NPs Photo Bill had a career in high tech engineering and business and retired from Digital Equipment Corporation. Following his retirement, Bill dedicated his time to serving the community by volunteering at a local soup kitchen in Nashua, NH. Recognizing a critical need for housing, he played a role in converting an adjacent former grammar school into a shelter for vulnerable individuals and families in the Greater Nashua Region. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bill also generously contributed his time volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club. Currently, he volunteers at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum here in Lowell as well as St. Patrick’s Church in Nashua. Outside of his volunteer commitments, Bill enjoys playing Bridge and Chess, reading, and visiting National Park sites, particularly those with significance to the Civil War. We encourage you to visit the Boott Cotton Mills Museum on Saturdays and take the opportunity to meet Bill! 
NPS Photo Meet Visitor Service Volunteer, Ellen Meagher! Ellen studied History at UMass Boston and then went on to study law at Western New England College. She spent 10 years as a Public Defender and the rest of her career in Attorney Discipline – prosecuting lawyers who violated professional standards of conduct or ethics. Originally from Winchester, MA, Ellen now resides in Canton, MA. After retiring from her rewarding career as a lawyer, Ellen’s passion for service led her to embrace volunteer work, leading her to quickly find an opportunity at Lowell National Historical Park. You can find Ellen and her love for history staffing the Visitor Center desk on Thursday’s! 
NPS Photo Ray is a dedicated volunteer whose commitment to Lowell National Historical Park spans nearly eight years. A native of Lowell, MA, currently residing in Tyngsboro, MA, Ray brings a wealth of experience to our team. He has retired from his position as the Director of Corporate Real Estate for The Mitre Corporation, and following a connection with our Volunteer Program Manager Ray seamlessly became a part of our team. His love for engaging conversations and profound interest in the city's history make him an invaluable asset. Ray has divided his post-retirement life into distinct seasons. He devotes his winters to volunteering with LNHP, his summers to leisure in Biddeford, ME, where he and his wife own a residence, and his autumns to driving a tractor and transporting visitors through the apple orchards at Parlee Farms! Outside his volunteering commitments, Ray actively participates in the Lowell Irish group, and eagerly awaits the arrival of the Irish Cultural Week and St. Patrick's Day events. Additionally, he has dedicated time to crafting a family cookbook, not only showcasing cherished recipes but also encapsulating fond memories and stories shared with family. He has titled it, "It’s Not About the Food, Well Maybe a Little about the Food." Ray Leavitt can be found at the Mogan Cultural Center, staffing the Into an 1840s Boardinghouse exhibit and the recently inaugurated One City, Many Cultures exhibit. We express our sincere appreciation to Ray for his contributions to the LNHP team! 
NPS Photo Introducing Robert Gosselin! 
NPS Richard, originally from Leominster, MA, now resides in Lowell. Richard owns a photography studio at Mill No.5 which is a refurbished cotton mill in the heart of downtown Lowell. His love of the old mills and walking along the Canalways intrigued him to learn more about Lowell’s rich and diverse history. What better way to learn the history than by becoming a volunteer with Lowell National Historical Park. Richard’s degree in history gave him a bit of a head start with talking to visitors about the Industrial Revolution. His love of Lowell shows when his share’s his knowledge of the city with others. In his free time, Richard enjoys playing tennis, spending time with his family, and drinking iced coffee! Some of his favorite national parks include Yellowstone National Park, Acadia National Park, Minute Man National Historical Park, and Yosemite National Park! You can find Richard on the second floor of the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, answering questions and sharing his passion for history. Thank you, Richard, for being such a valuable member of the LNHP Volunteer Team! 
NPS This week, we are highlighting our volunteer Kathi Levine. She is originally from Holbrook, MA but has lived all over the country. Kathi spent her professional career working as a client manager in the employee benefit industry. Now retired, Kathi has returned to Lowell after more than 10 years away from volunteering in the park. Her experience in Lowell is valued by all.
Kathi loves to visit national parks, her favorites are Minuteman National Historical Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and her absolute favorite, Lowell National Historical Park. Kathi came to Lowell many years ago because she believes that hands-on museum experience is important. She loves to assist in enhancing the experience of the visitor, as well as helping families learn together. In her free time, Kathi is an avid kayaker, and loves travelling to various parks and landmarks for sightseeing.
You can find Kathi on the second floor of the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. Feel free to ask her questions if you see her! Thank you, Kathi, for being an important part of the Lowell NHP Team! 
NPS Tom loves to sing, and is a member of a barbershop quartet that performs at many local events. In his spare time he enjoys taking photographs and learning all the various techniques of photography. Tom came to volunteer at Lowell because of his love for communicating with others and sharing his knowledge with the community. You can find Tom volunteering in the Park’s Visitor Center helping visitors plan their visit to Lowell, answering questions about the park and city helping to provide visitors with a positive experience in the park and city. Lowell National Historical Park is thrilled to have Tom working with us! Thank you, Tom, for being a valuable member of the LNHP Volunteer Team. 
NPS Today, we want to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Marianne Gries. 
