Careers in Public History

Are you interested in learning about Public History? Are you curious about the work that Public Historians do? Are you interested in working for the National Park Service, a museum, historical society, or archive? Join us as we talk about the world of Public History and career opportunities outside of academia with Rosebud Coffey, Executive Director of Mission Heritage Partners (MHP) and David McKenzie, Head of Exhibitions at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.

October 11, 2022 at The University of Texas at San Antonio main campus, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, Room: Business Building 1.01.15, from 4:00pm-6:00pm.

Rosebud Coffey is the Executive Director of Mission Heritage Partners (MHP), the nonprofit friends' group that supports the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Coffey recently celebrated her 15th anniversary working for MHP and has worked as the Executive Director for five years. Coffey has a History BA/Minor in Latin American History from the University of the Incarnate Word and a History MA with a concentration in Public History from Texas State University. Before working at MHP, she managed an architecture firm specializing in Historic Preservation projects. Coffey has found that Public History has been an asset in her job from an interpretive standpoint in helping connect with donors.

David McKenzie is a public historian who serves as Head of Exhibitions at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., and teaches a museum course for the St. Mary's University Public History program here in San Antonio. He previously worked at Ford's Theatre, the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, and at an exhibition design firm. Originally from San Antonio, he began his public history career as a tour guide at the Alamo. He finished his History Ph.D. at George Mason University in July 2021, and holds a M.A. in Museum Studies from George Washington University and a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, United States