For Ashley Gaudlip, coming back home to Plano to seek a summer internship just made sense. A 2013 graduate of Plano Senior High School, Gaudlip grew up in Plano. She currently attends Tulane University in New Orleans, where she is studying architecture, preservation and the Classics.
When considering summer internship opportunities, Gaudlip immediately thought of The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., a Plano-based non-profit that manages Plano's Interurban Railway Museum and is involved in a wide variety of community historic preservation initiatives.
Gaudlip won the group's 2013 Norwood M. Brenneke Founder's Scholarship, which is awarded annually to students studying historic preservation, architecture, urban planning, history, archaeology, anthropology or engineering. She applied for a summer internship with the group, and was quickly accepted.
"I returned to the Plano Conservancy because I knew I was going to be home for a good part of the summer, and I knew I wanted to get more experience in preservation," she said. "I've always been fascinated by history, art, architecture, pretty much anything liberal arts."
The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc. Co-Director Jeffrey Campbell said Gaudlip was a natural fit for the internship position.
"Our scholarship program and internship program give The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation an opportunity to ensure that preservation management and stewardship of our cultural heritage will continue forward in generations to come," said Campbell. "Ashley's interests and experiences made her a perfect fit for this internship experience."
Gaudlip is currently interning at the museum along with Jessica Woods, who is in the graduate museum studies program at the University of Oklahoma.
"As an intern, I get to help out with the day-to-day running of the museum and serve as a docent," explained Gaudlip. "I also get to help out on special projects and do research. Currently, I'm working on a manual for incoming volunteers, and both my fellow intern and I have been researching historical photos."
"I love getting to give tours and interact with the children that visit the museum," said Gaudlip. "They get so excited about everything, and it's such a fun energy to be around. I also brought my dad along to our recent "Hike Through History" event, and it was really fun having him get to see where I'm interning and be involved with that."
Gaudlip said her parents exposed her to travel and a variety of cultures at a young age, which sparked her interest in architecture, history and culture.
"They really supported that spark and gave me as many opportunities as possible to grow those interests," she said.
When she was in her mid-teens, Gaudlip discovered that some universities offer historic preservation programs.
"Immediately, I knew that's what I wanted to do," she said. "It fit so perfectly with all of my interests, and ever since I've been working towards that goal of being a preservationist. Choosing colleges, the location and ability to study preservation there was a huge deciding factor.
Gaudlip said Tulane's location in New Orleans offers incredible opportunities to explore community history.
"I absolutely love getting to go out and explore the city," she said. "For classes, I've been able to tour homes in the process of being restored and visit many historical sites."
Studying historic preservation has caused Gaudlip to appreciate the rich history of the Plano area, too.
"It's definitely made me more appreciative of where I grew up and more aware of everything Plano has to offer," she said. "I've lived here my whole life. I didn't realize how much was truly here until I left!"
After graduation, Gaudlip plans to obtain a Master's Degree in preservational studies and work in the field of historic preservation and architectural restoration.
"I would love to restore old buildings, especially interiors, and serve on different preservation projects," she said. "There are so many aspects of preservation that interest me, though. I could see myself doing a number of things within the field."
About The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc:
The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc., a Texas corporation 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is an organization dedicated to promote civic pride in the past, to increase preservation awareness through education and public outreach, and to provide financial assistance to protect and preserve our heritage resources for this and future generations. For more information, please visit www.planoconservancy.org or call 972-941-2117.