A University of Wisconsin-Stout class introduced senior Olivia Viktora to the Dunn County Historical Society.
Now Viktora, who expects to graduate in May with her bachelor’s degree in professional communications and emerging media, is working full time as the marketing coordinator for the historical society, which includes the Rassbach Heritage Museum and the Holtby Museum.
For the PCEM Convergent Media class, Viktora had to take an object from the museum, research it and prepare a report for the class. She chose a late 1800s toy sewing machine, which she learned was a sales sample rather than a toy.
“I was drawn to the object,” she said. “I thought it was cute, and it had a lot of detail. It was made from tin and had a floral design on it. It was very appealing to the eye.”
Viktora, 22, who started at the historical society Jan. 30, will work to redesign the organization’s website incorporating more visual elements, update the social media platforms to include Instagram and overall rebrand the historical society.
“They want to bring it into that modern age and give it a fresher look,” said Viktora, a Milwaukee native.
History appeals to Viktora because it shows the greater value of ordinary objects. For example, a knife 100 years ago could have been vital for someone’s livelihood, part of a culture or an artifact for a religious ceremony, she noted.
She also enjoys history and museums because they are the closest thing we have to time travel.
“They provide a connection to a time and place that we otherwise would never be able to fully experience,” Viktora said. “The preservation of history is essential in understanding both the past and present.”
Working at the historical society also allowed her to finish her education while gaining more experience and applying skills she learned at UW-Stout, Viktora said.
Historical society director Frank Smoot believes it’s important for the organization to have a variety of ages involved. “Olivia came here with a great deal of experience,” Smoot said, noting the goal is to make the museums more appealing to the next generation.
“She has a great handle on web design and emerging media,” Smoot said.
One plan for the historical society is to make online exhibits, allowing more people access and exposure to the artifacts, Smoot said. The goal is to get more people interested in history.
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Photos
UW-Stout senior Olivia Viktora stands next to the UW-Stout 2011 National Collegiate Rube Goldberg Machine Contest winner on display at Rassbach Heritage Museum in Menomonie. Viktora is the new marketing coordinator at the Dunn County Historical Society. A Rube Goldberg machine strives for as many complicated steps as possible to perform a simple task, such as watering a plant, which was the goal of the 2011 contest. UW-Stout photos/Pam Powers
Olivia Viktora looks at a thermoforming press, which pressed plastic sheets, invented by late UW-Stout Chancellor Bob Swanson.
