Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Educator, Lane Sample Talks

On February 14, more than 40 people attended the Friends of the Steilacoom Library presentation on Fort Nisqually. Lane Sample, an educator at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum for over 19 years, started by clarifying that the “Fort” was not a military outpost but the local “office” of the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). HBC needed a fur trading post located centrally between Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River and Fort Langley on the Fraser River, in what is now British Columbia. Established in 1833, it was “Puget Sound’s first globally connected settlement.”

Originally located in a region of Dupont now known as the Home Course golf course, close to the Sequalitchew Creek, it was later moved to an area closer to Centre Drive. Over the years the emphasis changed from fur trading to farming and dairying.

SAMPLE HOLDING A FROE-TOOL USED TO MAKE SHINGLES FROM CEDAR BARK. PICTURE BY EMILY MOLINA.

Dr. William Fraser Tolmie would oversee the operation from 1840-1859. As HBC interests declined, and the rise of competing shops and stores in Steilacoom, the fort became known as the Puget Sound Agricultural Company (PSAC). In 1869, the same year that Fort Steilacoom was closed, Fort Nisqually was sold to the US government.

Lane illustrated life during these times by talking about Letitia Work Huggins, a métis (“a person of mixed indigenous and Euro-American ancestry” ? Wikipedia). Letitia’s father was a fur trader and her mother was part French Canadian and part Indian. She married Edward Huggins, the acting head of the Fort after Tolmie’s departure, and lived in the Factor’s House. In spite of having eight children, she become the Fort’s cook and was the first woman there to be paid for her work. Interestingly, Tolmie and Huggins were each married to one of John Work’s daughters, Jane Work Tolmie, and Letitia Work Huggins.

Thankfully, there were some very good early record keepers. According to Sample, there were over 507 mentions in the “Journal of Occurrences” between February of 1846 through September of 1859 that included the names: Steilacoom, Steilacoom City, Fort Steilacoom, and Port Steilacoom.

Records indicate Dr. Tolmie making trips to Steilacoom to purchase such items as seven-foot wagon wheels, at $25 a pair. Other entries describe the purchase of goods from Fort Nisqually by folks from Port Steilacoom, as well as beef contracts between Fort Nisqually and Fort Steilacoom. “As acrimonious as the Americans and the British were about some things, when it came to daily life, they were constantly doing business together,” says Sample.

The Edward Huggins family were the last to live at Fort Nisqually. In 1906 it was sold to the Dupont Company. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that the buildings were razed and restored in their current location at Point Defiance Park, in Tacoma by workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The Factor’s House and the Granary are the only two original buildings. Nothing remains at their early locations, but a historical sign.

At the end of her talk, Lane played a guessing game with historical items, some of which nobody could figure out. They included a froe (a tool used to make shingles from cedar bark, and a dibble stick (a stake used to poke holes in the ground for planting seeds). These items can be seen and handled at the Fort’s Museum.

Visit the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum which offers a variety of tours, education programs, and camps. There are special seasonal events like the Candlelight Tour, and a variety of Heritage skills classes. If you’re lucky, you just might run into Lane Sample while you’re there!

www.metroparkstacoma.org/place/fort-nisqually-living-history-museum/

Friends of the Steilacoom Library sponsor these free events in partnership with the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association.
Join us on Friday, March 13, 3 p.m. for: Pioneer Memories, Future Dreams: Eliza Jane Meeker

Published at: https://thesubtimes.com/2020/02/21/fort-nisqually-living-history-museum-educator-lane-sample-talks/?fbclid=IwAR0DdxkyjpAWxyPAqwpP39oVn1PzH65gnvxRyNlfJv4u1DkMz-O1f00baMU

Steeped in Comfort Tea Room: A True Lakewood Gem

Published at: http://www.southsoundtalk.com/2020/02/12/steeped-in-comfort-tea-room-a-true-lakewood-gem/?fbclid=IwAR1A_F–z0f7215a7Beh6moMGYbWmEio7TgOy4xDSwj6m0WigcgJbZEL470

Photo by Emily Molina

Starstruck

At some point in the career of a super stew, especially one based in New York, you are bound to have a celebrity onboard one of your flights. Most of the time it’s a routine and inconsequential conversation between the gate agent and the lead flight attendant stating that there is going to be a VIP onboard. The lead flight attendant usually passes the info along to the rest of the crew in the pre-flight briefing. Often the celebrity is escorted on board, along with their entourage. And believe it or not, many times in an attempt to go unnoticed, they simply board with the rest of the passengers. This of course, does not usually work and causes lots of staring, whispers and questions by other passengers. A super stew has only to glance at the passenger manifest in search of a name that stands out, or fulfills the identity of who they suspected it might be.

