EHS Staff and Interpreters

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.

Mikayla Sarie

Museum Registrar & Collections Manager

Mikayla Sarie is the Museum Registrar and Collections Manager at the Edina Historical Society. She holds a BA in Anthropology and has worked with a variety of local museums, where she supported special collections and archival processing, genealogy and exhibit research, and the organization of physical and digital repositories.

Mikayla is committed to preserving cultural and informational resources and brings a strong focus on accessibility and care to her work. She applies her experience to strengthening and expanding access to Edina’s growing collections, helping ensure they remain organized, discoverable, and available for research and public engagement.

Carin Leonard-Gorrill

Youth Program Leader & Historical Interpreter

Carin Leonard- Gorrill holds a BA in Drama/Speech from Clarke College in Iowa and moved to the Twin Cities to work in local theater and commercials. She has performed with a multitude of small theater companies in the Cities. She is also a historic and ghost tour guide with CynCity Tours in St. Paul. You may even catch her voice on  Heimie's WHEI Streaming Radio. On the business front, Carin has worked in Marketing and Administration, managing offices, coordinating events, and working on social media and digital marketing.

Carin's love of local history started when she became a tour guide in St. Paul. It wasn't just learning a script, it was a chance to deep dive into the history of the area and learn the stories of the caves, the rivers, the gangsters, the ghosts, and more. It led to learning how the Mighty Mississippi connected her old hometown area to her home now, not just by the landscape, but the people and stories they share. She is very excited to bring all the interesting stories of the past to life for all the kids who come to EHS to learn about their hometown. As Cyn from CynCity says, if you can't find Carin, start checking the (historic) rabbit holes. 

Kathryn Schug

Youth Program Leader & Historical Interpreter

Kathryn Schug (she/her) holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the College of Saint Benedict. Schug is a writer and book artist. In 2023, her poem, “Voices of All” won the Dexter R. Stanton MLK Art & Essay Contest College Award. In 2024, Schug was the curator and a featured artist in the exhibit Duality: Artists’ Books Exploring Multiple Sides. Her fine press artists’ book Blooming Books/Burning Blooming Books was her featured piece of art. In 2024, Schug co-authored an article with Dr. Ted Gordon. The article, “Rights of Nature: The Indigenous-Led Movement for Sovereignty and a Sustainable Future” was published in The Journal of Social Encounters: Volume 1 Issue 2. Two of Schug’s poems, “32” & “Dis*a*bled,” were published in The Mid-Atlantic Review’s Amplifying Disabled Voices Section in Spring 2025. Additionally, “32” is a part of The Mid-Atlantic Review 2025 Anthology.