The Wet
In the summer of 1983, Donald H. Mahan constructed in his words, “The finest outdoor shower facility in mid-America.” The Wet is located directly behind the White. Centrally located, it houses facilities for nearby cabins that don’t have plumbing. For a time, it served as a site for burials, an annual tradition at Ox-Bow, in which staff inlay ceramic objects mosaic-style into the floors and walls.
The Wet provides a place to clean up after a long hot work day. And after a Friday Night Dance Party, folks have been known to gather there to see how many people they can get into one shower.
Housekeeping at Ox-Bow
Our housekeeping staff play an integral and often underrecognized role at Ox-Bow. They work day in and day out all summer long to keep the campus clean, welcoming, and safe. Michael Cuadrado, current Head of Housekeeping at Ox-Bow, shared his thoughts on this role.
The following is a short interview between Molly Markow, Executive Assistant, and Michael Cuadrado, Head of Housekeeping.
MM: What was your first experience in the Housekeeping department at Ox-Bow?
MC: While I was a Fellow, back in 2017, I worked in the kitchen; however, there was a week before summer officially started where we were allowed to try every job: housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, and office. So I guess that was my first time experiencing housekeeping, even if it was only for a few days. It wasn’t until 2019 that I officially started as Housekeeping Manager.
MM: So, you’ve really worked your way up the housekeeping ladder here! Housekeeping is so integral to Ox-Bow’s operations; how do you view the role of housekeeping in Ox-Bow’s ecosystem/community?
MC: When talking about jobs at Ox-Bow, I always make the comparison of being here as a student/Resident versus being here as a staff member. As a student everything is already laid out for you. Meaning the “magic” of Ox-Bow is awaiting your arrival. Now when you are staff, you’re the one responsible for making all this magic possible, even the magic of having a clean bathroom. Similar to not having to worry about making meals for yourself, for example, part of this experience includes not having to worry about the cleanliness of certain areas around campus. It’s the little things that matter, especially with housekeeping. Caring for the space one lives in is very important, especially if you live within a community such as Ox-Bow’s. I see it as a form of love and respect, for the space and the people.
MM: That’s so true! The magic of Ox-Bow doesn’t come without a lot of intentional love, care, and work from the staff. While so important, housekeeping also comes with a lot of repetitive/mundane tasks, I imagine—how do you keep things interesting/fun?
MC: This is very true and something I am continuously thinking about. Going back to the idea of caring about little details, I have found that I get something out of being able to decide which one of our very specific quilts will go to what cabin, or which curtain fits best with which room. A little bit of interior design never hurt anyone! Sometimes we need to update some of the signage around campus, so I can get creative with those as well. Projects that involve a group of people are always my favorite. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know the people who end up working housekeeping with me. Cleaning the Wet as a community is also a very bonding experience! ;)
MM: What’s your favorite memory of housekeeping at Ox-Bow?
MC: Oddly enough, one of my favorite memories of housekeeping wasn’t while I was working as the manager, but during my fellowship year. The housekeeping crew then hosted a soap foam party in the Wet in celebration of making it through the summer. It was open to everyone on campus and combined the cleaning aspect of housekeeping and the social part of Ox-Bow. I was very impressed with the idea. Definitely taking notes for the future!
MM: In true Ox-Bow form! That sounds so fun. Are there any housekeeping stories, traditions, histories, or rituals we should know about?
MC: There is that very special tradition, which hangs in one of the bathrooms in the Inn, of the famous toilet paper fold-and-fan formation! This tradition reappears from time to time; however, it originated back in 2007 with Shanna Shearer and Alex Chitty. Another tradition that I enjoy is the door of the housekeeping room. Every year we have people write housekeeping personal letters thanking us for all of our work. They are very thoughtful and appreciated. So in honor we hang them up on the door. It’s a nice reminder.
MM: I love that door! I always get caught looking at it for a long time when I’m down in the basement. There’s so many sweet notes of appreciation that hang there. The past year has been one for the books, and you’ve continued to oversee housekeeping at Ox-Bow through it all. How did COVID-19 change how you view your role/duties, if at all?
MC: COVID-19 definitely had a huge impact on my role here. The amount of responsibility for cleanliness increased tremendously. For example, making sure the people who work directly with me are constantly wearing the appropriate PPE [personal protective equipment]; not only replenishing day-to-day things such as soap, but now things like hand sanitizer and sanitation wipes, which have now become day-to-day things. Cleanliness has easily become the forefront of many peoples’ concerns within the past year, rightfully so. Due to this I had to look at my role through a completely different lens, a COVID-19 lens. I worked with other managers on campus to completely rewrite the housekeeping duties, making sure nearly every building on campus is stocked with the appropriate cleaning/sanitation supplies. Working in a hospitality role such as housekeeping also comes with a lot of anxiety, as I am sure with other jobs. That being said, I am very grateful to be working with such a great team and I am very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.
MM: Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective, Michael! I’ll be on the lookout for your quilt selection in my room next time I’m up on campus.
Photo Captions: These photos show a collection of posters made by housekeeping staff, notes of appreciation that hang on the door into Housekeeping, and the history of toilet-paper folding at Ox-Bow!