August 24, 2008|By Cassandra A. Fortin | Cassandra A. Fortin,Special to The Baltimore Sun
During the event, children learn about cleaning house, she said. The kids learn how to grind coffee beans, vacuum using an old Kirby vacuum cleaner, string green beans, and wash dishes. She brings aprons for the children to wear, she said. Other props include wooden ironing boards with irons from the 1950s which they use to iron clothes, and feather dusters.
Wooden's ability to entertain makes people of all ages like to listen to her, Williams said.
"We have this saying in the historic re-enactment business that if in entertaining people you happen to educate them, then you have done your job," Williams said.
Wooden also has a one-woman storytelling performance that she does in first person. She portrays Matilda O'Neill, the daughter of John O'Neill of Havre de Grace, who became the lighthouse keeper. Taking more than two years to fully develop, the performance is set in 1827, with Matilda telling the story of her experience during the burning of Havre de Grace in 1813.
The culmination of her seven years of living history interpretations came in 2007 when she was selected from dozens of applicants to assist a woman who was managing a beehive oven at the Under the Redcoat event at Colonial Williamsburg.
She helped make carrot pudding, bread and pies. She returned for a second time this year to help with the event that takes place at the end of June.
"This year we had a large hand-carved wooden bowl from the 18th century to mix the dough in," she said. "That was wonderful. I hope to participate in the event every year."
It isn't the glory of the location or her title at the events that keep her passion strong, it's the connection she makes with the audience.
"I love it when people ask me questions, and I see that I have caught their imagination," she said. "I love knowing I helped someone connect with history."
