Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Hyde.
Barbara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
No joke – in fourth grade I read “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E.L. Konigsburg and I was hooked. I knew I wanted to live in a museum and be a curator. I studied art history and interior design at Syracuse University and then promptly got married right out of college. It wasn’t until 17 years later that I decided to volunteer at The Ringling in Sarasota, FL when my daughter went into pre-school. I was searching for me again, and I knew I wanted to return to what made my heart sing. I started out as a docent giving tours; went back to university for a master’s certificate in Museum Studies, and realized museum education was the perfect fit. It just so happened that a position in the education department opened up and I spent the next eight years as the Adult Education Coordinator.
I trained a corps of 150 docents to give tours in all the venues: Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringling’s winter residence, the Circus Museum, and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. I was involved with didactics for exhibitions, organizing international symposiums and adult programming–it was an incredible opportunity that afforded me experience in almost all aspects of museum work. Then in 2014 my husband and I decided to move to Atlanta. After settling in for a year, I thought, “Okay! Now, what am I going to do?” So I decided to follow my old successful model of volunteering for an organization that dealt with community history – The Atlanta History Center.
I was working at the Archives front desk every Wednesday and it just happened that a man came in to do research every Wednesday morning. We struck up a conversation and he said he was looking for a curator for a historic house museum he was restoring just down the street on West Paces Ferry Road. I wasn’t particularly looking for a full-time job, but my daughter wanted a horse, which meant I needed a job! I sent my resume to the Watson-Brown Foundation and the rest is history! I’ve been here almost four years now and have loved every minute of it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always struggles! The reality is that in the museum field, curatorial positions are scarce. And once you find one, you quickly realize most non-profits are understaffed and financially strapped for money. It’s a constant challenge to find financial support to accomplish the mission. You end up wearing a lot of hats, not just the one you signed up for!
I also think everyone has challenges on a personal level. I still walk into a room of my colleagues and think, “What am I doing here with all these incredible people!?” In some ways, it probably makes me work a little harder–my insecurities about choosing to stay home to raise my children instead of pursuing a career are always in the back of my mind. I wouldn’t change my journey, but the reality is I’m not as far along in a career as most of my colleagues are. But I’m also at a point in my life where I’m okay with that! I genuinely love what I do and can’t wait to get to work every morning!
Please tell us about The May Patterson Goodrum House.
The May Patterson Goodrum House is a historic house museum owned by the Watson-Brown Foundation. Built in 1930, the home was designed by Philip Trammell Shutze, one of the few architectural Classicists of his time, and was the only project for which he was recognized by the Architectural League of New York. Both the home and grounds are being restored to the 1930-1936 time period. We’re somewhat of a conservation laboratory at the moment! We’re adding to the collection of decorative arts, so there’s always something new to see.
Programming is focused on supporting historic preservation education for both academic and professional pursuits. The house is open to the public by appointment for tours.
I’d have to say I’m most proud of the work the Watson-Brown Foundation does in the community. The main focus of the foundation is to provide need and merit-based scholarships to Georgia and South Carolina students attending a four-year accredited college. In addition to this work, we also provide grant money to a number of historic preservation projects throughout the South. The Foundation also owns and supports two other historic properties, Hickory Hill in Thomson, Georgia and the T.R.R. Cobb House in Athens, Georgia.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t believe in having regrets, so this is a tough question! I think three pieces of advice I’d give my younger self:
1. Know yourself! Spend time getting to know what makes your heart sing on a deeply personal level. Being creative, creating environments are two things that make me tick. I also love teaching. From there, it’s a matter of finding the mechanism through which you accomplish that. For me, being a curator marries those two pursuits perfectly and combined with my love of history, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
2. Feel the fear and do it anyway! So often we allow our insecurities to hold us back. Whether it’s a fear of being told no, or that we’re inadequate in some way. The moment I feel uncomfortable or fearful of something that I know is irrational, I pursue it. Those are the moments that have given me the greatest insight into who I am and what I’m capable of!
3. Network! Find a mentor early on–someone you meet and think, “That’s what I want to do!” Take advantage of any opportunity you have to meet people in the field you’re pursuing. I’m an introvert by nature and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to duck out of some event at the last minute to curl up with my dog and read a book! But the moments I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone are the times I’ve met someone who profoundly changed my life. And if I hadn’t been standing in that room at that moment, I’d have missed out on something wonderful.
Contact Info:
- Address: 320 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30305 - Website: www.goodrumhouse.org
- Phone: 404-812-0031
- Email: bhyde@goodrumhouse.org
- Instagram: goodrumhouse
- Facebook: May Patterson Goodrum House
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