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January/February 2010
National Treasures Class Act More Articles Upcoming Issues
A Starring Role Virginia Hassenflu has played many roles in her life—teacher, patriot, wife, mother and DAR member, to name a few. But to those who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s in Kansas City, Mo., the role she is most known for is that of Miss Virginia, the hostess of the popular children’s series, “Romper Room.”
After graduating from college, Mrs. Hassenflu worked briefly as a physical education teacher. But with World War II raging overseas, she was called to serve her country and joined the American Red Cross. She worked as a recreation worker in the Philippines and Japan, helping entertain and plan activities for soldiers stationed in the Pacific. “We held pool and ping-pong tournaments, bingo games, field trips and even dances for the soldiers,” Mrs. Hassenflu says. “It was a beautiful place to be and a very patriotic experience.” Soon after returning to the United States, Mrs. Hassenflu earned a master’s degree in speech from Kansas State University. While there, she took a course in television, working with classmates to direct and produce a television show. That led to her hosting another children’s show before working on “Romper Room.” “It was a very rewarding job,” Mrs. Hassenflu says of the thousands of “Romper Room” episodes she filmed. “The children were delightful. Each time, you got new little children to show you what they knew.” Outside of the studio, Mrs. Hassenflu recalls children coming up to her all the time, demonstrating the lessons they learned from Miss Virginia. “I’d have children showing me how to bend and stretch or just telling me that they already had brushed their teeth that day. I enjoyed every bit of that job.”
Mrs. Hassenflu on set in the “Romper Room” classroom. Years later at a DAR Continental Congress, Mrs. Hassenflu congratulated an Outstanding Teacher of American History Award recipient who was from the Kansas City area. He recognized her from her “Romper Room” days. She says, “He immediately gasped and said, ‘You’re Miss Virginia! You’re the one who taught me the Pledge of Allegiance!’” These days, Mrs. Hassenflu is best known for her involvement in the DAR and the community of St. Augustine, Fla., where she has lived since 1988, after relocating there with her late husband, Arthur.
With President Truman on the set of "Romper Room" A year after settling into her new hometown, Mrs. Hassenflu helped found the St. Augustine Genealogical Society. Her lifelong passion for genealogy helped her identify the need in the community. “When I moved down here, there was no place for genealogists like me, so I started the society in 1989,” she says. “It’s been a thriving organization. Every year we take a few trips to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and to Washington, D.C. Of course, the DAR Library is always a stop on our tour.” Mrs. Hassenflu recently handed over huge three-ring binders filled with her family’s history to her two sons, Gary and Mark, and her stepdaughter, Judy. “This has been the big project throughout my life,” Mrs. Hassenflu says. “It’s all there, including ancestry tables, photos, maps, diagrams, stories, facts and references about our family history.” Mrs. Hassenflu’s passion for genealogy and history has been an asset to the Maria Jefferson Chapter, St. Augustine, Fla., which was named for Thomas Jefferson’s great-granddaughter. Involved in the chapter since before she relocated to St. Augustine, Mrs. Hassenflu served as Chapter Regent, Vice Regent and Registrar, and is now Honorary Chapter Regent. When she was Chapter Regent, Mrs. Hassenflu led her chapter to erect a marker in the city’s Plaza de la Constitución to honor the Patriots who were held as prisoners in the area during the Revolutionary War. “Among the prisoners held here were three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Thomas Heyward Jr., Arthur Middleton and Edward Rutledge,” she says. The dedication of the marker coincided with the chapter’s two-day centennial celebration. “We held a formal ball at the glorious Hotel Alcazar (now Lightner Museum), and the next day we boarded a showboat for a cruise on the Matazas River,” she says. “State and National Officers of DAR were present to help us celebrate.” Today, Mrs. Hassenflu is researching a DAR Patriot from St. Augustine and hopes to start planning a marker for him soon. She is also helping the DAR prepare for St. Augustine’s 450th birthday, which will take place in 2015. Mrs. Hassenflu is known for playing the role of Martha Washington in the Maria Jefferson Players, an acting group formed by her DAR chapter. She recently played the part of America’s first first lady at the Florida Northeast Regents Council meeting, which coincided with George Washington’s birthday. “I had a ball researching the role,” she says. “I’ve also played Maria Jefferson and Dolley Madison. My years as Miss Virginia really paid off.”
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Boston Uncommon The acclaimed artist John Singleton Copley (1738–1815) was a teenager when he painted this portrait of Colonel Thomas Marshall of Boston around 1755. Copley was the portraitist of choice for Boston’s wealthy merchant society until his departure for England in 1774. In London, he continued to paint and exhibit both portraiture and historical paintings, and he became a member of the Royal Academy. He never returned to America and died in 1815 in London.
