia interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-17
U.S. National Park Ranger Brian Sacia is in charge of the field training programs at Mammoth Cave, Big South Fork, and Cumberland Gap parks. Interested in parks since his youth, Sacia tailored his education to a parks career, which he began at St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in 1996. He then went to Katmai National Park as a backcountry ranger before becoming a permanent…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Sacia, Brian - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
Peter Zahrt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-17
U.S. Park Ranger Peter Zahrt began his law enforcement career in high school working as a security officer for the Indiana State Park system. After college, he attended several seasonal NPS law enforcement academies, which helped him secure a NPS job. Zahrt shares stories of his progress through the ranks, beginning with his first assignment as a seasonal law enforcement officer at Isle Royale…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Zahrt, Peter - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
David Alexander interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-17
A law enforcement officer with Mammoth Cave's Emergency Services, Alexander grew up in nearby Brownsville in a law enforcement household. He was first hired as a cave guide and also worked in Mammoth's environmental education program. After graduation, he took law enforcement training classes in North Carolina and returned to Mammoth Cave in 1992. Alexander talks about how camaraderie is integral to a ranger's…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Alexander, David - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014
Film, Video
Charles Wells interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-23
Charles Wells was previously named the regional winner of the National Park Service's prestigious Harry Yount Award, which honors rangers "who have the skills to perform a wide scope of ranger duties." He grew up near Mammoth Cave National Park, and in 1980, while a student at Western Kentucky University, was hired by the Young Adult Conservation Corps. Deciding to pursue a career as…
Joel Gillespie interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-23
Joel Gillespie first considered becoming a park guide in fourth grade and began working at Mammoth Cave as a seasonal employee in 2004. With some prior experience working in zoos, he found becoming an interpreter was an easy transition. He talks briefly about not being "omniscient" and collaborating with co-workers to acquire and incorporate new information. He talks about his research that has enabled…
Contributor:
Gillespie, Joel - Occupational Folklife Project - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
Joshua Clemons interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-24
Joshua Clemons is a National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement ranger who even as a child was concerned about people who were violating park rules like illegally feeding wildlife. Clemons talks about being hired by the NPS as a college student and rising through the ranks. He shares stories about criminal activity in the Park and his experiences as a field trainer. He discusses…
Bobby Carson interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-24
Bobby Carson is the Chief of Science and Resource Management at Mammoth Cave National Park. His family ties to Mammoth Cave date back to 1911, and he has been working for the National Park Service (NPS) for 38 years. He recounts his efforts to reduce and manage radon exposure; working as air quality manager during the 1980s; and traveling to other national parks to…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Carson, Bobby - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
David Wyrick interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-24
Mammoth Cave Chief of Interpretation David Wyrick grew up in an outdoorsy family near Carlsbad Caverns and even as a child was interested in becoming a park ranger. After working in the Pacific Northwest during college, he was hired by the National Park Service (NPS) and returned to Carlsbad Caverns. He explains that the dark, quiet atmosphere in the cave wasn't for him. He…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Wyrick, David - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
David Lyons and Joy Medley Lyons interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-05-19
A couple, David Lyons and Joy Medley Lyons both started working for the National Park Service (NPS) in the 1970s and met in the Mammoth Cave guide lounge. David left after 15 years as a law enforcement ranger; Joy only recently retired in 2013. At first, they rented a house through the park and now live just outside the park's boundaries. The couple discuss…
Contributor:
Lyons, David M. - Lyons, Joy Medley - Occupational Folklife Project - Björkman, Brent
Date:2014-01-01
Film, Video
Bobby Steenbergen interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-05-21
Bobby Steenbergen, who has family ties to the Mammoth Cave National Park, first started working there as a seasonal employee in 1977, while still working as a teacher. He believes giving tours improved his teaching skills and ability to communicate. He now works alongside his granddaughter, who is also a guide. Although he started the job as a source of supplementary income, he has…
Contributor:
Occupational Folklife Project - Björkman, Brent - Steenbergen, Bobby
