EXPERT MODELING: THE IMPACT

FRIENDS OF ARROW ROCK: BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS
BLACK WORLD HISTORY MUSEUM: LASTING INVOLVEMENT

 

 

FRIENDS OF ARROW ROCK: BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS
The Friends of Arrow Rock, because of its wide range of programming, enlisted a variety of experts to address its needs. Tom Hall and Sue Stubbs, two Friends of Arrow Rock historians, for example, presented the lecture on "The Life and Times of John and Nannie Sites." Gary Kremer, an expert on Missouri and African-American history, was also a charette participant and lecturer of crucial importance; he presented "Post Civil War Missouri." It was, however, Wallace Gusler, an expert on gunsmithing from Colonial Williamsburg, who proved invaluable to the project and to the Friends of Arrow Rock itself.

Brought in to present the lecture "From Virginia to Missouri: A Heritage of Gunsmithing," Mr. Gusler was able both to draw widespread recognition and offer knowledge and expertise to the FAR. First, as a figure of national prominence in his field, he was, as Ms. Borgman stated, a "natural draw in [the area]." Not only would he attract visitors familiar with gunsmithing, but his association with the Williamsburg name would lend him added appeal. The publication of an article featuring Mr. Gusler in the Smithsonian magazine also came at a fortuitous time and further spotlighted his importance and expertise in the field. The Friends of Arrow Rock staff knew that a large audience would attend the festival if Mr. Gusler presented, and they were not disappointed.

Secondly and more importantly, in the more informal talks they were able to have with Mr. Gusler, the Friends of Arrow Rock staff learned much about their own resources-specifically, the Sites gun shop. Pam Parsons explained: "[He] brought knowledge to us, too... We learned a lot from him about the preservation; he gave us advice on things and he was very open to our questions." For instance, Mr. Gusler pointed out to the Friends of Arrow Rock that the Sites gun shop, as the only restored gun shop in the United States still in its original building on its original location, was a unique and valuable historical artifact. He encouraged the Friends to keep its collection in the shop instead of moving it off-site, and he offered them advice on climatization and preservation techniques. Because of the knowledge which Mr. Gusler shared with them, Friends of Arrow Rock staff count him as instrumental in the preservation of the Sites house and gun shop.