Striking a Chord

Jane Hedeen — Fri, 21 May 2010 11:08:59 -0400

: A few of the fabulous interpreters from our 1914 experience. From left, Cheryl Fesmire, Craig Reasoner and Kim McCann.

Last Friday, a group of senior citizens visited us from a retirement home. This is not unusual – we get many groups from retirement centers – but I saw something extraordinary happen with this group as they visited the You Are There 1914: The Violin Maker Upstairs experience. I happened to walk past as the group of about 10 senior citizens and the interpreters broke out into song. They were singing a song called When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose. I wasn't familiar with the song, but I'm glad that the interpreters and visitors were.

The song, with lyrics by Jack Mahoney and Music by Perry Wenrich, was published in 1914. You may know it from the 1942 musical For Me and My Gal, when it was sung by Judy Garland and Gene Kelley. A couple of weeks ago, the interpreters in the 1914 space decided that they would learn songs from the early 20th century so that they could sing for and with visitors in order to add another level to their interpretation. In this case, after finding out that Mr. Conrath, the violin maker (interpreted by Craig Reasoner), was also a singer, one of the visitors from the retirement home asked if Mr. Conrath would sing her a song. He replied that he would be happy to if she would sing along. Apparently, others in the group joined in as well, and I happened along just as the melody filled the air.

I am grateful to Craig, Cheryl, Carol, Katie, Kim, Hal and Bob, the 1914 interpreters, for the initiative they took in learning this and other songs. I think the music reached this particular group in a way that even conversing with the interpreters could not. According to Sara Kirkweg, a researcher with the Department of Psychology at Missouri Western State University, "Research has shown memory to be affected by many different factors. One of these factors is music, which has been found to stimulate parts of the brain. Many studies have demonstrated that music enhances the memory of Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Music has also been found to reduce stress, aid relaxation and alleviate depression." I don't know any of the particulars of the health of members of this group, but I do know that it appeared as if the music had "struck a chord" both literally and figuratively. Not only were their minds engaged, but so were their memories. My hope is that if there was anyone in the group experiencing dementia, singing that song grounded them in a time and place in their memory and provided a liberating moment. If that kind of thing can happen here, and I think it can, than I am proud to be a part of it.

When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose
Lyrics by Jack Manoney and Music by Perry Wenrich

I met you in a garden in an old Kentucky town,
The sun was shining down, you wore a gingham gown.
I kissed you as I placed a yellow tulip in your hair,
Upon my coat you pinned a rose so rare.
Time has not changed your loveliness, you're just as sweet to me,
I love you yet I can't forget the days that used to be;

When you wore a tulip, a sweet yellow tulip,
And I wore a big red rose,
When you caressed me, 'twas then heaven blessed me,
What a blessing no one knows.
You made life cheery when you called me "dearie,"
'twas down where the bluegrass grows,
Your lips were sweeter than julep, when you wore that tulip,
And I wore a big red rose.

The love you vowed to cherish has not faltered thro' the years
You banish all my fears, your voice like music cheers,
You are the same sweet girl I knew in happy days of old,
Your hair is silver, but your heart is gold.
Red roses blush no longer in your cheeks so sweet and fair,
It seems to me, dear, I can see white roses blooming there.

Listen to a 1915 recording of the song by singer Walter VanBrunt here.

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Jane Hedeen is coordinator of student and educator programs at IHS. She loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and her quirky cat Violet, and covets an uninterrupted night of sleep.

Field Trip Wake-Up Call

Jane Hedeen — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:10:00 -0400

As the mother of a three month-old, I find that I usually arrive to work a little bleary-eyed. The good news is that after over a year’s hiatus, school and group tours are in full swing again here at the History Center. Nothing will wake you up like a group of 60 fourth-graders filing through the door, all atwitter about what they will see and do on their field trip.

Lucky for me, the Indiana Experience is ready to meet that excited anticipation head-on. I’m proud of the level of hands-on activity our exhibits team has packed into experiences such as the You Are There spaces, Destination Indiana, and the History Lab. When kids can take a seat in a Model T in the You Are There 1924: Tool Guys and Tin Lizzies experience, try their hand at playing a violin in the You Are There 1914: The Violin Maker Upstairs experience, or become a conservator by doing a paper mending activity in the History Lab, the lessons of history are disguised as fun.

One of my favorite parts of my job is hearing students express excitement about history following a visit to the History Center. Recently, as I was leading a group to gather their things so that they could depart on their bus, a young boy complained, “But I don’t want to leave!” I’m sure the excitement faded away as the day progressed, but I hope that the idea that the past is fascinating, and yes, sometimes fun, continues to grow in that young mind.

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Jane Hedeen is coordinator of student and educator programs at IHS. She loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and her quirky cat Violet, and covets an uninterrupted night of sleep.

Authors

Striking a Chord

Field Trip Wake-Up Call