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Volunteer Spotlight: End of an Era at the King Caesar House by Alison Arnold It was a sad day when the phone calls came into the office of the DRHS. For at least 25 years, Kit Clapp, Doris Handy and Bea Richards were the mainstay of Sunday afternoons at the King Caesar House as docents. We were sad to lose Kit Clapp when she retired two years ago. And now with Doris Handy’s and Bea Richard’s retirement this spring, the end of era has come at the King Caesar House. In talking to these women about the years they spent at the King Caesar House, one theme kept recurring. People. The people they greeted as visitors to the house and the people with whom they worked. One afternoon recently, I spoke with all 3 ladies about their experience. Question: When did you start as a docent? Richards: Early 1980’s Handy: Quite soon after the house opened – late 60’s Clapp: Early 1980’s Q: Why did you become a docent? Richards: I was active in the Society before then and when I retired from work it seemed like a nice thing to do. Handy: I was always interested in history and was fascinated with the King Caesar House and the people who lived there Clapp: I had always been interested in the history of the house so when I moved here, it seemed like the right thing to do. Q: Who has been your most interesting visitor(s)? Richards: The 5th graders – year after year. Their curiosity and attentiveness was fun. The were at a great age and they were fun to take around the house Handy: Everyone who visited the house has been interesting. My favorites have been the people from other historical societies. Always comparing houses and such. The people from Colonial Williamsburg were always fun. Q: Any stories about the House that would be interesting? Handy: Well, there was the story about the antique sword that was in the Ford Store Landing in the Potter Gallery. It went missing and the rumor was that someone walked off with it by sticking it down their pants. Also, back in the early 1980’s the docents wore period costumes. It was abandoned because it was felt the costumes were not authentic enough. Q: What was your favorite part of being a docent? Richards: The people. You could tell when a husband was there against his will or when one was a history buff and was hanging on every word. Handy: Meeting people. Being able to share my love of the House and especially the East Parlor and the wallpaper. I was in charge of the docents for 3 years. I used to sit in the winged back chair in the East Parlor and pretend that I was Mrs. Weston. Clapp: Getting to know the house and pass the information on. So thank you Bea Richards, Doris Handy and Kit Clapp. Thank you for being there every Sunday afternoon whether there was a visitor or not, whether it was 60 degrees or 90 degrees. Sundays will never be the same.# |
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