Super Stew

So it’s a little different when you find yourself in charge of not only keeping this person safe in the skies, but also protecting their anonymity while in your care. It’s not that you are forbidden to request an autograph, or a photo. But I always felt that there must be some perks to this job, and I was going to take advantage of every one of them. Sometimes you’re like, “Hmph, so that’s what (insert name here) looks like in real life- not so special.” And then, there’s the occasional secret jumping up and down behind the curtain in the galley rant: “Oh my God, it’s (Insert name here!)!” Composing myself before returning to the aisle and in the public eye. I have experienced both of these situations, but more of the former than the latter.

The jumping up and down and secretly freaking out incidents are lots of fun! One of these events occurred on a Super 80, when Matt Dillon boarded the flight. I was like, “It’s freakin Dally from The Outsiders people!” I was a little star struck. He was one of my teen heart throbs. Mind you, there is not a lot of room for any shenanigans in the tiny first-class galley on that plane. After waiting on him for most of the flight, I found him to be very down to earth and felt comfortable asking him for a photo. He was gracious enough to cram into the tiny space for a photo with me. As I hopped around giddy with excitement, I remember him saying to me, “Calm down.” Later that night after we had landed in New York, I wasn’t sure which was more disturbing, the wine stains on his shirt, or the fact that he asked for one of my co-workers number. He actually called her before the crew even deplaned!

Matt Dillon

On another occasion I had the pleasure of Benicio Del Toro on a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Not that he is your typical object of infatuation, but I admire his acting very much. I found myself standing next to his seat requesting an autograph. After the initial ice breaker of, “I really admire your films” I felt a little awkward just standing over him as he signed his name. What should we talk about, the weather? It was my big moment to say something really witty, and I got nothin!

Autograph from Benicio del Toro

One of my nicest celebrity encounters was surprisingly, Pamela Anderson. She traveled alone with her first son, Brandon, who must have been almost one at the time. She boarded the flight from JFK to LAX before the rest of the passengers, and sat in the middle two seats in first class on the 767 that day. Wearing a simple pink t-shirt, jeans, and no make-up, I recall thinking, “Wow, she is still really beautiful.” And nice. She was really nice, and soft spoken. I was not working in the first class cabin that day. I remember walking through the cabin during the flight, and she was actually sitting on the floor with the baby on a blanket, in front of her seat. Upon our arrival at LAX, I found myself assisting her as she waited for the VIP escort. She had her hands full, along with the baby. I opened my arms to him and he came right to me. So there I stood, holding Pammy’s baby, while she gathered her belongings. He was fine for a few minutes and then, he started to fuss a little. As she gathered him up, she said, “She may be pretty, but she’s not mommy.” And they disappeared with the VIP escort, leaving me to ponder the thought, “Did Pamela Anderson just call ME pretty???”

Each flight attendant has their own mental list of criteria in which a passenger becomes a total nuisance. On my list, you will simply see: Pauly Shore. Not that you would expect him to have any class at all, but I am here to tell you, he does not. Completely obnoxious, ringing his call button every five minutes for the most insignificant reasons. Throwing his fast food garbage everywhere. The entire area around him looked like a total pigsty. My co-worker wanted a photo with this jerk, so I obliged by taking the photo. This particular flight attendant was a heterosexual male. As they posed for the picture, Pauly Shore thought it would be funny to position his hand in an effeminate way, I guess to act “gay” or homosexual, even though my co-worker was neither. I could not wait until that flight ended.

Another very unpleasant celebrity encounter was with Larry King. He is just as crotchety in person as he seems on T.V., only worse because now you’re stuck with him for five to six hours. No, thank you.

My favorite celebrity encounter was with Tony Curtis. What a gentleman! He was traveling with his wife. I had to tell him what an honor it was to have him on our flight. I mean, this guy was in movies with Marilyn Monroe! He’s a legend! He literally kissed my hand, after writing his autograph, which reads: To Emily, A pleasure at 30,000 feet!” R.I.P Mr. Curtis.

Autograph from Tony Curtis

Seems silly now, but I was too afraid to ask Brandon Boyd, lead singer of the band Incubus for his autograph. Luckily, I had another super stew do it for me.

Early days at US Airways Express/Piedmont with Kurt Browning

Here is a list I used to carry around with me of all the famous people I met during my career:

Oh, and wasn’t it nice of me to take a picture of my fiance, at the time (husband since 2001) with Halle Berry?

Halle Berry

I guess he more than made up for it when he got these autographs for me on some of his own celebrity encounters.

Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen

Autograph from Leonardo DiCaprio

I met many celebrities in my years as a super stew. Some good experiences, some bad, but definitely all memorable. At the end of the day, you realize, they are all just people too when they’re standing (or sitting) there in front of you. They take off their shoes, and their feet stink. They eat fast food. They are not as tall, beautiful, handsome, or charismatic as they look on the screen. They sit on the floor with their kids. They have wine stains all over their shirt. They are not really who we think they are. Sometimes that is a pleasant surprise, and other times it is not. Comedian Steve Harvey said to me during a lengthy conversation on a flight once, “On the airplane, you are in the spotlight (meaning, the crew members). You are the stars”.