NPS Initially, Don was drawn to the weave room. However, thoughts of working with textiles were soon de-railed when Don learned of LNHP’s transportation system. Don’s passion for trains and all things rail related led him straight to the trolleys. He immediately signed on, launching a 20+ year VIP “career” on the car! Don spends one day a week with the crew assisting with school groups and the general public. Rain or shine the trolley crew can always depend on Don. Eager to lend a helping hand, his cheery smile welcomes each and every rider. Visitors benefit from Don’s wealth of knowledge about the history of the area. Don is an integral part of the trolley family and is fondly recognized as the in-house statistician, timekeeper, and dispatcher. Don has found his home on the trolleys! He is the perfect fit and is still going strong. Luckily for the trolley crew, Don threw the switch, by-passed weave room, and hopped on the rails. Thank you, Don Thomas, for all these years that you have helped this community. 
NPS John has been volunteering for Lowell National Historical Park for 15 years. He is a former 7th grade social studies teacher for the City of Lowell. One of the high points in his teaching career was spending a full day at the park learning about Lowell history. John's time visiting the park spurred him to find ways to spend more time here. Upon his retirement, John joined the Volunteers in Parks Program and now spends one day each week connecting visitors with Lowell’s history both past and present. In addition to serving as a VIP at the park, John volunteers for the Massachusetts History Day program, Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies, Retired Educators Association for Massachusetts, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Lowell Summer Music Series, and the Lowell Folk Festival. Thank you, John, for being such a valuable member of the LNHP Volunteer Team. 
NPS Today we are putting our Volunteer Spotlight on Ken Weber, a VIP for all seasons! Ken Weber has volunteered all over the park. When he initially came to Lowell, Ken staffed the Visitor Center front desk, the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, and the Mill Girls and Immigrants Exhibit. Ken also served as a First Mate on the canal boats. After assisting the captains and rangers with boat safety and operations, Ken went on land and became a Lock Tender. Together with members of the Maintenance team, Ken ensured that boats could pass through the historic lock chambers during demonstrations. These days, Ken volunteers with Cultural Resources where he has worked on various projects including digitzation of the Proprietors of Locks and Canals photo collection, over 4000 images taken between the 1870s and the 1940s. Ken has dedicated his time to serving the public here at Lowell and has done so with pride and joy. Please join us in thanking him for his many years--and varied positions--of service.
NPS Joe and the other volunteer first mates at Lowell National Historical Park help ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone who comes out on a boat tour! 
NPS Today, we want to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Ruthann Demers. Ruth was born and raised in Lowell, MA. She attended Lowell public schools and continued her education at UMass Lowell. In 2018, Ruth began volunteering with the park. This commitment to service was on top of her busy schedule as a quality assurance engineer. Ruth immediately fit in with the staff at Lowell National Historical Park. She eagerly shared her love for national parks along with her other interests, including books, hiking, and being in nature. Visitors loved interacting with Ruth and learning about her perspectives on Lowell. We are deeply saddened to hear of Ruth's passing. Ruth is greatly missed and Saturday mornings have not been the same without her. We continue to send our best wishes to her family and friends, and all those who knew her in the city. 
NPS What does it mean to be a VIP at the Lowell Folk Festival? Volunteers-in-Parks--or VIPs--play an invaluable role in supporting the Lowell Folk Festival. Today, we are putting our volunteer spotlight on some of the very special people who gave their time to keep the festival free. Volunteers assist with the bucket brigade, music logging, performance guiding, merchandise sales, recycling, the sales tent, setup, take down, and more. Altogether, volunteers give hundreds of hours to the Lowell Folk Festival. We appreciate every single one! 
NPS Today, we're taking out Volunteer Spotlight to the trolley program! Mike dela Vega has been volunteering with Lowell National Historical Park since 2015. Mike got his start at the park as a lock tender assisting canal boat programs. Now, Mike serves as a volunteer on the trolley cars. His inspiration came from his great-grandfather, who was a railroad conductor for the Canadian National Railway. Upon working on the trolley cars here, Mike explained to his family, the "railroad blood lives on." Mike enjoys giving back to his community and meeting new people while he serves at the park. If you are in town for the Lowell Folk Festival this weekend, there's a chance you might see him -- if you do, be sure to say hello! 
NPS Today we highlight Emily Hunter, a member of the Volunteers in Parks Program at Lowell National Historical Park. Since moving to Lowell, Emily has become a great member of our volunteer family. With one of the brightest smiles at the park, Emily has made our visitor center extra welcoming. When asked why she volunteers, Emily responded: “I have had a wonderful time here in the city, I enjoy all of the events, and...meeting and greeting people into the city and sharing my excitement and background with them while hearing where they’re from." Emily has become an invaluable member of the LNHP Volunteer team. We would like to thank Emily for her true dedication to serving her community. 
