Nellie Kampmann

Nellie Kampmann has a fondness for pirates, adventurers and women from 1930's screwball comedies. In many ways she could be any one of them herself.

Born into a family with the oldest theatrical costume shop in Columbus, she spent her childhood among bolts of lush fabrics and trims, and stories of the people they adorned. Costuming remains an integral part of her life, as all of her hobbies over the years involved a costume of some form. Whether she is giving tours at the Kelton House Museum & Garden, performing with Middle Eastern and Bollywood dance troupes, or wandering around cemeteries and haunted mansions, she does so in period costumes made by her own hand.

Upon meeting someone new, Nellie once quipped about her varied interests, "I belly dance and talk to dead people, but not usually at the same time." She reflects that her interests, as seemingly unrelated as they may be, all come down to history. History in general and specifically the history of the daily lives of people are among her greatest interests.

Over the years, she has worked for various non-profits, especially in history and the arts. This has led to some interesting experiences, like being "the voice of the theater" during concerts at The Ohio Theater, and learning how to weld and do glass blowing.

In addition to her work at the Kelton House, she volunteers for the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, where she is one of the guides for the yearly ghost tours. On the spooky side, she is a member of two paranormal investigation groups, and is a former staff writer for Haunted Voices Radio.

She lives with a ghost, one dog, too many cats, and thankfully only one husband. He is beginning to suspect that she might be a little eccentric.

If you would like to have her come give a book talk for your organization, please contact The History Press at http://historypress.net/contact/.