Below are some photos from my spouses celebrity encounters, although we don’t have pictures from all of them (not to date us- but it was a little before everyone having cell phones as they do now!)–we definitely have the memories!

Dick VanDyke

Jose Feliciano

Teri Hatcher

Historian to Discuss Life at Fort Nisqually

Fort Nisqually was first settled in 1833 in the Puget Sound region of what is now DuPont. The Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), founded in England, initiated it at the onset of the fur trade. As fur trade dwindled attention was turned more towards agriculture. In 1839, the large allotment of land became known as the Puget Sound Agricultural Company. They harvested a variety of fruit and vegetables as well as livestock.

By 1869 the Hudson’s Bay Company was all but gone, and the United States had bought out the acreage. Edward Huggins, formerly of the HBC, sought citizenship in the Land of Liberty, and staked a claim of the fort and lands. It was later, around 1906 when the DuPont Company would make its purchase.

Join us at the Steilacoom Historical Museum for the Explorations Speaker Series as Lane Sample, from the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, takes us back in time. We will learn about what life was like there as she recounts tales of its history, and relics from the period, along with its connection to Steilacoom.   

Lane Sample from the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum-photo credit Pierce Co. Library

Friday, February 14, 3 PM: Life at Fort Nisqually

Steilacoom Historical Museum

1801 Rainier Street

(253) 584-4133

Friends of the Steilacoom Library sponsor these free events in partnership with the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association.

Published at: https://thesubtimes.com/2020/02/07/historian-to-discuss-life-at-fort-nisqually/?fbclid=IwAR2g9f7SRiztUh5FxEKtielD671wvHdJueX7j-dRUktmw2xuOkxTesZiMaM

Robert E. May and the Romanticized Southern Plantation Christmas

Highly esteemed author and former Purdue University History professor joined the Steilacoom Historical Museum on MLK Jr.’s birthday to discuss the basis for his latest book: Yuletide in Dixie.

Robert E. May- Photo by Emily Molina

May argues that in the post-Civil War era, slavery was defended even more so and romanticized through the memoirs, novels, and poems of white slave owners. This detail is particularly prominent in references to Christmas time, and the endless joy and kinship that supposedly existed between masters and slaves.

Numerous published accounts refer to the slave Christmas experience as a festive occasion. Full of presents offered gratuitously by masters and mistresses. A magical period of time, over a week or more, spent in celebration. Immense holiday feasts shared by all. Everyone dressed to the nines, with fireworks, music, and revelry between slaves and masters.

On the contrary. May debates that scores of publishings have subtlety sustained racism through the years, and continued to cultivate stereotypes.

Yuletide in Dixie- Photo by Emily Molina

In his book, May deconstructs the myths of Christmas grandeur.  

Charles Ball, an African-American enslaved in Maryland wrote that during the Christmas season ‘they went to work as usual.’  Marilda Perry documented that, ‘it meant nothing more than any other day.’ Former governor of South Carolina, and planter, James Hammond in his own memoirs refers to ‘a loss of crops, and therefore, no holiday festivities.’

Although certainly there were slave masters that had celebrations and gave gifts, May points to the misleading impression about the quality of gifts given. In the journal of Thomas Chaplin, a cotton planter, he refers to having bestowed turnips upon his slaves, although he ‘wished they were working.’  

Robert E. May- Photo by Emily Molina

Many Southern narratives ignore the fact that there were sadistic masters that continued to force demeaning acts on slaves during Christmas time. Frederick Douglas, former slave and abolitionist, complained that slaves were forced drink alcohol. They were used for entertainment in wrestling matches. Controlling them in a way, as many were afraid of a black rebellion. “This keeps slaves from running away during a time of less supervision,” May remarked.

Whippings still took place. One master referred to putting a disobedient slave atop a scaffolding on display as punishment. Some masters bought and sold slaves, often separating them from their families, and even giving them away as gifts.

Another factor taking place in early January was that some slaves were rented out during surplus or shortages. They were usually rented out alone, for up to one year, to places like coal mines, railroads, and even the horse jockeying trade. They would come back during the yuletide season.

In some of the very same romanticized Old South publishings, one can find out precisely how poorly many slaves were treated by their master’s own accounts. Ironically, news reports of the day indicate a high number of slaves that chose to run away during Christmas time. May argues, “If it was so great, why run away at the time of year when they are treated the best?”

This FREE event was sponsored by the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association.

http://www.steilacoomhistorical.org/

Steilacoom Historical Museum

1801 Rainier Street

(253) 584-4133

Published at: https://thesubtimes.com/2020/01/31/robert-e-may-discusses-the-romanticized-southern-plantation-christmas/?fbclid=IwAR1acbNAwmN2V12JvOl827OzIMl7aDSBCxAUV1ieyG3WCsJ4qb6PtRixgHA