Posts Tagged ‘interpreter’

We know that visitors often wonder about the blue blazer-ed interpreters here who can describe in detail every piece of furniture in Mount Vernon and know exactly what George Washington was doing on April 7, 1798. Today, we want to introduce you to Diana Dinsick, who has been a Mount Vernon interpreter for over ten years:

GWW: If you could be any 18th century historical figure, who would it be?

DD: I suppose I would choose Mrs. Samuel (Eliza) Powell, wife of the mayor of Philadelphia during Washington’s years there as President. Few women of Eliza’s time were worldly and wise enough to win the friendship and respect of men such as George Washington, yet, by all accounts, he actually solicited her opinion on matters of political importance.

GWW: If George Washington had a middle name, what do you think it should be and why?

DD: Well, why not pay tribute to Washington’s royal ancestors? Let’s see… King John of England was his great(x16)-grandfather. “George John Washington,” perhaps?

GWW: What is the funniest thing that ever happened when you were interpreting?

DD: One afternoon I was speaking to a group of third graders at Washington’s tomb. I pointed out Washington’s Commander in Chief’s flag and asked the group why they thought there were 13 white stars on the blue background. One little boy explained to me that, “people back then didn’t know that there were 50 states.” I am also a bit taken aback when visitors insist that the mansion used to face in the opposite direction.

GWW: What is your favorite place at Mount Vernon?

DD: I love the private wing of the Washington’s home. Sometimes, when I am alone there, I can almost feel their presence and I realize what an honor it is to work where I do.

GWW: What are some fun tidbits about you?

DD: I am from Tyrone, PA, although through marrying a military man, I have left small town America behind. My three children are grown now, and I am inordinately proud of them. I still love traveling in Europe with them to revisit places we once lived. Last year, a fellow interpreter interested me in joining the Daughters of the American Revolution, and now I can claim genealogy as one of my hobbies. Finding one Revolutionary War ancestor leads to another, and another!