Audio RecordingJoy Medley Lyons interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-07-12 Joy Lyons, retired Chief of Program Services in the Division of Interpretation at Mammoth Cave National Park, talks about her National Park Service career (1979-2013). Lyons was a proponent for this project and hers, the first of the Kentucky interviews, served as the basis for subsequent interviews in this collection. Lyons talks about her life-long career as a park ranger; her connection to Kentucky…
Film, VideoWilliam Duvall interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-02 Joe Duvall grew up in the Mammoth Cave area (Barren County, Kentucky) and began his career as a cave guide at Diamond Caverns, a nearby private cave. This interview features stories about his work for competing caves (during a period known as "the cave wars"); going to work at Mammoth Cave--first working at the hotel, then as a cave guide; his days teaching high…
Film, VideoKeven Neff interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-02 Keven Neff began his career as a junior high school science teacher. In search of summer employment, he applied to work at Mammoth Cave, since it was only a day's drive from his home in Ada, Ohio. After several unsuccessful attempts, he was hired at Mammoth Cave, first as a seasonal ranger and then, in 1969, as a full-time ranger. In this interview, Neff…
Film, VideoJohnny Merideth interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-03 Johnny Merideth grew up near Mammoth Cave National Park and remembers it from his childhood. He majored in geology at Western Kentucky University and honed his interpretive and presentational skills working at other local independently-owned caves before getting his Park Service job in 1996. Merideth discusses how his wife supported his "sticking it out" as a seasonal employee for a number of years before…
Film, VideoDavid Spence interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-03 David Spence grew up near the Mammoth Cave Park and as a child visited the park with his family. He attended Western Kentucky University and focused on anthropology. Early in his career, he was hired as an assistant archaeologist to do a cultural inventory for Earthwatch. He talks about the connection between the Earthwatch program and Mammoth Cave National Park and his lucky break…
Film, VideoJackie Wheet interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-04 Bowling Green native Jackie Wheet began his career at Mammoth Cave as a summer intern helping to run a school project. As a Parks and Recreation major in college, he continued his involvement with environmental educational programs for youth and fell in love with the Park's cave culture. He worked for a privately-owned cave for two years before securing a seasonal position at Mammoth…
Film, VideoJenny Smith interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-04 Growing up in nearby Cub Run, Kentucky, Jenny Smith did not anticipate a career as a ranger until she interviewed rangers about the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) for her master's degree. She became a ranger in June 2013. In this interview, Smith shares an intimate overview of her first days on the job, the process of acquiring park knowledge to share with the visitors,…
Film, VideoCharles DeCroix interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-05 After completing a forestry degree at the University of Illinois-Carbondale, Charles DeCroix was hired as an interpreter (cave guide) at Mammoth Cave National Park in 1990. Although he grew up in a family of "outdoor types," he never considered a Park Service career until talking to his sophomore roommate. DeCroix begins by sharing his thoughts about Mammoth Cave as a park in which many…
Film, VideoSaene Garcia interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2013-12-05 Saene Garcia is an office assistant in the shift office at the Mammoth Cave Visitor's Center. Currently a college student, she has been a seasonal park employee for the past five years, beginning in the Pathways Program, a government program that ensures summer employment for student enrolled in post-secondary education. As an office-based support person, Garcia wears many hats: she discusses her diverse work…
Film, VideoJames Carroll interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-01-10 James Carroll began his career as a seasonal ranger at Mammoth Cave National Park while a student at Western Kentucky University, and following after a year-and-a-half in Vietnam. After college graduation in 1972, and while still a seasonal employee, Carroll found full-time National Park Service employment at Biscayne National Monument, working primarily as a law enforcement officer. He talks about how he returned to…
Film, VideoLewis Cutliff interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-02-18 Lewis Cutliff was born at Mammoth Cave before it was officially a national park. His father was a guide, his grandfather was a photographer, and a number of aunts and uncles also worked at various park related jobs. After leaving the Air Force in 1955, Cutliff worked at the park as a guide, and eventually became assistant chief before his retirement in 1992. Cutliff…
Film, VideoKathy Proffitt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-02-20 Kathy Proffitt is the Daily Operations Supervisor at Mammoth Cave National Park. Growing up locally, Proffitt made numerous class visits to the park, and in her senior year a guidance counselor suggested that she apply to Mammoth for summer work. Although she planned to be a classroom teacher when she was first hired in 1987, she soon realized that her love of the park…
Film, VideoDarlene Owens interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-16 Owens grew up in Southern California and attended Western Kentucky University. She planned to become a veterinarian before a family trip to the Park changed her career direction. She began working at Mammoth Cave National Park in 1996. Owens talks about her interpretive guide work and--although she hadn't had previous public speaking experience--how working as a guide was a natural progression from her initial…
