Board of Directors

Jennifer Frazee

Jennifer earned a BA in History and Masters in American Studies (specializing in Native studies and military culture). She serves as the Director of Fort Gibson Historic Site for the Oklahoma Historical Society. Jennifer has experience in living history, interpretation, research, program development, etc. She is also a professor of history at Connors State College, teaching Oklahoma History, U.S. History to 1865, and U.S. History Since 1865. 

History with ALHFAM: She has helped and learned from the organization since 2013. Jennifer was part of the conference committee that hosted the 2014 regional meeting and the 2016 annual meeting, and she’s been educated and enriched at every annual meeting she has attended.

ALHFAM’s most pressing issues and how they may be addressed: 

“I grew up understanding the concept of "medicine" as not only healing medically but also non-medically. ALHFAM does this with the preservation of skills and cultural practices. My medicine is the blessing and obligation of caring for history, including that of cultures and cultural practices nearly forgotten, erased, or maligned. The difficulty in interpreting some of this history is one of our most pressing issues. I believe we can address it by helping historians develop tools to interpret all history, including the hard bits, in ways that build and strengthen community. That’s powerful medicine. By teaching skills, crafts, trades, and the history of the cultures they come from, we not only engage public interest, we empower folks to take the care of their own history into their hands.”

Sarah Edwards

Sarah is the Interpretation Manager at Heritage Park Historical Village. Sarah first heard of ALHFAM in 2014 and listened to stories from coworkers who attended the conference hosted by Heritage Park in 2014, after which she immediately became a member. Sarah had the opportunity to attend her first conference at Genesee Country Village in 2017, and then to present at the 2019 conference at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Sarah is also a member of the PIE, FPI, and Historic Foodways PIGs.

ALHFAM’s most Pressing Issues and how they May be Addressed:

Although not the full ALHFAM experience that everyone loves, the 2020 and 2021 virtual conferences made it financially accessible for many people from an organization to participate in sessions and discussions, opening up the benefits of the conference to many more than usually attend. This was particularly true for frontline and seasonal interpreters, who were able to connect directly to each other and get the full benefit of conference panels and presentations. As travel becomes more expensive and budgets become tighter, it will become more difficult to maintain regular attendance at conferences for more than a few people from each site, and the resultant dissemination of best practices may become more irregular. Finding ways to foster and facilitate those connections across organizations and regions, particularly for new interpreters, and to increase virtual access to national and regional conferences will help lower the financial barrier and increase participation in ALHFAM to keep our organization strong.

Melissa Vickers

Melissa began at Old Sturbridge Village in 2016. There, she demonstrated early 1800s hearth cooking and taught culinary and domestic history of rural 19th century New England to visitors. Since 2018, she has been employed at Strawbery Banke Museum, where she successfully restructured and led the hearth cooking workshops, including training staff and planning menus. Melissa researched domestic and social content specific to the Puddle Dock area and has interpreted utilizing both 1st and 3rd person techniques.

Melissa joined ALHFAM in 2017. In 2020, she was elected New England Regional Representative, and co-chair of the Historic Foodways P.I.G. She served a two-year term in both positions, and in 2022 was re-elected as co-chair of the Foodways P.I.G. She has worked with its members on many projects, particularly through the Facebook page, to both engage and foster fellowship amongst current members and to also inspire non-members to be more involved in both Historic Foodways, and ALHFAM as a whole.

ALHFAM’s most pressing issues and how they may be addressed:

“As our senior historians begin to retire from their crafts, ALHFAM must document their skills and knowledge, and also facilitate the passing their knowledge to the next generation. In addition to the SKILLS Database, funding hands-on training classes, as well as virtual classes and lectures could aid in this.”

Cece Otto

For over 10 years I have performed as a “living historian of music” with An American Songline®, an ongoing project I created and operate. It combines my academic training in performance and music history with researching how music has reflected and influenced  American history. I create and perform programs dedicated to a particular historic event or movement and guide the audience with context for the songs as I sing them in period clothing. I’ve also consulted on sheet music or musical ephemera collections for several historic sites.

