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The Pioneer Museum of Alabama welcomed Jasmine Parris as museum assistant this week.

Jasmine is from Grady and quickly said, with a smile, “near Red’s Little Schoolhouse.”

“I was home schooled and I enjoyed learning at home and also being involved in family life,” Jasmine said.

Barbara Tatom, museum director, said Jasmine came to the museum highly recommended and by one of the museum’s longtime and most dedicated volunteers, Art McKnatt.

Already, Jasmine is involved in the day-to-day operations of the museum.

“She will be a great addition to the Pioneer Museum of Alabama,” Tatom said. “She meets the public really well and she enjoys and appreciates history, especially Alabama pioneer history.”

Jasmine comes from an agricultural background so she knows about and can relate to many of the museum’s artifacts and exhibits.

Tatom said most of the museum tours are self-guided, however, Jasmine will be available to welcome visitors, answer questions and assist visitors in other ways.

Jasmine said she has an interest in guiding tours and McKnatt has been very helpful as she learns more about the old country store and also the Locklar Rolling Store.

When Jasmine is at home, most days, she will be sewing such things as stuffed animals, rag dolls, dresses and sometimes quilt tops.

“I am also working on improving my embroidery,” she said. “When they are in season I enjoy canning jams and jellies from wild fruit like blackberries, beauty berries, and muscadines. I live on a farm with my family so some days are simply filled with things like fence work and clearing brush, but those days are often the most fulfilling.”