Through you, my ancient people, I am.

The Spirit
N E WSL E TTE R OF AG UA CA L I E N TE CU LTUR A L M U S E U M
Vol. XVIII No. 1 September/October/November 2013
in this issue
Shared Thoughts & Observations
2013–2014 Program Schedule
Events Spotlight
Acquisitions
Contributors
page 2
page 3
page 3
page 4
pages 5–7
announcing the
2013–2014 Season!
Through you, my ancient people, I am.
accmuseum.org
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“Read any good books lately?” is an often-heard
question. We all love a good book and, in some cases,
wish that we could sit down with the author to ask
about the meaning; the thought behind the book;
whether it is autobiographical or just pure fiction.
Native American writers are an under-recognized
category of authors. Our Book Talks introduced this
year will afford you an opportunity to delve into that
realm with three Native American authors.
In partnership with Palm Springs Public Library, Agua
Caliente Cultural Museum is bringing three Native
authors to Palm Springs. They will read from their
works and take part in what we hope will be a lively
question-and-answer evening. Details can be found in
our program listing in this issue of The Spirit.
We lead off in September with Gordon Johnson
(Cahuilla/Cupeño), author of Fast Cars and Fry Bread: Tales
from the Reservation. Gordon wrote this collection of
articles while a feature writer for The Press-Enterprise.
The articles are humorous and poignant and very
personal to this area. You will recognize the names of
many of the people in the stories.
In December, David Treuer, an Ojibwa from Minnesota,
a Ph.D. from Princeton and now a professor at USC,
will read from his critically acclaimed and latest book,
Rez Life. His works have been translated into several
languages. He is the son of an Ojibwa Tribal Court
Judge mother and a Holocaust survivor Jewish father.
We finish up in February with Elizabeth Woody, a
poet from the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon.
Elizabeth was the winner of the American Book Award
for her collection of poems entitled “Hand into Stone.”
They are included in her book Seven Hands - Seven Hearts.
All of our selected authors are gifted writers and have
insights into the nuances of their culture. They are
traditional storytellers in the true sense of Indian
cultures. Books featured in our Book Talks are for sale
at our Museum Store. Members of the Museum receive
a 15% discount on all purchases at the Museum. There
will also be some books for sale during the evening of
the readings.
The core of all that we do at Agua Caliente Cultural
Museum is grounded in the educational aspects of our
stated mission. Exhibitions, educational activities, and
cultural festivals developed by Museum staff are at the
heart of our public programming. In different ways,
each helps increase awareness, understanding, and
appreciation of our ancient history and culture – and
who we are in the 21st century.
The 2013-2014 programs announced in this issue of
The Spirit are designed to serve diverse audiences and
varied interests. They bridge cultures and generations of
Native and non-Native peoples who visit the Museum
and participate in our classes, lectures, and special
events offered throughout the season.
Too often, people – who typically learn about Plains
Indians from schoolbooks – arrive in Palm Springs
expecting to see feathered headdresses, buckskin
clothing, and tipis. Of course, that’s not the heritage of
our Tribe. How we bring attention to and address these
and other common misperceptions about Indians is
one of the many ongoing challenges we face in serving
diverse publics.
As we have seen in the exhibition Where Are the Tipis…
the changing perceptions about Indians, we can count on the
Museum staff to bring us programs that encourage us
to think and grow. Similarly, be sure to see our newest
exhibition, Through You, Our Ancient Leaders,We Became: Birth
of the Agua Caliente Band, opening October 30. In this
visual and audio presentation, you will learn about one
of the most challenging periods in Cahuilla history that
led to the present-day reservation system and our move
away from traditional ways of life.
Select the programs that most interest you. I think you
will be entertained, informed, and inspired!
I look forward to seeing you at Book Talks and other
programs announced in this issue of The Spirit. Enjoy!
Michael Hammond, Ph.D.
Executive Director
The Spirit
Mildred L. Browne
Chairwoman, Board of Directors
Braun research library collection, autry national center. clifford P. Baldwin, photographer. 1936
on the cover: Bird Dancer, Singing the Birds (Wikitmallem Tahmuwhae): Bird Song & Dance Festival
Shared Thoughts+Observations
Membership
Discover, experience, and enjoy
the gift of Native culture!
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, in
partnership with the Smithsonian
Institution Affiliations Program,
enriches the lives of Valley residents and
visitors through engaging exhibitions
and lectures, Native festivals, and
hands-on educational workshops.