I was introduced to ALHFAM by Kay Demlow, who was helping me create reproduction clothing for a program. I gave my first presentation in 2018 at the Western regional conference and went on to present every year from 2020 to 2023, where I was able to perform a full-fledged concert. I currently serve as the Western Region representative.

ALHFAM’s most pressing issues and how they may be addressed:

Since the Covid pandemic, museums and historic sites have been losing staff due to budget cuts, retirement, or the increasing use of virtual spaces. And, as awareness grows about people left out of conventional narratives, it is urgent for museums to include the perspective of BIPOC and other marginalized groups. The challenge for AHLFAM is to maintain and grow its membership and help foster a growing community of living history professionals that reflects contemporary audiences’ concerns and preferences. While continuing in its strong legacy of preservation, ALHFAM needs to a) encompass more intangible skills like art, music, and domestic topics; b) increase efforts to recruit and serve independent contractors and consultants; c) recruit BIPOC talent; and d) consider providing resources for mental health support for members tasked with depicting sensitive topics. These efforts will increase membership, provide a renewed sense of purpose to the living history community, and position ALHFAM to better serve its members.

Sigurlaugur Ingolfson

I completed my bachelor’s degree in history with the University of Iceland in 2006. I then went on to graduate as an archaeologist, MA degree, in 2023, from the same university. After leaving university in 2006, I joined the Reykjavik City Museum as a full staff member. I had been a part-time employee with the organisation during my studies. In 2014 the museum amalgamated with other historical museums and sites in Reykjavik, to form a new city museum. I became the project manager for the Árbær museum sector of the City Museum. That sector is an open-air museum, originally founded in 1957, and it is Iceland´s biggest. Apart from my museum work I have also been a volunteer with my local sports club. I became chairman of the club in 2013 and remained in that role for three years. I have also been presented with a gold badge from the Icelandic Volleyball association for volunteer work.

I was fortunate to be nominated as an international fellow with ALHFAM in 2014. I have since attended several Annual Conferences, including the latest in Ohio in 2023.

ALHFAM’s most pressing issues and how they may be addressed:

As an international fellow I have a unique opportunity to view trends in both European and American museum developments. While there are many differences we also struggle with the same dilemmas, and, most importantly, issues with funding and how to remain relevant in an ever-changing world. I think the museums in Europe can learn a great deal from how North American museums have been tackling sensitive issues while museums in North America can also look towards Europe in terms of innovative ways of presenting history. An international fellow from Iceland can perhaps be seen as a bridge between the two continents.

Kimberly Wageman-Prack

I discovered my calling as a youth volunteer at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. Over a four-decade career, I’ve held a variety of positions including National Park Service ranger, lead educator for a private nonprofit, and independent foodways and clothing expert. Currently the Nash Farm Coordinator, I oversee development and implementation of educational programs and special events for three historic areas, and direct the part-time staff and volunteers. In addition to my professional responsibilities, I’ve served on planning committees for events—such as the 50th Anniversary celebration of Bent’s Old Fort NHS and the 2015 Fur Trade Symposium—and served multiple terms on the board of the Texas Living History Association.

My first experience with the ALHFAM was in Farmers Branch, Texas. Since 2012, I’ve participated in every national conference except one and attended numerous regional conferences. I also served as co-chair when Nash Farm hosted the 2019 Joint Mountain Plains/TLHA conference. I led several workshops at national and regional conferences, chaired the HAT PIG, and served as a regional rep for the Mountain-Plains Region. 

Pressing issues facing ALHFAM and how they may be addressed:

A significant challenge for ALHFAM involves attracting new members, including young professionals, seasoned interpreters, and institutions, while retaining the engagement of long-term members. The organization should continue to focus on historical skills and knowledge while broadening its range of expertise. This includes seeking and valuing input from previously marginalized communities, ensuring their contributions are integrated meaningfully.  Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge the frequently overlooked skills and events of the 20th century, which are distant and unfamiliar history to many, both members and those we serve.  To remain relevant ALHFAM must bridge the gap between traditional views of history and a broader scope that includes the recent past by addressing contemporary expectations while upholding our commitment to historical integrity and educational value.