Johnston Farm & Indian Agency Native American, Frontier, and Canal History

History Day Project - Ruolin Yang

Living History Project - Allison Gaier

Allison Gaier is 17 years old and the daughter of Dan & Deb Gaier of Piqua.

Allison is a senior at Lehman Catholic High School and is a member of the Miami County Trapshooters 4-H Club where she took the 4-H project Living History. In the Living History 4-H project a 4-H member selects a person in history that they want to learn about and portray. The character chosen to be portrayed should be close to your own age. There are also 3 important parts of the Living History Project:

• Persona (time period and life story)
• Historical Clothing and Accouterments
• Heritage Skills

In order to complete this 4-H project a 4-H Certified Living History Instructor has to help throughout the project and sign off when completed. Allison 4-H advisor Tim Knepshield from West Milton was her certified instructor.

Allison chose to portray Rachel Johnston, wife of Colonel John Johnston from Piqua.

Allison had to complete a Living History 4-H project book documenting her project.  She had to do research and learn heritage skills of the early 1800’s. Her mentor for this project was Marla Fair, an historical interpreter at the Ohio Historical Site, The Johnston Farm and Indian Agency.  Allison was able to volunteer at the site and work with Marla, who helped her develop her persona.  Her wealth of knowledge on the Johnston family was extremely helpful on this project.

Allison attended county judging for her 4-H project on July 7, 2010 and was selected to represent Miami County in Living History at the Ohio State Fair. On August 6, 2010 she went to the 4-H judging at the Ohio State Fair. Allison was required to bring a display of what she learned in the project, dress in period clothing of the person she was portraying, demonstrate a heritage skill, and give a 3 minute First Person talk. Allison was awarded at the Ohio State Fair an Outstanding of the Day Ribbon, given to the top 20% in the Living History Project Class.  She was awarded the top award in the state for this project, the 4-H Clock Trophy.

Allison has volunteered at the farm by giving tours to 4^th graders and helped during the Heritage Festival and an Irish Christmas on the Farm.