Resume for Robert L. Vaughan

Robert L. Vaughan

389 Sunnyside Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 0S3, 613-730-1721

E-mail blacksmith@ncf.ca

QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated abilities in museum interpretation, programming and exhibit design.

Proven record in promotion, visitor development and volunteer training and management.

Skilled in heritage trades: blacksmithing, woodworking, agriculture.

Practiced in current museum techniques: registration, documentation, artifact handling.

Experienced in special events, promotion, management and logistics.

SKILLS

Museum Interpretation: Plan, develop and implement interpretive programmes for the general public, specialized groups and educational groups.

Volunteer Management: Recruit and orient volunteers, provide general and specialized training, maintain volunteer records and implement donor recognition programmes.

Promotion: Prepare media releases, public service announcements, editorial material. Prepare content, plan and layout of posters, flyers, brochures and similar advertising material, maintain media contacts, prepare for and participate in interviews, produce newsletters.

Project management: Prepare work plans and budgets, hire and train staff, manage paid staff and volunteers, prepare reports and evaluations and grant applications.

Blacksmithing : Manufacture of domestic hardware, machinery repair, tool-making, welding.

Woodworking: Rough framing, cabinetry(dovetails/mortise and tenon), wood bending, slack cooperage, exhibit and scenery construction.

Design: Prepare museum exhibits, staging, scenery and lighting.

Agriculture: Perform all tasks related to hay, grain, and maple syrup production using horse-drawn machinery. Care of horses, maintenance of horse-powered machinery, domestic garden work and animal husbandry.

Domestic Skills: Large scale bread baking, cooking on a woodstove, catering.

Electronics: Install and maintain public address and telephone systems.

Computers: Lotus, WordPerfect, MS Access, MS Money, Quattropro, E-mail, HTML

Heavy Machinery: Operate farm tractor , mower, rake, baler, hayloader, crawler tractor, front end loader, rear end loader, fork-lift, B-12 snowmobile.

Railway equipment: Operation of handcars and track cars.

Rigging: Erection of large tents, theatrical rigging, truck and aircraft loading.

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Robert L. Vaughan, 389 Sunnyside Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 0S3

WORK EXPERIENCE

Blacksmith, Ottawa, Ontario 2000 to present

Self-employed as a Blacksmith

Produce a variety of iron and wood articles for sale and display

Presented Blacksmithing Demonstrations at a variety of sites: Museums, Fairs, Festival

Sold ironwork in a variety of retail venues: at source, by commission and at craft fairs

Engaged as Editor of The Iron Trillium, newsletter for the Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association

Curator, Smiths Falls Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario 1996 to 1999

The Railway Museum interprets a significant collection of artifacts relating to Eastern Ontario railways.

Recruit, train and supervise staff and volunteers
Develop partnerships within the community
Design and install exhibits
Develop and implement annual public programmes
Develop school programme using the provincial education curriculum
Develop outreach programme utilizing an interactive handcar exhibit
Prepare and distribute promotional material
Document, register and catalogue artifacts
Liase with other museums and organizations
Maintain museum store stock
Prepare monthly reports and quarterly newsletter
Organized a military field exercise to construct railway track
Wrote a regular column for the local newspaper

Project Supervisor, Billings Estate Museum, City of Ottawa 1994 to 2000

The Billings Estate Museum tells the story of the Billings family, who settled in the Ottawa area.

Assist curatorial and programming staff as required
Manufacture of replica artifacts for programming purposes
Cultivate heritage lawns and gardens
Assist in the planning of repair and maintenance work
Perform routine inspections and minor maintenance on historic buildings

Farm Manager, Log Farm Trust Society 1991 to 1994

The Log Farm was a living history site, depicting daily life on a 19th century Ontario family farm.

Developed and implemented plans for interpretive programming and special events
Developed volunteer programmes, recruited, trained and organized volunteers
Trained and supervised staff in farm and museum operations
- Developed partnerships with community organizations: Scouts, 4-H clubs, high schools
Managed day to day farm activities on a year round basis
- Supervised outside contractors, film productions, guest exhibitors
- Staging Contractor, Self-employed 1977 to 1990
Planned, designed, executed and maintained mobile staging, scenery, sound, lighting and related systems
Stage managed performances
Liased with clients
Performed administrative tasks necessary for a small business

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Robert L. Vaughan, 389 Sunnyside Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 0S3

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Interpretive Blacksmithing Programme 1994 to Present

Conceived and developed a mobile interpretive museum programme, using blacksmithing as the basis of the programme which demonstrates not only blacksmithing but folklore, history and technology
- Marketed and promoted the programme to museums, schools and special events
- Managed over twenty showings in 1998
- Interpretive Woodworking Programme, Self-employed 1997 to Present
Conceived and developed a mobile interpretive museum programme, using woodworking as a basis for a demonstration which illustrates technology, tools and heritage
Designed to incorporate hand-on activities

Guest Lecturer, Algonquin College 1998, 1999

Prepared and presented lectures on Blacksmithing, Special Events Management and Railway Technology for the Algonquin College Applied Museum Studies Programme
Event Co-ordinator, Ontario Artist Blacksmiths Association July 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Created and organized the annual Blacksmith's Fair at the Billings Estate Museum
Obtained and installed forging stations
Managed logistics of the event, including accommodation and material for demonstrations
Set up gallery of fine ironwork

Demonstrator, ALHFAM June 1995

Presented a paper entitled Hands-on Blacksmithing to the Association of Living History Farms and Agricultural Museums. The paper was published in the proceedings of that year.

EDUCATION

. Certified Trainer, Interpretation Canada, Ottawa, 1996.

Certificate in Museum Studies, Ontario Museum Association, Toronto, 1994.

Bachelor of Arts, Carleton University, Ottawa, 1979.

Other courses and workshops

Intemediate Blacksmithing, John C. Campbell Folk School, 2000, 2003, 2005

Fundraising Management, Algonquin College, 1999

Historic House Inspection, Ontario Museum Association, Kitchener-Waterloo, 1999.

St. John's Ambulance Basic First Aid (Renewal), Ottawa, 1998.

Care of Paintings and Artworks on Paper, Canadian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, 1997.

Corporate Health and Safety for Supervisors, City of Ottawa, 1997.

Care of Machinery Collections, Ontario Museum Association, Hamilton, 1992.

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