by Steven Dugan
One of the new faces to appear at the Homestead is Collections Volunteer Amanda Foster. Amanda joined us in September 2015, and dove right into cataloging and collection maintenance. She works for a local insurance agent to pay the bills, but it does not take long to discover that history is a big passion for her. With the future goal of working in a museum, she also uses her talents to help out at the Center for Oral and Public History at Cal State Fullerton, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in history in January. In her spare time, Amanda likes to knit, crochet, cross-stitch, and recently learned how to spin. We are pleased to welcome Amanda to the Volunteer Staff.
How did you discover the Homestead Museum?
I honestly do not remember how I heard about the museum, but I have been visiting for years.
What made you think it would be a good place to volunteer?
About three years ago I decided I was interested in curation and/or archival work. Since I had visited the Homestead Museum so much I decided it would be a good place to volunteer and gain “training” for my future.
What are some of your favorite things to do as a Collections Care volunteer?
I love that I get to hold a piece of history every time I am at the Homestead Museum. I am so excited to work on entering items into the collection as well as learn how to maintain items currently in the collection.
Like many of our volunteers, you are not new to volunteerism. Where else do you currently volunteer, or have you volunteered in the past?
For the past ten years I have volunteered at the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale. I have also done an internship at the Center for Oral and Public History in Fullerton. Now that I am done with my BA, I am hoping to fill my spare time volunteering at the Heritage House or Harada House in Riverside.
Amanda was a great intern at the Center for Oral and Public History, but her passion extended beyond archives. What a great opportunity for her — and for the Homestead!