Film, VideoWilliam "Tres" Seymour interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-16 William ("Tres") Seymour began working at Mammoth Cave National Park as a guide in 1987. One of the longest-serving park rangers, he apprenticed with many of the old-time guides and has seen many changes. He discusses the concept of "mentorship"; what being a "guide" means to the National Park Service; how the public perceives "guides"; how guides have moved from a "raconteur model" to…
Film, VideoVickie Carson interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-16 Growing up in Wisconsin and traveling and camping with her family shaped Carson's love of the outdoors. She majored in natural resource management in college before being hired at Mammoth Cave National Park as a seasonal guide in 1978. Carson recalls experiences during her first summer at Mammoth as one of 20 new guides; apprenticing with one of the long-time guides; and how large…
Film, VideoBrian Sacia interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-17 U.S. National Park Ranger Brian Sacia is in charge of the field training programs at Mammoth Cave, Big South Fork, and Cumberland Gap parks. Interested in parks since his youth, Sacia tailored his education to a parks career, which he began at St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in 1996. He then went to Katmai National Park as a backcountry ranger before becoming a permanent…
Film, VideoPeter Zahrt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-17 U.S. Park Ranger Peter Zahrt began his law enforcement career in high school working as a security officer for the Indiana State Park system. After college, he attended several seasonal NPS law enforcement academies, which helped him secure a NPS job. Zahrt shares stories of his progress through the ranks, beginning with his first assignment as a seasonal law enforcement officer at Isle Royale…
Film, VideoDavid Alexander interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-17 A law enforcement officer with Mammoth Cave's Emergency Services, Alexander grew up in nearby Brownsville in a law enforcement household. He was first hired as a cave guide and also worked in Mammoth's environmental education program. After graduation, he took law enforcement training classes in North Carolina and returned to Mammoth Cave in 1992. Alexander talks about how camaraderie is integral to a ranger's…
Film, VideoCharles Wells interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-23 Charles Wells was previously named the regional winner of the National Park Service's prestigious Harry Yount Award, which honors rangers "who have the skills to perform a wide scope of ranger duties." He grew up near Mammoth Cave National Park, and in 1980, while a student at Western Kentucky University, was hired by the Young Adult Conservation Corps. Deciding to pursue a career as…
Film, VideoJoel Gillespie interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-23 Joel Gillespie first considered becoming a park guide in fourth grade and began working at Mammoth Cave as a seasonal employee in 2004. With some prior experience working in zoos, he found becoming an interpreter was an easy transition. He talks briefly about not being "omniscient" and collaborating with co-workers to acquire and incorporate new information. He talks about his research that has enabled…
Film, VideoJoshua Clemons interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-24 Joshua Clemons is a National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement ranger who even as a child was concerned about people who were violating park rules like illegally feeding wildlife. Clemons talks about being hired by the NPS as a college student and rising through the ranks. He shares stories about criminal activity in the Park and his experiences as a field trainer. He discusses…
Film, VideoBobby Carson interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-24 Bobby Carson is the Chief of Science and Resource Management at Mammoth Cave National Park. His family ties to Mammoth Cave date back to 1911, and he has been working for the National Park Service (NPS) for 38 years. He recounts his efforts to reduce and manage radon exposure; working as air quality manager during the 1980s; and traveling to other national parks to…
Film, VideoDavid Wyrick interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-24 Mammoth Cave Chief of Interpretation David Wyrick grew up in an outdoorsy family near Carlsbad Caverns and even as a child was interested in becoming a park ranger. After working in the Pacific Northwest during college, he was hired by the National Park Service (NPS) and returned to Carlsbad Caverns. He explains that the dark, quiet atmosphere in the cave wasn't for him. He…
Film, VideoDavid Lyons and Joy Medley Lyons interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-05-19 A couple, David Lyons and Joy Medley Lyons both started working for the National Park Service (NPS) in the 1970s and met in the Mammoth Cave guide lounge. David left after 15 years as a law enforcement ranger; Joy only recently retired in 2013. At first, they rented a house through the park and now live just outside the park's boundaries. The couple discuss…
Film, VideoBobby Steenbergen interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-05-21 Bobby Steenbergen, who has family ties to the Mammoth Cave National Park, first started working there as a seasonal employee in 1977, while still working as a teacher. He believes giving tours improved his teaching skills and ability to communicate. He now works alongside his granddaughter, who is also a guide. Although he started the job as a source of supplementary income, he has…