In its role as a cultural and educational
resource, Museum programs and
activities tell the story of the Agua
Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and
contributions of all Cahuilla people to
the heritage of our region and nation.
Each year, the Museum welcomes over
22,000 visitors, and benefits more
than 6,000 local adults and children
who participate in its many educational
and cultural activities. Annual support
from members of Donors Circle and
Museum Circle helps make all this
possible.
We invite you to join today and begin
enjoying the benefits of your taxdeductible contribution. You may
also make a gift of a membership for
family and friends. Your membership
participation is deeply appreciated.
We look forward to being with you at
Museum programs and events planned
for the season.
Become a member of
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Today!
For more information,
call 760-833-8167.
Events Spotlight
Native
FilmFest
2013
Over 2,000 people
attended screenings
at Native FilmFest where
Native filmmaker
Chris Eyre was
awarded the first Richard
M. Milanovich Award for
Distinguished Contributions
to Indigenous Film.
Guest Programmer was
Elizabeth Weatherford,
Director, Film and
Video Center of the
Smithsonian National
Museum of the
American Indian.
Students, drawn
primarily from
film classes at Palm
Springs High School,
Cathedral City High
School, and Desert
Hot Springs High
School participated in
filmmaking workshops
led by filmmaker
Chris Eyre.
JointheMuseum!
Experience Native Palm Springs!
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Acquisitions
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum recently
acquired the items listed below.
Gift of Bonnie Ruttan
Gift of Renona Pennington
Gift of Jim Toenjes
Photograph of Father Hahn’s funeral
at St. Boniface, Banning, California,
1916
Photograph of a Native American
woman and a child standing in front
of an adobe building
Cloth, hand-stitched Navajo doll – a
woman with wool hair, green dress,
“turquoise” jewelry, leather boots, and
holding a felt flat bread. Made by Anna
Chee, Navajo
A packet of archival items from at least
two archaeological digs by Mr. Merle
Graffam, circa 1960s-70s – includes
handwritten notes and catalogs,
drawings of objects, 20 slides, copies of
articles and chapters from books
Photographs taken by Jim Toenjes, circa
1980, of artifacts (Cahuilla) collected by
Mr. Merle Graffam, circa 1960-70
Gift of Joan M. Jensen
Gift of Allan Ruegsegger
Six ASWET newsletters
(July through December, 2012)
Photograph from The Sporting News of the
most famous Cahuilla baseball player,
“Chief ” John Tortes Meyers in his late
50s/early 60s, squatting with a catcher’s
mitt, circa 1940s; typed description of
the photo pasted on the back of photo
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The Spirit
Two photographs of local writer
Paul Wilhelm at his home in
Thousand Palms, circa 1930-1950
Collection of letters to Capt. Charles
Tinucci from Paul Wilhelm,
circa 1940s
Gift of Debbie Purnel
Gift of Keith Shibou
Transcript of the hearing by the
House of Representatives, Special
Subcommittee of the Committee
on Interior and Insular Affairs,
regarding S. 2396 and land
allotments of the Agua Caliente
Reservation, 1957
Contributors
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum,
with a governing board of directors
and professional staff, is a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization that
welcomes financial support for its
mission from a broad range of
individuals and donor organizations.
Gifts to the Museum are taxdeductible. Contributions received
after July 15,2013 will be recognized
in the next issue of The Spirit. For
additional information about how
you can support the Museum,
please contact Steve Sharp, Director of
Development, at 760.833.8167.
Artists impressions, plans, and a model
of the new Museum building are on
display at the Museum.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Capital Campaign
Contributions to the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Capital Campaign are used to help
fund construction of a new 110,000 sq. ft. Museum facility in the heart of Palm Springs.
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
The Autry Foundation
Millie & Dave Browne
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Brianna R. Duran
In Memory of Daryl Pennington & Rosella Welmas
Priscilla Patencio Gonzales
Annette Segundo Guzman
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
Devin Guzman
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
Nastassja Leilani Guzman
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
Michael Hammond, Ph.D.
& Rebecca Hendrickson
In Memory of Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
& in Honor of Millie Browne
Sydne & Peter Heidrich
Ambrosia M. Howell
In Memory of Priscilla Patencio Gonzales
Larry & Meg King
In Honor of grandson Atom Ray Patencio Travis
Christina Marie Lewis
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
Christopher T. Lewis
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
David James Lewis
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
Larea Mae Lewis
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
Stacia Lewis
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
Virginia Milanovich
Fred H. Morris, Jr.
