Volunteer Spotlight: Paul Dornfeld/DeDe Potter
Volunteers Paul Dornfeld and Dede Potter love history. Together, they have logged more than 1,200 hours of volunteer time, working at several MNHS historic sites, supporting special events and greeting researchers at the entrance of the Gale Library. Their contributions map a 20 year history of MNHS programs and exhibitions.
Paul began volunteering at MNHS in 2005. Motivated by his interest in knowing more about his great grandfather who served in the Minnesota State Legislature from 1887-1889, he accepted a volunteer position in the Gale Library.
In 2010, Paul and Dede, an East Coast resident, serendipitously met while traveling on an Amtrak train. One thing led to another and Dede relocated to Minnesota 2011.
She was quickly brought into the MNHS volunteer fold, ushering for the 2012 production of "1968: The Year That Rocked the World," a play performed at the Minnesota History Center to complement the MNHS exhibit on the same subject. DeDe shared that one of her favorite volunteer assignments has been Nine Nights of Music, an outdoor music series once held at the Minnesota History Center each summer.
Two of the sites Paul volunteers at are connected to his family’s roots. The first being Historic Fort Snelling. Around 1886, his grandfather was stationed at the fort before being deployed to his South Dakota post. Paul sometimes wonders what day to day life was like for his grandfather while he was stationed at the fort.
The Oliver Kelley Farm evokes similar emotions for Paul. Growing up on a farm, the farm’s 1860s homestead evokes nostalgic emotions for him. Paul often ponders, “What were my ancestors' lives like?”
Paul and Dede have visited every MNHS site with the exception of the Comstock House. Dede notes that her favorite site is the Split Rock Lighthouse as It brings back memories of the historic lighthouses on the East Coast and looking out into great expanses of water.
What do they find most rewarding about volunteering at MNHS?:
- Interacting with the public and community members you likely wouldn’t otherwise meet.
- Observing how the public responds to programs.
- Getting people to smile.
- Having a greater knowledge about the organization’s phenomenal resources.
- Being in the know about the organization.
- The opportunity to see how things work behind the scenes.
- Getting to know staff and people who run the organization.
Paul and Dede’s advice to new volunteers? “Be open to trying different assignments and new locations. There are so many opportunities to learn new things!”