This image of Col. Marshall (1719–1800) seems spare when compared with Copley’s later dazzling portraiture. Yet the young artist succeeded in portraying the status and taste of Marshall. Seated in a fashionable chair, Marshall’s brown velvet suit and snowy shirt ruffles denote a gentleman of substance. Marshall was a tailor, but as a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts since 1761, he was named a colonel before the Revolutionary War. As a prominent Boston citizen, he was active in civic and government affairs, and served as a selectman from 1772–1776. Copley also painted the portrait of Marshall’s second wife, Lucy Allen Marshall, daughter of a wealthy Gloucester merchant. The painting is a gift of Mrs. Franklin E. Campbell.
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Taking Action Every year, Diane Stecker’s students at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Fla., start a revolution. No, they’re not boycotting the cafeteria food or ditching class—they’re crafting their own Declaration of Independence. “Each group of students picks a topic that they want to rebel against, whether it’s the school’s regulations, their teachers or their parents’ rules,” Stecker explains. “Then they air their grievances by crafting a document mirrored after the Declaration of Independence.” Stecker, who teaches American history, Advanced Placement history and international relations, says this is an effective way to show her students what our forefathers were up against when they created the famous document. Once the students complete their personal declarations of independence, they present their arguments to the entire school during Constitution Week. “The student body plays the role of the Continental Congress, and they vote on which ‘revolutions’ they want to adopt for the school, and which they don’t,” Stecker says. “I want them to think critically—it’s important to our future.” Stecker ingrains civic responsibility into her students. “I want them to get involved in civics,” she says. “It’s really important, because I’m shaping the students who are going to shape the direction of our country.” In the 2008 presidential election, Stecker took 35 kids to the polls to cast their ballots for the first time. “You should have seen their faces,” she says. “They were absolutely thrilled.” Having taught for five years, Stecker says the most challenging part of her job is changing with the times. “Our school is much more diverse today than it was when I started,” she says. With such a diverse population, Stecker has made it her work to tear down barriers between her students, many of whom are minorities or immigrants. To address her students’ differences, Stecker created an international relations class, which teaches honors students how to communicate across racial lines. While Stecker enjoys teaching honors classes, she recognizes the need to invest extra time in guiding students in her general classes, especially those who don’t have support at home. “Some kids go home to an empty house every night, or they don’t have food to eat,” she says. “You never know what your students are coming to school with. Giving them lots of attention and hands-on help really makes a difference.” When she sees a student who has the potential to be an honors student, Stecker takes a personal interest in his or her education. “A few years ago, I pushed one of my students into the A.P. (Advanced Placement) classroom, and I told her I would walk with her every step of the way,” she says. “Every week I went into her classroom and spoke with her to see if she needed help. I told her, ‘I trust you, and I’ll be your support system. I know you’ll do what you need to do.’ And I was right—she passed her exam.” For Stecker, the key to teaching success is to remain flexible and adjust to change as it comes. “I always said I would never stop learning, and never stop changing my ways,” she says. “I’m a different teacher today than I was when I started.”
FEATURES Wrestling Human Nature by Nancy Mann Jackson Historic buildings have always been subject to the effects of aging, but pollution and climate change can compound that damage. Learn what preservationists are doing to save structures like the NSDAR Headquarters. A Remarkable Real Daughter: The Life and Legacy of Eunice Davis by Shannon McRae Recognized as the only known Real Daughter of color, Eunice Davis lived a remarkable life. More than a century after her death, DAR historians are delving into the life of this passionate anti-slavery activist and community volunteer. The Quasi-War by Bill Hudgins Between the Revolution and the War of 1812, the United States and France were constantly at odds. Learn how the almost-war between the nations ended Federalism and gave rise to the U.S. Navy. DEPARTMENTS Genealogy Sleuth: Remember the Ladies by Lena Anthony Finding female ancestors challenges even the most skilled genealogists, but succeeding can unlock valuable family history. Our Patriots: General Nicholas Herkimer and the Tryon County Militia by Dr. Daniel S. Marrone Though Revolutionary War Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer was never able to enjoy the freedom he fought so hard to secure, his legacy lives on. Spirited Adventures: Asheville, N.C by Megan Pacella For centuries, Americans have sought refuge in the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Asheville, N.C. Bookshelf: Reviews of Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America by Eric Jay Dolin and The Ascent of George Washington: The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon by John Ferling Plus: Letters, Whatnot, President General’s Message To purchase an issue of American Spirit, contact magazinesubscriptions@dar.org To subscribe to American Spirit, visit Subscribe.
Coming in March/April 2010: How Irish-Americans Shaped an Emerging Nation When Panoramas Made the Scene Historic Home: The Rundlet-May House Spirited Adventures: Pittsburgh |
Mrs. Hassenflu hosted the show from 1954 until 1964. She landed the job quickly, as one of only a few candidates who already had TV, classroom and recreation experience. 
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