Stacy Roth:
CLASS OF 1976
Changes High SchoolClass of 1976
East orange, NJ
Hillside High SchoolClass of 1976
Hillside, NJ
A.P. Morris - Saybrook Elementary SchoolClass of 1972
Hillside, NJ
Stacy's Story
I never grew out of wearing historical clothing... For work, I travel around presenting educational storytelling and music programs at libraries, historical societies, womens clubs, and schools. When not working I attend reenactments, usually as a fifer or drummer. The name of my business is History on the Hoof, based in Burlington City, NJ.
After graduating Changes, I part-timed it through college (Kean) while working full time as a historical interpreter for the National Park Service. Continuing with part-time school, I managed to complete an MLS (Rutgers) and an MA in American Civilization (Penn) while working in various University Library Archives and Living History Museums.
Storyteller/Historical Interpreter David Emerson and I started History on the Hoof in 1992. Shortly after that, I started writing a book about First-Person Interpretation as practiced in Living History Museums, titled Past Into Present. The University of North Carolina Press published it in 1998. Guess who it is dedicated to? Three teachers who were my greatest inspirations -- Julian Thompson, "Mr. Z," and Mrs. Hotalen.
Changes,Inc. the high school I attended after leaving Hillside High, is always in my thoughts. The philosophy that "small is beautiful" has remained with me throughout my life. Although I make my living as a performer, I don't work "big," up on a stage, with huge crowds. That is not what motivates me. 30 to 50 people at a time get an up close, interactive, unscripted, highly personalized experience. That's what keeps me going. In my newest program, which is about women defense workers in the Second World War, the show literally gets turned ov...Expand for more
er to the audience to share their own memories and family stories about the war. It is amazing to hear about those days straight from those who lived it!
For half a century, I managed to keep my "old maid" status. However, sometimes the unthinkable happens. One day I recognized a fellow member of a recreational organization, John Niemiec, while working out at the gym. (It's pronounced 'Nimik,' BTW.) John works full time at a conventional job, but his hobby, since 1962, has been reenacting. WWII, WWI, ACW, Revolution, F&I, and Ancient Rome. He is a Navy and Marine Veteran who saw combat in Vietnam. We started working out at the gym together and the relationship developed from there. We married on July 12, 2008, surrounded by guests dressed in the historical outfits of their choice. The theme for our wedding was "It's About Time." The reenactors attended in a range of military styles. Family and friends from outside this peculiar hobby came as 40s civilians, 50s greasers, 60s peaceniks and musicians, 70s leisure suiters, occupational wear, or attired in the oldest thing in their wardrobe. John and I dressed in WWI era clothing and Dad and Mom were attired as WWII Air Force (complete with Dad's 13th Air Force insignia, stripes, wings, and honors) and a 1940s Canteen Performer (which she was.) The bride had a War of 1812 Honor Guard. Musicans and singers opened the ceremony with the song "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca. Fifers and drummers marched the bride down the aisle to "Give Me the Girl That's Ripe for Joy." After we said the vows, we ducked under a very long sword arch! It was a very memorable day.
So that's it in a nutshell.
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