Raquel A. Dwyer, PhD
Executive Director
Dr. Raquel A. Dwyer is an archaeologist, writer, and public historian dedicated to illuminating the stories that shape Minnesota’s landscapes and communities. As Executive Director of the Edina Historical Society, she leads initiatives that connect residents and visitors to Edina’s rich heritage through dynamic exhibits, community partnerships, and hands-on public programs.
Raquel earned her PhD in Anthropology (Archaeology) from the University at Buffalo, where her research focused on paleoethnobotany—the study of ancient plant remains and their role in human culture and paleoethomedicine- the study of medicine, healers and their role in human cultures. Her interdisciplinary work bridges science, history, and storytelling, exploring how relationships between people, land, and plants reveal deeper threads of identity, resilience, and change.
Before joining EHS, Raquel worked in archaeological and botanical collections management, archaeological fieldwork, and educational outreach across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region. She brings to Edina a deep respect for local heritage, a passion for inclusive and place-based storytelling, and a commitment to strengthening historical institutions as welcoming spaces for dialogue, discovery, and community connection.
Outside the museum, Raquel can often be found exploring Minnesota’s rivers and cemeteries, tracing immigrant histories, or gathering inspiration for creative projects that weave together folklore, foodways, and ancestral memory.
