PENNSYLVANIA — Once again, Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pennsylvania, welcomed Job Corps Civilian Conservation Corps students to their grounds to help provide them with hands-on experience and diverse training. This is the second year Grey Towers hosted Job Corps students. In total, three students had the opportunity this year to participate in diversified work experiences for 12-16 weeks while becoming valued members of the Grey Towers team.

The three students—Jurinn Douglas, A’Precious Norfleet and Rasaan Peters—came from two different North Carolina Job Corps programs: Lyndon B. Johnson Civilian Conservation Center in Franklin,and Schenck Civilian Conservation Center in Pisgah National Forest.

Jurinn Douglas, whose trade is in the culinary field, came to Grey Towers from Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Center. During his time at Grey Towers he gained skills in managing food service for conferences and USDA Forest Service training session. He met daily with the culinary team and management to prep spaces for upcoming usage and coordinate daily logistics.

During his time at Grey Towers, Douglas enjoyed helping with the preparation of finger bowl lunches for conference attendees. This unique area of Grey Towers boasts a historic water table in which dinning participants would pass their food in wooden dishes across the water to promote conversation amongst guests. “This is one of the most unique experiences I have had,” Douglas said speaking of the fingerbowl lunch preparations.

Supplementing Douglas’s culinary trade experience at Grey Towers, he engaged in five observation opportunities at local restaurants in and around Milford. At the restaurants, he learned how to set up and prepare for owning his own business and what some of the pitfalls could be.

A'Precious Norfleet is also a Job Corps Student from the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. She came to Grey Towers with a background in administration and applied these skills in a museum setting. Norfleet used the museum database to complete data entry projects. By adding and enhancing object records within the database, Norfleet ensured accountability and consistency in the description and access of Grey Towers' historic collection. She also organized and inventoried departmental reference materials so valuable research documents are accessible for future Grey Towers project needs.

Norfleet also helped install items and assemble a display board for a new exhibit, "A Playful Past for Gifford Bryce Pinchot." The exhibit features items from Gifford Bryce's childhood, including a baby carriage and classic children’s books. Gifford Bryce was the only child of Gifford Pinchot, the founder of the US Forest Service and two-time governor of Pennsylvania.

“My experience was nothing short of fulfilling, as it allowed me to be a part of an informative and insightful exhibit that will undoubtedly educate and inspire visitors for time to come,” Norfleet said of her time working on the exhibit.

Rasaan Peters is a Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center student. Peters worked with the ground’s maintenance team on pruning trees, climbing ladders, digging, mulching, as well as working on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the historic site. Peters assisted in the Knox Box key placement project on the grounds. This project will now allow emergency services to gain easier access to the site’s buildings during an emergency. He also painted the porch on the student quarters, which is called the farmhouse. His flexibility to adapt to different roles made Peters an important member of the team. After his internship at Grey Towers, Peters plans to complete his trade program at Schenck and earn his certification in HVAC facility maintenance.

Additionally, all Job Corps students had a variety of local field experiences at Grey Towers. Peters and Norfleet obtained their swimming certification through the YMCA of Scranton. The students visited Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, where they learned about the history of locomotives. They also visited a waterfall within a gorge at Nay Aug Park in Scranton. All three students had the opportunity to visit several local historic sites, including the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, museum and home, as well as the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, New York.

Douglas, Norfleet and Peters were an immense help to the Grey Towers National Historic Site's grounds, visitors and staff this season. The Grey Towers team wishes them well on the next steps in their respective careers.

Grey Towers looks forward to continuing this program with additional Civilian Conservation Job Corps students in the future. Job Corps is a free residential educational program that helps ages 16 through 24 complete their education, train for meaningful careers and obtain employment. Follow the link to learn more about the Job Corps program. You may also follow the link to learn more about Grey Towers National Historic Site.