NPS Today, we are pleased to shine our volunteer spotlight on Richard Marion. Richard volunteers with Lowell National Historical Park at the Kirk Street Agents' House, our park headquarters. He is passionate about history, connecting with people in Lowell, and public education. In addition to assisting with administrative work for the park, Richard can often be found at park events and sharing his deep knowledge of local stories. Richard has also played a role in Lowell's history. Back in the 1960s, Richard opened Gallery 21, the first contemporary art gallery in Lowell. When asked why he volunteers, Richard replied: “I volunteer now because it is a way for me to meet interesting individuals, and exchange ideas..." When we asked Richard for a fun fact about himself, he shared two words: legacy and civic duty. He explained that he and many more pioneers in the art world have tried to do the right thing for everyone's benefit. 
NPS Today, we want to highlight the work of Miranda Demont, a student who comes to us from the Greater Lowell Technical High School. Miranda has been working at the park as an intern since February 2018. She will be part of our wonderful summer team until August 2019. Through the Trade Skills program, Miranda has been working as a painter. Miranda has made her city (and co-workers!) proud by repainting boats, trolleys, gatehouses, the stage at Boardinghouse Park, and more. When asked what her favorite part of the job is, Miranda responded: “I’ve learned so much and met so many new people. Lowell NPS is amazing!” 
NPS Today, we're taking our Volunteer Spotlight to the trolley program! Mike Krawczyk has been volunteering with Lowell National Historical Park for fifteen years. During that time, Mike has assisted visitors with disabilities, kept track of total visitors, and more recently, started flagging. Mike loves working with the trolley crew. In addition to his service to the park, Mike finds lots of ways to stay active. In his spare time, he enjoys jogging, skiing, and golfing. Thanks for keeping our trolley service "on track," Mike! 
NPS Today’s Volunteer Spotlight features Micheline Cignoli. Lowell National Historical Park would like to thank Micheline for being such a great member of our volunteer family and playing an important role in helping visitors enjoy Lowell. Micheline is long time citizen of the city of Lowell who has been a here at LNHP for a number of years. Micheline Volunteers at the Visitor Center front desk. She enjoys being able to help tourists and visitors understand Lowell’s rich history as they start their visit. When asked why she volunteers she responded by saying: “I enjoy all the wonderful people that I have worked with and helping people learn about all the history of Lowell”. 
NPS Lowell National Historical Park wants to thank Claire Toupin, one of our fantastic volunteers. Claire has been a member of the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks program since 2005. She grew up in Lowell and currently lives near the city. She volunteers in the IT department where she is always learning new things. "It's a fun work environment," Claire says. "I'm glad I can be of help." When she's not volunteering with the park, Claire spends some of her spare time playing pickle-ball and hiking. 
NPS Jeremy's passion for history drove him to pursue an internship during his last term of high school. While he is with us at the park, Jeremy conducts research on what life was like in Lowell one hundred years ago. This month, he's focused on the history of the influenza epidemic. Between 1918 and 1919, people in Lowell and at Fort Devens were particularly devastated by influenza, and especially the young. We look forward to learning all about Jeremy's findings and soon, you'll see the fruits of his labor, too! Jeremy's research will be used in upcoming social media posts and public programs. 
NPS Lowell National Historical Park is highlighting one of our fabulous volunteers, Martha Tubinis. Martha is here as an intern from the Tufts University Graduate Museum Studies Program. Martha has played a tremendous role in the early planning process of re-imagining the immigration exhibit at the Mogan Cultural Center. Martha believes diverse perspectives, input, and feedback are an integral part of the new exhibit development process. A woman with many interests, Martha enjoys skiing, tennis, and rock and fossil hunting in her spare time. All of us here at Lowell National Historical Park wants to say "thank you" to Martha for her incredible work! 
NPS Lowell National Historical Park has a great group of volunteers who serve the park and enable us to thrive. Today we want to highlight Ed Souza, a proud member of the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program. Ed Souza has been volunteering at Lowell NHP since 2015. In that time, he's staffed the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and the Mill Girls and Immigrants Exhibit. Ed also assists with First Mate duties on the canal boat tours during the summer. Ed is deeply passionate about the National Park Service. He particularly enjoys helping kids complete the Junior Ranger activities. He started volunteering at the park to learn more about Lowell's history and he enjoys assisting visitors as they gain a deeper understanding of Lowell's place in the Industrial Revolution in the museums. 
NPS Lowell National Historical Park is fortunate to have an incredible group of volunteers who help the park thrive. Today we want to highlight one of these special supporters, Lee Knust. Lee volunteers at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, introducing visitors to the park and sharing his knowledge and insights about the park and the city. Over the past eleven years of volunteer work at LNHP, Lee has met people from all over the world visiting the Spindle City. In a recent conversation Lee noted that working at the park gives him a special job and a unique connection to his community. Lee is also an active member of his church, and enjoys spending quality time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.Thank you, Lee, for your dedication to the National Park! 
NPS In his free time, Bob enjoys hiking, bicycling, and travelling. Some of his favorite national parks include Acadia National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Saint-Gaudens National Historical Site. You can find Bob at Lowell National Historical Park’s Visitor Center, answering questions and sharing his knowledge for the park’s exciting history and events! Thank you, Bob, for being a valuable member of our Volunteer Team! |
Last updated: June 25, 2024