Early in the project, people and their personal stories became obviously fascinating. A short “I work in ___ and live in ___” would result in a five-deep email conversation with an interesting person I wouldn’t have interacted with otherwise. So when number #102 had to go to someone with “Historian” in their email sig, I had to know more.

I really am a Real Live Historian. Yay!

Long story short - I’m 31, a huge Sci-Fi fan, a huge NASCAR fan (my thesis will be on rural communities and local race tracks.) I live in the Bay Area, which just means near San Francisco. I’m from the mountains though, and feel out of sorts most days, living with so many people near. Me and my cat keep my grandma company and live here with her. I was going to say “take care” of her, but at 94 she often kicks my behind at bowling, so I’ll just say “keep company” instead.

I went from being a medievalist and studying old books to being a historian studying old buildings. I work in SF as the historian for a preservation architect, and in two weeks I’ll be exactly one year away from getting a Master’s in Historic Preservation.

I’m actually in school at Goucher College in Maryland. We have a self directed program that allows us to have professors that are, for example - Official White House Historians, National Trust directors, architects, engineers and all kinds of folks from the profession. Its cool.

I’m super close to my family (I have a little brother-30 years old but still little to me! and a little sister) so I think that it is so cool that you are doing this for your daughter. Nifty. I can’t wait to see where this goes. I do, I think its cool. Best of luck! Put me on a mailing list or something.

Its all true, and I guess interesting… its just me to me. Its 6 am here, time to make like I want to catch the train today.

Melissa. (Real Live Historian)

Have a good day!

Posted by Adam R. Box on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 at 4:46 am.