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Our Savior’s Community Church
To fund children’s education facilities
Alycia A. Patencio
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
Alycia A. Patencio & Reuben Travis
In Memory of Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Candace Patencio
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
John Patencio
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Ray L. Patencio, Jr.
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Mrs. Renona Pennington
In Memory of Flora Patencio
Dean W. Pieper
Frank Prieto
In Memory of Dora Joyce Prieto
Michael Prieto
In Memory of Dora Joyce Prieto
Andrew Purnel
In Memory of Priscilla Patencio Gonzales
Anthony Purnel
In Memory of Priscilla Patencio Gonzales
Debbie Purnel
In Memory of Priscilla Patencio Gonzales
Blake Alejo Richards
In Memory of Dora Joyce Prieto
Diana Richards
In Memory of Dora Joyce Prieto
Kyle Richards
In Memory of Dora Joyce Prieto
Sanborn Civil Engineering
Lindsey Segundo
Lois Segundo-Workman
& Carl Workman
In Honor of the Segundo Family
& in Memory of John, Mandy, Eugene & Juan Segundo
Connie Sharp
Steve Sharp
Mrs. Peter Siva
In Memory of Edmund Peter Siva
Rozene & Ric Supple
Joy M. Pierce Teel & Michael Teel
In Memory of Carrie Pierce McCoy
Twenty-Nine Palms Band
of Mission Indians
United States Congress
Lynn Walker
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The Augustine Band Of
cahuilla Indians
Proudly Supports The
Agua Caliente
Cultural Museum
Contributors
Annual Giving
2013-2014
Annual tax-deductible
contributions in the
form of memberships,
sponsorships, grants,
tributes, and matching
gifts provide funding that
helps ensure the availability
of quality exhibitions,
educational programs for
adults and children, and
cultural festivals throughout
the year. We gratefully
acknowledge the support of
our members, sponsors, and
other generous donors.
Members D o n o r s C i r c l e
E a g l e ($1,000 to $2,499)
Millie & Dave Browne
Michael Hammond, Ph.D.
& Rebecca M. Hendrickson
In Honor of their daughters
Nora and Anna
Elaine E. Hill & John H. Schoettler
In Memory of Patrick Patencio
In Memory of Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
In Memory of Dora Prieto
In Memory of Jeannette Prieto-Dodd
James R. Houston
Lamar Advertising Company
Fred H. Morris, Jr.
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Alycia A. Patencio & Reuben Travis
Myori & Ray L. Patencio, Jr.
& son Shane
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Debbie Purnel
In Memory of Priscilla Patencio Gonzales
Steve Sharp
Virginia Siva Gillespie
& Andrew Gillespie
Twenty-Nine Palms Band of
Mission Indians
P a l m ($500 to $999)
Allan & Linda Jo Bankus
Whitewater Rock & Supply Co.
Mr. & Mrs. Clint Miller
Mr H. Mark Schulz
Connie Sharp
In Memory of parents
Louise & George Sharp
M e s q u i t e ($250 to $499)
Anonymous (3)
Frank & Victoria Arellano
Ms. Jean C. Carrus
James Cornett & Terry Cornett
Ecological Consultants, Inc.
Steve T. Erickson
& Steven P. Degenhardt
Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Fey
Mr. Leonard A. Goldberg
Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Gonzales
Bill & Suzanne Houck
Harris Kight-Moore
In Honor of Mary & Robert Tilt, elders
Mr. Reid D. Milanovich
In Memory of Richard M. Milanovich
Naideen F. Nagle
Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. O’Linn
O’Linn Security Incorporated
Ms. Patti A. Patencio
Mr. Jordan Perzik
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The Spirit
Mr. & Mrs. Allan K. Ruegsegger
In Memory of Sterling Allen
Simmie & Keith Shibou
Mrs. Dorothy Walsh
Mrs. Diana J. Wiefels
In Memory of Howard H.Wiefels
P a l o V e r d e ($100 to $249)
Anonymous (6)
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Abel, Jr.
In Memory of
Chairman Richard M. Milanovich
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allan
In Memory of Rose Ann Mullin
Charmay Allred
Bart & Sharon Apfelbaum
Jackie & George Bagnall
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce R. Barton
Tom Bastow & Michael Call
Herb & Judy Bauer
Jack & Linda Beal
Lowell J. Bean, Ph.D.
Mr. & Mrs. Donald E. Bradley
Mrs. Judy Browne
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Burick
Mrs. Elaine Burnett
Elva & Bill Casey
Ronald D. Childers
& Richard M. Proctor
Dr. & Mrs. Michael J. Clapper
Samuel K. Coleman, Ph.D.
