PEOPLE - 64 JUNIOR RACHEl HUDGENS works on aspring-pole lathe, a woodworking instrument, during her internship at MountVernon in summer 2004. Hudgens, ahistorymajor, learned several skills while in MountVernon, including woodworking. 'COURTESY OF R. HUDGENS e alarm sounds at 8 a.m. and junior Rachel Hudgens rolls out of bed. She prepares for her day by dressing as normal; first putting on her long white shift followed by a petticoat and jacket. She tucks her hair up under a handkerchief and grabs her straw hat as she walks out the door. Her tasks today in the field involve cutting and harvesting oats, sowing seeds, hoein& weeding and tending to the livestock. She is anxious to begin her day at the home of the Washingtons. While most students spent their summers working or taking classes, Hudgens donned 18th-century garb and experienced the reality of life when America was young. Ahistory major, Hudgens obtained an internship at Mount Vernon, home of one of the most noted forefathers and first president of the United States, George Washington. Hudgens served as a costumed interpreter and gave tours and demonstrations daily. Junior leaps back in time for internship "I became a part of the Mount Vernon family:' RACHEL HUDGENS, JUNIOR A city girl from College Station, Texas, Hudgens moved across the country to Virginia to live the colo~ nial life for three months. Hudgens and five other interns were required to wear costumes every day, and the dally chores were divided up between the six students. They worked in the hands--on history tent where children could help build buckets and spin wool; they greeted guests at the fires; they took guests on a tour of the farm and explained its purpose; they labored in the field and they worked in the 16sided interpreting bam where workers demonstrated treading, the separation of grain from the stalk. Hudgens also learned everything from thinning carrots to processing flax, spinning the wool to harrowing a field during these months. "] enjoyed it all, but my favorite skill was wood working," Hudgens said. Her most memorable moment of the summer was not of the farm but rather when she waited in Washington, D.C., from 11 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. one night for a 3D-second viewing of the body of former President Ronald Reagan. Although the casket was closed, Hudgens said the time spent waiting was worthwhile. With so many memories etched in her mind, Hudgens said the internship affirmed her chosen major. Hudgens realized that there were many jobs available for people who were passionate about history. Not only did she see the need for these jobs, but she learned how to share and get her students involved. " Alot of historic figures are idolized," Hudgens said. "Mount Vernon shows the reality of Washington. ] learned so much about agriculture and public history; and ] saw all sides. ] became a part of the Mount Vernon family." - JENN BONZAGNI
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