Our Guides (as of 09.2022)

Adam Hodges-LeClaire (he/him)

Origin story; Smitten from childhood with New England’s Revolutionary history. Grew up 4 miles from where Paul Revere was captured. Played with wiffle ball bats as ersatz muskets in his family’s back yard. Wore his uniforms to school.

Character development; Studied History at University of St Andrews, worked at traditional shipyards in France and Scotland, and trained in tailoring for 11 years.

History experiments include;

-Sailed across the Atlantic in 2015 aboard a replica 300 foot French frigate wearing authentic 1780s sailors kit (even handsewn linen underbreeches!).

-Guided outdoor trips throughout 2016 using only 1750s Canadian equipment.

Highest praise(s): “You were born to do history!” - “Your face is very flexible!” - “It’s Paul Revere, King in the North!” -

Extracurriculars; Loves splitting firewood, his spaniel Atlas, and new dad jokes.

 

Photo credit Elizabeth Sulock, Newport Historical Society.

Emma Bresnan (she/her)

Origin story: Grew up in Washington DC. Extremely into American Girl Dolls, Liberty’s Kids, and Colonial Williamsburg as a child. Started volunteering at a living history farm at age 12 - spent teenage years chasing heritage breed chickens and growing tobacco the 18th-century way!

Character development: Studied History at the College of William & Mary and History Museum Studies at the Cooperstown Graduate Program; worked at 9 different museums & historic sites

Historical life experiments/’18th century claims to fame’ include:

-once used only 18th century hair-care methods for two weeks

-owns two pairs of 18th century-style high heels and zero modern ones

Extracurriculars: a) enjoys sewing experiments, b) cooking, c) learning about sustainable living, and d) fawning over her cat

 

Photo credit, Andrea Macioleck

Jonathan DeRosa (he/him)

The Beginning; Raised in New England, has always had history in his life… and now it’s becoming a way of life.

Context; Often makes some super niche online content, takes photographs, worked in Singapore in 2016 and hasn’t stayed warm since.

Extracurriculars; Raised and leads a company of British infantry on weekends.

Incidentals; Avid enjoyer of antiquated technology, also enjoys outdoor work with chainsaws and building epic backyard gardens with his family.

Mind the gap. [Ardent Anglophile!]

Sydney Marenburg (they/them)

Where it began; Started in public history at the age of 10 and hasn’t looked back since. With a ackground in educational development, has worked with the US National Archives, Colonial Williamsburg, and Mount Vernon. Aims in everything to make history fun and engaging for any audience!

How’s it going: Currently studying a dual degree in Economic Anthropology and History with a concentration in Labor Organization and and a sociology minor.

Currently researching; transatlantic soap production and consumption to bust the myths around colonial America’s ‘primitive’ or ‘rustic homespun’ economy!

Oddly specific skills include: Soap making using historical methods, clearing paths for ambulance while dressed in petticoats, and losing their phone in the multiple layers of the aforementioned petticoats.

 

Photo credit, Andrea Macioleck