& Hiroko Kataoka, Ph.D.
Ms. Sandra Craig
Virginia S. Criste, Esq.
Keith & Donna Jean Darby
Mr. Norman Dufort
& Ms. Karen Goodman
Ms. Judith Eagan
Lee Elliott
Mr. Lee Elster
Mr. Justin F. Farmer
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Gaile
Michael & Eula Harris
Ms. Marjorie Hatcher
Ms. Betsy Hayes-Gonzalez
& Mr. Will Gonzalez
Mrs. Ann Heavey
Sydne Heidrich
Mrs. CleoBell Heiple-Tice
& Mr. Sid Tice
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hicks
Mrs. Gail Hicks Ostergaard
In Memory of Harold J. Hicks
Mr. & Mrs. Jose Higueras
In Memory of Frank Bogert
Bud & Barbara Hoover
Ms. Zara Waldeback
& Mr. Jonathan Horwitz
Katherine & Greg Hough
Ambrosia M. Howell
Mrs. Jeannine Jones
Mrs. Sofia S. Jones
Ms. Harriet Kay
Dr. & Mrs. Neil M. Keats
Linda & Tom Kieley III
Mr. & Mrs. Alex Kremer
Cheryl & Rick Lantz
Mary Jo Lass, Ed.D.
In Memory of Ray Patencio, Sr.
Mrs. Arlette Lea
K. Tsianina Lomawaima, Ph.D.
Janice Lyle, Ph.D.
Bill Meyer & Mildred Block
Mr. Michael L. Mink
& Mr. Michael D. Roberts
Audrey & Courtney Moe
Mrs. Mary Kay Patencio
Cindy Pieper
State Farm Insurance
Jim & Jeanne Pieper
Ms. Roxann Ploss
Andrew Purnel
Anthony Purnel
Marilyn Ekdahl Ravicz, Ph.D.
Mr. & Mrs. Victor Reyes
Mrs. Mary Schneller
Mrs. Mary Small
Ken & Jeanie Smith
Mr. Marvin Spreyne
Dr. Ronald W. Steigerwalt
& Mr. Michael P. Carson
George & Louise Stettler
Mr. & Mrs. Denis W. Trover
Phil Wilt
Reuel A. Young
Matching Gifts
Chevron Humankind
Matching Gift Program
GE Foundation
Matching Gifts Program
The Augustine Band Of
cahuilla Indians
Proudly Supports The
Agua Caliente
Cultural Museum
Sponsors
Special Events
Agua Caliente Band
of Cahuilla Indians
Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians
Helen K. Beamer with Princess
Abigail Kekaulike Kawananakoa
Lowell J. Bean, Ph.D.
Millie & Dave Browne
Cahuilla Creek Casino
Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Fagan
Harold Matzner
Melissa, Scott, Reid
& Tristan Milanovich
Karen & Clint Miller
Fred H. Morris, Jr.
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Alycia A. Patencio & Reuben Travis
Mary Kay Patencio
Myori & Ray L. Patencio, Jr.
& son Shane
In Memory of Elizabeth Pete Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians
Renona Pennington
Debbie Purnel
The Purnel Family:
Debbie, Anthony & Andrew
Purnel with George, George VI,
Lawrence, & Ambrosia M. Howell
In Memory of Priscilla Patencio Gonzales
San Manuel Band
of Mission Indians
Alexandra Sheldon
Virginia Siva Gillespie
Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
TASIN (Tribal Alliance of
Sovereign Indian Nations)
Union Bank,
Native American Market
In-Kind
Brilliant Events & Meetings, Inc.
Burrtec
Classic Party Rentals
Copley’s on Palm Canyon
Lamar Outdoor Advertising
of Palm Springs
Savoury’s Full Service Catering
Media Sponsors
2013-2014
Exhibition Media Sponsor
2013–2014 Outdoor Advertising
Media Sponsor
Desert Charities News
2013–2014 Media Sponsor
La Prensa Hispana
2013–2014 Media Sponsor
Special Gifts & Grants
Bequests
Alycia A. Patencio & Reuben Travis
Mary Kay Patencio
Connie Sharp
Ms. Corinne V. Siva
In Memory of Albert Santos Patencio
In Memory of Francisco Patencio
In Memory of Matilda Patencio Ruiz
Gifts of Artifacts, Art
& Archival Materials
Gift of Indigenous Garden
Mildred L. Browne
Capstone Publishers
Michael Hammond, Ph.D.
