A Different History Teacher

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Editorial assistant Brenda Duncan interviewed Will Kuhl, of Chittenango, a member of the Oneida Indian Nation. He is a project specialist for the Nation and was chosen to pose for a permanent exhibit at the Saratoga National Battlefield's Visitors Center. Name: Will Kuhl

Age: 23

Where do you live? Chittenango. I've lived here for two years. Before that, I lived in Oneida.

Do you have a family? I have my wife, my mom and a couple sisters.

Educational background: I went to college for welding and went to school for automotive tech and graduated from both.

Occupation: I'm a project specialist with the Oneida Indian Nation, the first allies living history department.

What does a project specialist do? I talk to people about what our department does, what their role is within the nation. We're living historians. We travel around to different places and give a history on the Oneidas. What roles they had in different wars, how they were the first allies of the United States, and with our help, the French became the second allies, which helped us win the Revolutionary War.

What do you like best about your job? Getting to talk to everybody.

What is the most challenging aspect? Trying to get outside of your comfort zone and talk to these people. Like when I'm telling stories with different voices or talking to kids trying to entertain them, it's just trying to get out of your comfort zone and meet the needs of the people you are talking to.

Where have you traveled for the job? Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, all over New York - not too far from Central New York. We travel usually every two to three months, if not a month apart, especially during the summer, because that's when it's most busy. It's the season for re-enactments.

How many people travel with you? Between five and 27; it depends on which volunteers are needed at the time. I'm a salaried employee.

What exhibit are you the model for? It's like a three-quarter-size cutout of me with a possibles bag. It's kind of a little bag that you would carry stuff with you that you need every day. It's at Saratoga National Park and people can have a hands-on experience with some of the accoutrements that the natives would have carried with them and give them a little background on the history of the Oneidas also.

How do you feel being the model for the exhibit? I was excited. It was pretty cool that I'd be there for quite a few years after my picture was taken to show people what it was like, to see me dressed up and what it would look like to see an 18th century Indian.

The person who has most inspired you is: my mom, I started doing this when I was 15 or 16. It was her job and then when she went away to college about a year and a half ago, I took over her job. It was something that was a lot of fun and I like doing it.

The greatest obstacle you've overcome: Public speaking.

What you like best about your community: The people. It's a very safe community and whenever I have kids, I think the schools are ranked 10th out of 400 schools across America, so that's another thing that I like about it.

If you could change one thing about your community, what would it be? The taxes.

If you could witness one event in history, it would be: the 21-day seize, Aug. 6, 1777, at Fort Stanwix.

When you were a child, what did you dream about becoming? Actually, a mechanic. I went to school for it. I usually have friends quite often ask me to help them with their cars.

What can always be found in your pockets? A set of keys.

One thing you definitely want to do in your lifetime: Own a '69 Ford Mustang Boss 302.

The most annoying thing other drivers do is: They don't signal.

Your worst driving habit is: Speed.

One thing about you that would surprise people: The useless facts that I know. I can do that "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" pretty well. I know a little bit about everything and not everything about nothing, so it works out pretty good.

Do you have a proudest moment? When I finally saw the display down at Saratoga. It was a proud feeling knowing that I was going to be able to show people what it was like over 200 years ago to see a native dressed up like that.





A Different History Teacher Thursday, July 3, 2008 Editorial assistant Brenda Duncan interviewed Will Kuhl, of Chittenango, a member of the Oneida Indian Nation. He is a project specialist for the Nation and was chosen to pose for a permanent exhibit at the Saratoga National Battlefield's Visitors Center. Name: Will Kuhl Age: 23 Where do you live? Chittenango. I've lived here for two years. Before that, I lived in Oneida. Do you have a family? I have my wife, my mom and a couple sisters. Educational background: I went to college for welding and went to school for automotive tech and graduated from both. Occupation: I'm a project specialist with the Oneida Indian Nation, the first allies living history department. What does a project specialist do? I talk to people about what our department does, what their role is within the nation. We're living historians. We travel around to different places and give a history on the Oneidas. What roles they had in different wars, how they were the first allies of the United States, and with our help, the French became the second allies, which helped us win the Revolutionary War. What do you like best about your job? Getting to talk to everybody. What is the most challenging aspect? Trying to get outside of your comfort zone and talk to these people. Like when I'm telling stories with different voices or talking to kids trying to entertain them, it's just trying to get out of your comfort zone and meet the needs of the people you are talking to. Where have you traveled for the job? Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, all over New York - not too far from Central New York. We travel usually every two to three months, if not a month apart, especially during the summer, because that's when it's most busy. It's the season for re-enactments. How many people travel with you? Between five and 27; it depends on which volunteers are needed at the time. I'm a salaried employee. What exhibit are you the model for? It's like a three-quarter-size cutout of me with a possibles bag. It's kind of a little bag that you would carry stuff with you that you need every day. It's at Saratoga National Park and people can have a hands-on experience with some of the accoutrements that the natives would have carried with them and give them a little background on the history of the Oneidas also. How do you feel being the model for the exhibit? I was excited. It was pretty cool that I'd be there for quite a few years after my picture was taken to show people what it was like, to see me dressed up and what it would look like to see an 18th century Indian. The person who has most inspired you is: my mom, I started doing this when I was 15 or 16. It was her job and then when she went away to college about a year and a half ago, I took over her job. It was something that was a lot of fun and I like doing it. The greatest obstacle you've overcome: Public speaking. What you like best about your community: The people. It's a very safe community and whenever I have kids, I think the schools are ranked 10th out of 400 schools across America, so that's another thing that I like about it. If you could change one thing about your community, what would it be? The taxes. If you could witness one event in history, it would be: the 21-day seize, Aug. 6, 1777, at Fort Stanwix. When you were a child, what did you dream about becoming? Actually, a mechanic. I went to school for it. I usually have friends quite often ask me to help them with their cars. What can always be found in your pockets? A set of keys. One thing you definitely want to do in your lifetime: Own a '69 Ford Mustang Boss 302. The most annoying thing other drivers do is: They don't signal. Your worst driving habit is: Speed. One thing about you that would surprise people: The useless facts that I know. I can do that "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" pretty well. I know a little bit about everything and not everything about nothing, so it works out pretty good. Do you have a proudest moment? When I finally saw the display down at Saratoga. It was a proud feeling knowing that I was going to be able to show people what it was like over 200 years ago to see a native dressed up like that. Copyright 2008 syracuse.com. All Rights Reserved.