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PdC native, former curatorial assistant, named Villa Louis manager

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Josh Wachuta officially started his duties as Villa Louis site manager on Friday, June 2. He will work part-time through December, until he finishes his dissertation, and then he will become full-time.

By Correne Martin

A fresh, but familiar, face is fulfilling the Villa Louis site manager role.

Josh Wachuta, born and raised in Prairie du Chien, and a former Villa staff member, officially started in the manager’s position Friday, June 2. He will work under Susan Caya-Slusser, Wisconsin Historical Society southwest sites regional director.

Wachuta first started employment at the Villa Louis as a guide for a couple years in high school. He then went to college at UW-La Crosse and eventually returned to the local historic site as a curatorial assistant for a few more years before heading off to graduate school at Loyola University Chicago.

“I am so pleased to welcome Josh back. There were over 70 applicants for the positions at each of the southwest sites, and Josh, of course, was the most qualified for Villa Louis,” Caya-Slusser said. “Not only is he from Prairie du Chien, but his research and work with our early site history make him invaluable as we look to new programming and as we await the rehabilitation of the Fur Trade Museum.

Wachuta will slide into his new position by working three days per week at the Villa Louis until December, when he plans to finish his Ph.D. dissertation about the history of American Indians in the economy of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. His dissertation also investigates how Ho-Chunk and Dakota trade and treaty annuities provided investment capital to settlers like Hercules Dousman, who in turn used it to finance urban and industrial development.

Wachuta will be full-time thereafter.

“Josh and I have worked closely together for several years, including his assisting me during the flood of 2011. I miss being at the Villa on a daily basis, but adding Josh to an already amazing staff makes my absence much easier,” said Caya-Slusser, who will be dividing her time among the Villa Louis, Stonefield, Pendarvis and First Capitol.

Josh is the son of Steve and Jenny Wachuta, of Prairie du Chien. He will also be getting married in September.

 

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