By Brent Hoffmann, Class of 2005
“You really make these people come alive.” Barb often has heard that compliment from tourees during her long tenure as a docent on the Graceland Cemetery tour. She and a committee of docents wrote the tour in 1974, and it remains one of CAF’s most popular. Since then, other docents have developed two related tours: Graceland Cemetery: Symbols in Stone and Graceland Cemetery: Women of Influence.
In the mid-1970s, Barb researched and wrote the popular self-guided tour book A Walk Through Graceland Cemetery. “We knew that no single two-hour tour could cover all of the noteworthy graves,” she said. “I wrote it so people could do the tour on their own, and docents wouldn’t have to take huge groups through the cemetery. I gave the manuscript to Marian Despres, then head of CAF, and she organized the funds to get it published. The book originally came out in 1977. Since then, it’s been reprinted with my updates, additions and corrections seven more times.” The latest edition, 2011, features color photos by former CAF photographer Anne Evans. It is available in the foundation bookstore and the office at Graceland Cemetery.
Detroit, then Chicago
Barbara’s career as a researcher and writer began in Detroit. She earned a Ph.B. (Bachelor of Philosophy) at the University of Detroit. She was awarded a teaching fellowship and earned an MA in literature at the university – then relocated to Chicago to teach composition and literature at Loyola University.
She took a class in Chicago architecture at the YMCA. Included was a tour led by CAF docent Cheryl Prihoda, a graduate of the second class of docents. Barb was so impressed with the tour that she became a docent in 1973, a member of the third class of docents. “Years later,” she said, “I ran into Cheryl on an ‘L’ platform. She had moved away for a time but was back in Chicago, working at World Book Encyclopedia. That chance meeting led to my 21-year career as an editor at World Book.” Barb retired as a managing editor in 2006.
Among the many tours for which Barb certified in her 35 years are Churches by Bus, Evanston Along the Lake, Lincoln Park: From Cemetery to Sculpture Garden (which she developed) and River North, as well as Graceland Cemetery, Graceland Cemetery: Symbols in Stone, and Graceland Cemetery: Women of Influence.
Say Less
“Tourees like stories,” Barb said, “and Graceland is full of stories. That’s one of the reasons it’s such an enjoyable tour. It’s the burial place of many of the architects whose buildings we show on our walking tours downtown. The temptation is to tell all about their lives, their architecture, their impact,” she continued. “But people have a hard time paying attention when you throw a lot of information at them. If I’ve learned anything in my years as a docent, it’s to ease up, not talk fast, and not tell everything I know.”
In the early 1970s, Barb edited the monthly Docent News. “Back then, it meant gathering all the news items, typing them up, then printing hard copies for mailing.” She was recognized as the outstanding docent for the year 2006.
Emeritus
In 2016, Barbara went on inactive status as a docent because of back surgery. She returned in 2017, but, she said, “I was just barely able to make my hours. My back problems persisted, and I ended up having to use a cane. That, plus the fact that 2017 was the end of my 35th year as an active docent, made me decide it was time to retire. So I applied and was approved for docent emeritus status.”
Barb explained, “Being emeritus means that I’m still a docent member of CAF. I get the docent mailings and a discount in the store, and I can attend docent events. What I can’t do is give tours or serve on a committee.” She added, “I don’t think I’ve fully adjusted yet to not being able to give tours any more. But I’m grateful and proud to still be a part of this wonderful, amazing group of people.”
Caption: As well as a guidebook writer, Barb’s an avid reader. In 2016, sidelined by health problems, she read 149 books, including, she admits, a lot of detective novels. Photo/Hoffmann
I’m adding you to my ‘role model’ list!
What a terrific compliment! Thank you so much, Nancy.
Thanks, Barb, for all you hard work through the years. It’s been a pleasure to have you working on Churches By Bus.
Thank you so much, David. The pleasure was mutual. I’ll dearly miss working with you and Joanne and the rest of your terrific group.
I’m a huge Barb fan. Thank you, thank you, for all you’ve done for all of us. We will see you around.
Thank you so much, Mary Jo. As it happens, I’m a huge fan of yours!
In 1990 when I moved to Chicago (and 10 years before I became a docent), my first apartment was near Irving Park and Southport and I would frequently walk around at Graceland. I mentioned it to a nurse colleague; he knew all about Graceland and loaned me his copy of your book, which I remember making photocopies of on a hospital copier while working night shift! Thanks for all the great work you have done for CAF!
That’s a great story, Linda! Thank you for sharing it.
Barb, I enjoyed having you on our Churches by Bus team. Also, enjoyed being on your team for the Riverwalks. You certainly are a delight to work and learn with while giving tours. Good luck on your retirement journey.
I’ll miss you.
I am grateful for your kind words and good wishes, Joanne. I hope you’re enjoying your retirement. Save time for lunch one of these days!
Barbara is a role model for all of us. I love her advice to “…ease up, not talk fast and not tell everything I know.” Thanks for your many years of service, Barbara!
Merci, Emily! I wish you many happy years of docent-ing.
Enjoy tour new status, Barb! Maybe you can read even more books this year. 😉
Thanks, Robin. About the books –, I think that was my personal best!