Mr. Kevin Hempe
Mrs. Joan M. Jensen
Ms. Sally McManus
Mrs. Renona Pennington
Debbie Purnel
Palm Springs Art Museum
Mr. Allan Reugsegger
Mrs. Bonnie Ruttan
Mr. Steve Sharp
Mr. Keith Shibou
Mr. Jim Toenjes
The creation of a unique indigenous garden at
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum was made
possible by generous gifts of plants, labor, time,
and expertise of:
Donald S. Karvelis, Ed.D.
Project Organizer
Avi Bet-Halakhmi, ASLA
Landscape Architect
AviBet Associates
Jesus Escamilla
Certified Arborist
Pro Landscaping, Inc.
Tribute Gifts
KVCR Public Broadcasting
& First Nations Experience
2013–2014 Media Sponsors
Camelot Theatres/RR Broadcasting
2012–2013 Media Sponsor
2013–2014 Media Sponsor
The Sun Runner
2013–2014 Media Sponsor
The Standard
2013–2014 Media Sponsor
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allan
In Memory of Rose Ann Mullin
Patricia L. Erickson
In Honor of Millie Browne
Gayle Fierce-Lynch
In Memory of Roy A. Fierce
& Jean A. Fierce
Michael Hammond, Ph.D.
& Rebecca M. Hendrickson
In Honor of their daughters Nora & Anna
Mrs. Gail Hicks Ostergaard
In Memory of Harold J. Hicks
Mr. & Mrs. Jose Higueras
In Memory of Frank Bogert
Mr. and Mrs. Larry R. Hochanadel
In Memory of Bill Foster
Harris Kight-Moore
In Honor of Mary & Robert Tilt, elders
Mary Jo Lass, Ed.D.
In Memory of Ray Patencio, Sr.
Fred H. Morris, Jr. In Memory of Elizabeth Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Alycia A. Patencio & Reuben Travis
In Memory of Corinne V. Siva
Myori & Ray L. Patencio, Jr.
& son Shane
In Memory of Elizabeth Monk
& Ray L. Patencio, Sr.
Renona Pennington
In Memory of daughter
Lucretia Joy Pennington
Connie Sharp
In Memory of parents
Louise & George Sharp
Bernardo Linares
Gardener
accmuseum.org
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Administration Offices
901 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite C-204
Palm Springs, CA 92262
telephone: 760.778.1079
fax: 760.322.7724
AG UA CA L IE N T E
Smithsonian
Institution
Smithsonian
Institution
Affiliations Program
CU LTURAL M US E U M
Affiliations Program
Mission statement
The Agua Caliente Cultural
Museum inspires people to learn
about the Agua Caliente Band of
Cahuilla Indians and other Native
cultures.We keep the spirit alive
through exhibitions, collections,
research, and educational programs.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum was
the first Native American museum
to be part of the Smithsonian
Institution Affiliations Program.
This special relationship provides
opportunities to share resources
in programming, collections,
scholarship, and technical expertise
– and entitles the Museum to bring
world-acclaimed Smithsonian
exhibitions to the Coachella Valley.
The Spirit is published three times annually by
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum,
a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public corporation.
Copyright of The Spirit and its content is held
by the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum unless
expressly stated otherwise. All rights reserved.
M u s e um lo cation
Boa r d of D ir e ctor s
Sta ff
The Museum is located at
Mildred L. Browne Chairwoman
Diana Richards Vice-Chairwoman
Debbie Purnel Secretary
Joy M. Pierce Teel Treasurer
Lowell J. Bean, Ph.D.
Tashana J. Bednar
Virginia Siva Gillespie
Reid D. Milanovich
Renona Pennington
Joseph A. Roman, Esq.
Kim Snyder
Cierra Teel
Michael Hammond, Ph.D. Executive Director
Ashley Dunphy Acting Curator
Cara Stansberry Archivist
Steve Sharp Director of Development
Jackie Bagnall Office Manager
Claire Victor Administrative Assistant/Programs
The Spirit Lives®
219 South Palm Canyon Drive
in downtown Palm Springs
between Arenas Road & Baristo Road.
760.778.1079
M u s e um & m u seu m store Hours
September through May
Wednesday through Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
June through August
Friday through Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Patty Delgado Elliott Emeritus
Virginia Milanovich Emeritus
Alexandra Sheldon Emeritus
8
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Ursula Cripps Museum Interpreter
Tom Cole Museum Interpreter
Donald Karvelis, Ed.D. Museum Interpreter
Tina Richey Museum Interpreter