Lindenwood Magazine - Fall 2021

28 FALL 2021 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD 29 FALL 2021 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD ALUMNI PROFILE Living out her dreams while putting her degree to good work, Jacqueline Brown ’18 is not your average college graduate. It all started with a love for history and an eye for design. Brown was determined to make her inspirations a reality in her daily life, both at home and in her professional career. As the caretaker, web designer, social media manager, events assistant, and historical tour guide of the Oakland House Museum, located in Affton, Mo., Brown is wearing all the hats that fit under her studies from Lindenwood. Brown graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design with a minor in art history. The Oakland House, established in 1853, was built by Louis Auguste Benoist as a country home for him and his family. George Ingrahm Barnett, who designed the Tower Grove home of Henry Shaw (Missouri Botanical Gardens), the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City, as well as many other lavish homes in Lafayette square, was the commissioned architect who designed the mansion. The Oakland House is listed in the National Register of Historical Places, as well as recorded by the Historic American Buildings Survey of the United States Department of the Interior in the Library of Congress. With her deep love for history, it is easy to see why the Oakland House caught her attention. However, Brown’s eye wasn’t the only one that was caught when a position became available in July of 2018. Setting herself apart from the other history-loving applicants, Jacqueline showcased her unique skills by putting on her period-accurate clothing and presenting how she could use her unique talents to improve this unparalleled non-profit, in addition to the required job duties. “Sharing my passion for history through graphic design and other mediums is my way of connecting and promoting the past with the present, which is something I care deeply about,” Brown stated. Earning herself the well-deserved job of her dreams, she now lives in the old servant’s quarters, complete with her own bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom on the second story of the mansion. Brown cherishes her unordinary position that allows her to manage so many different areas of the non-profit. She explains that her time at Lindenwood studying graphic design helped prepare her for many aspects of her current role, including designing and managing the website, updating and creating new signage, managing the social media accounts, and advertising for events. She also explains that though she chose graphic design as her focal point, she recalls the history and art history courses being some of her very favorites. “I didn’t realize how much I loved history until I was finishing my degree. I took so many history classes, that I ended up with a minor almost on accident.” Brown said. Particularly, Brown finds herself interested in both the Renaissance and Victorian eras. It is at the St. Louis Renaissance Faire, where Brown plays the part of Mary Tudor, that she discovered her interest in period re-enacting, prior to taking on her full-time position at the Oakland House, where her focus slowly shifted toward the Victorian era. However, it’s not just clothing that the young graduate finds herself most interested in. It is all of it, the architecture, the way of life, and the story that lies within history. THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY Brown serves as the historical tour guide of the Oakland House Museum. JACQUELINE BROWN Sharing my passion for history through graphic design and other mediums is my way of connecting and promoting the past with the present, which is something I care deeply about. by Alexandra Bardon ‘15