Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaime Williams.
Hi Jaime , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I never started out with the idea that I would become a manager of historical/tourist site with the goal of preserving and teaching the history of our earliest inhabitants of this land. I began my career at Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum in 2011 as a work-study student, serving as both a tour guide and a gift shop associate. That year at 33, I had returned to school to pursue an associate degree through Wytheville Community College. Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum was one of the off-campus work-study sites available to students in Bland County. The following year, an Office Clerk position became available at the museum. I applied and was selected for the role, intending to continue working there while completing my bachelor’s degree in human services online through Old Dominion University. My goal was to finish my degree, become a counselor, and move on from the museum. What happened during my time working at the village is I fell in love with the place. In 2016, as I was completing my bachelor’s degree, I was promoted to General Manager of Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum thinking it would be a temporary job until I found something in my field of study, but I am still here. I think what makes this place special is how it gets in your blood and you become very passionate about the work we do here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has presented significant personal challenges. As I worked to advance my career, I simultaneously maintained full-time employment, pursued my education as a full-time student, and was married and being the main caregiver of our four children. Like many women, I often found it difficult to devote equal time and attention to both my professional responsibilities and my family. Adding the demands of a full-time college program made that balance even more complex. At times, I felt stretched thin as I worked to meet the responsibilities of my career, continue progressing within my field, complete my education, and remain fully present for my family. Those challenges though strengthened my resolve, and I think has made me better at my job in the long run. Overcoming those challenges makes everything else I encounter now seem small in the grand scheme of things.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum is a local historical attraction centered on the site of a Native American village dating back more than 500 years. The site was uncovered in 1970 during the construction of Interstate 77 in Bland County, Virginia. That same year, state archaeologist Howard MacCord led an archaeological excavation and prepared a report documenting the findings and historical significance of the site. In 1996, the property of the archeology site was developed into a reconstructed village, museum, and gift shop. Guided by MacCord’s archaeological report, the village was carefully laid out on a grid so that each identified feature corresponded with its location on the archaeological map. Tour guides were hired to interpret the site’s history and demonstrate traditional skills associated with village life during the 1400s. A conventional museum and gift shop opened on the property in 1998. For nearly 30 years, the site has welcomed visitors from around the world, as well as school groups from throughout the region, offering hundreds of thousands of people an educational glimpse into life more than five centuries ago.
Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum is owned and operated by Bland County, and I serve as the general manager of this public historical attraction. Our guiding mission is to educate visitors about the earliest inhabitants of this region, honor the cultural heritage of Native American communities, and preserve our local history. Although my primary responsibility is overseeing the facility’s daily operations and ensuring that it runs efficiently, I also develop programs and events that encourage community engagement. My team and I have organized pottery and basket-making workshops; cultural programs featuring Native American drum groups, dance, and storytelling; and community events such as our annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Village. I also help create engaging, informative exhibits for our indoor museum. I am proud of my team, the positive workplace culture we have built at Wolf Creek, and the museum’s role in the community. For many local teenagers, working as a tour guide at Wolf Creek is their first job, providing valuable experience in public speaking, customer service, and working with children.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The characteristic I feel is most important to my success is my tenacity and refusal to give up. When faced with many challenges I have had in my life and my career, my determination is what has propelled my forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.indianvillage.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfcreekindianvillageandmuseum
