By THEA RUTHERFORD, Guardian National Correspondent, thea@nasguard.com

History seems just a little bit more real when Andrea Major tells it. Her eyes widen and twinkle, her smile — already omnipresent — stretches even further and her voice gets ready for the story, rising and falling with the twists and turns of a tale. Even a brief one.

Ever wonder about the origins of Fort D'Arcy, the western-most fort on Fort Charlotte? It was built to ensure the protection of most of the soldiers, who would have been in Fort Stanley, in the event of an attack or explosion, Major explained. When she did, it was hard not to imagine a battalion of uniformed troops, huddled in Fort Stanley beneath the roar of cannon fire.

As the education officer for the Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) — "The principal heritage conservation agency of The Bahamas" — Major, 57, thrived on chatting with visitors and teaching school children about the country's historical landmarks and artifacts. And it was not unusual for a child or two to sidle up to her and grab her hand or give her a hug during a tour of the Pompey Museum, while she was explaining an exhibit or sharing an interesting fact about a particular fort on a tour.

Now that she is the corporation's PR officer, a post she recently received after spending eight years as its education officer, Major still enjoys talking about her favorite topics.

"I love history," she said. "And I've always loved history. There was a time when I wanted to be a history teacher." In many ways she became one.

Her new post easily combines two of her biggest interests: history and people.

"I've always been very gregarious."

Her love for people she traces back to her childhood. And her love of history to her parents who both loved to tell stories.

Her father, legendary Bahamian musician, the late Freddie Munnings Sr. "was interested in African history and we were sensitized to that growing up. And he loved to talk history: history that he lived or his mother lived. And so we grew up having this thirst for information."

Before joining the AMMC, Major worked in the hotel industry for 17 years. The job was one she felt prepared her even more for interacting with people, though her amiable nature minimized any preparation needed.

She ventured onto another avenue of tourism when she obliged her father-in-law's request to drive his taxi. He told her to think of it as a heirloom; he had operated the taxi since 1952. Major took over the taxi, using the experience as her internship for her tourism management studies at the University of the West Indies, but also as another opportunity to engage people.

"I fell in love with the job because it was so people-oriented. I was never bored; every hour or half hour you picked up new people, and that was a whole new conversation."

Major's extensive travels have also helped her to relate to all kinds of people. They've helped her to appreciate other cultures and to celebrate her own.

Her affection for children has steered her toward involvement in youth activities for more than 20 years. She has worked with Junior Achievement and been a group leader for AWANA. — a Christian youth club for 5 to 18-year-olds with chapters at various churches around the island.

"What I love about young people is the freshness, and it keeps you in touch with what's going on in the world," she said.

Some day she wants to be a missionary.

"I've committed that to the Lord and I know some day it's going to happen. But it's not now, because right now, I'm enjoying my four grandchildren."