P R O F I L E
Living
(and Loving)
History
Tamurlaine Melby
achel Stanton didn’t always like history. Growing up, it was her least into the past as well, allowing them to experience it right along with her. “The
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favorite subject in school. While other material clicked, history remained questions they ask are completely different than they would be if I were standing
a distant compilation of facts about other people—people who didn’t in modern clothes talking about the time period,” she says. When asked what
have anything to do with her. It was Rachel’s time outside of the classroom she likes best about her work she replies, “It makes people who had no interest in
that made the difference. history suddenly want to learn more about it.”
On vacations, Rachel’s family would visit museums and historical sites. In And how should one go about learning more? Rachel’s answer is easy:
these places she first encountered living history, a form of performance in which research your ancestors. When she first started doing living history, she became
people dress, act and speak as though they were living in another time period. interested in genealogy as well, and has used genealogical research extensively
Suddenly, Rachel could walk in the places and buildings where history had in her work. She explains that knowing your family’s history gives you an anchor in
been made; she could smell the food, hear the music, and see the people and the past; when you can connect the name of someone you descended from with
clothing. The past was no longer distant—it was all around her. This was the start a historical event, that history becomes a part of your life. “It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh,
of her love for history, and a glimpse into her own future as a living historian. a part of me was there!’ Everyone should learn their genealogy. Your ancestors
Rachel went on to attend Virginia Tech, where she studied architecture deserve it.” V
and clothing textiles and interior design. To this day she attributes much of her
fascination with history to the elegant buildings and clothing of eras gone by.
For a time, Rachel worked in retail, and then in the utility consulting field, and
indulged in history on the weekends by volunteering at museums. As she says,
“If you can’t live in the time period you know you should have, at least you can
volunteer in it.”
Tamurlaine Melby is an intern with V Magazine for
At first she gave tours at Richmond’s Maymont mansion, and eventually got
Women. She wishes she could bring a chicken to work!
involved in Maymont’s living history program, donning Victorian attire to portray
personas from the 1890s. Over time, her work in living history expanded, and
when she had the opportunity to switch careers she decided to take the plunge
and see if she could make a living as a full-time historical interpreter.
Now Rachel’s been in the field for 25 years. She works full time for Colonial
The Yoga
Williamsburg and runs her own business, through which she contracts out to other
living history organizations, museums, parks, schools, libraries, films and tour
companies. She has in her possession several dozen original and reproduction
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period costumes, and portrays individuals from the early 17th century through
the 1930s, both historical figures and identities she’s created drawing from her
research into family names, events and conditions of the past. Her work is as
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varied as her wardrobe, taking her from gritty Civil War reenactments to Hallmark
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movies, from elaborate company dinners to bus tours.
Yoga Art * Straps * Blocks * Prayer Flags * Music * Neti Pots & Supplies
Though she works five to seven days a week, when she’s home Rachel lives
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on a farm near Bottoms Bridge, VA. She often incorporates her farm animals into
MEDITATION:Meditation Benches * Zafus * Zabutons * Shawls * Handmade Malas
her performances and has even brought a live chicken into the Jefferson Hotel.
RELAXATION: Eye Pillows * Neck Rolls * Music * Fountains * Guided Cds
(When they’re on the road, the bird rides shotgun). She’s found that animals help
Candles * Incense * Full line of Yogi Teas * Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls
her engage both children and adults in her presentations, which is her goal. By
becoming a person from another time period, Rachel can draw her audience
www.InlightYoga.com * info@InlightYoga.com * 598-0700

MARCH 2010
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Vmagazine for women
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myVmagazine.com