Staff
Rebecca Guettner, EHS Interim Executive Director
Rebecca holds degrees in History and Music from the University of Minnesota and received her Master of Museum Studies from the University of Aberdeen (United Kingdom) in 2015. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for all things history, teaching and museums. Rebecca currently works for the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Minnesota Historical Society and teaches martial arts.
Rachel Houck, EHS Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Rachel holds a MA in Art History from the University of St. Thomas. She has been involved in the local history field for the last 10 years and has extensive experience in caring for collections and developing engaging museum exhibits. In addition to her duties for EHS, Rachel serves on the board of Directors for the Scott County Historical Society, currently serving as the Board President. Rachel is passionate about the personal aspects of local history -- often, descendants of historical figures can be found in the same local area, tangible artifacts are still being discovered, and colorful stories are being passed down to a new generation.
Rebecca holds degrees in History and Music from the University of Minnesota and received her Master of Museum Studies from the University of Aberdeen (United Kingdom) in 2015. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for all things history, teaching and museums. Rebecca currently works for the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Minnesota Historical Society and teaches martial arts.
Rachel Houck, EHS Curator of Collections and Exhibits
Rachel holds a MA in Art History from the University of St. Thomas. She has been involved in the local history field for the last 10 years and has extensive experience in caring for collections and developing engaging museum exhibits. In addition to her duties for EHS, Rachel serves on the board of Directors for the Scott County Historical Society, currently serving as the Board President. Rachel is passionate about the personal aspects of local history -- often, descendants of historical figures can be found in the same local area, tangible artifacts are still being discovered, and colorful stories are being passed down to a new generation.
Interpreters
T.J. Malaskee, Interpreter at Historic 1879 Minnehaha Grange Hall
T.J. has an extensive background in 19th century agrarian technology and rural and agricultural organizations and movements has led him to work as a cultural historian at the Minnesota Historical Society's Oliver Kelley Farm and Mill City Museum. Malaskee is currently an independent historian and a devoted member of the Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange, a division of the oldest agricultural organization in the country and still active in Edina after 145 years. T.J. is an award-winning writer and poet, and, in his heart, he is a 19th century Yankee farmer.
Beth Swanson, Interpreter at Historic Cahill School
Beth studied History at the University of Minnesota, Duluth and continues to be a passionate advocate of bringing history to life for hundreds of elementary school children. In addition to historical interpretation at the Historic Cahill School, Beth participates in the 55th Foot Revolutionary War reenactment group and an interpretive historical holiday singing group. She is active in Boy Scouts throughout Minnesota as a "Leave No Trace" master educator, teaching outdoor ethics and working with Scouts and the community. She has led high adventure trips to the Boundary Waters for Boy Scouts of America and also gives seminars at the national University of Scouting.
Kate Thornton, Interpreter at Historic Cahill School
Kate holds a BA in History from Milsaps College in Jackson, MS and a JD from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. She worked as an Associate Attorney in Alabama and an Assistant District Attorney in Atlanta, GA. She had a summer internship as a costumed interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg. Kate currently interprets history at Historic Cahill School, presents an art history program to elementary age children and is chair of the Charitable Giving committee in her church community.
T.J. has an extensive background in 19th century agrarian technology and rural and agricultural organizations and movements has led him to work as a cultural historian at the Minnesota Historical Society's Oliver Kelley Farm and Mill City Museum. Malaskee is currently an independent historian and a devoted member of the Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange, a division of the oldest agricultural organization in the country and still active in Edina after 145 years. T.J. is an award-winning writer and poet, and, in his heart, he is a 19th century Yankee farmer.
Beth Swanson, Interpreter at Historic Cahill School
Beth studied History at the University of Minnesota, Duluth and continues to be a passionate advocate of bringing history to life for hundreds of elementary school children. In addition to historical interpretation at the Historic Cahill School, Beth participates in the 55th Foot Revolutionary War reenactment group and an interpretive historical holiday singing group. She is active in Boy Scouts throughout Minnesota as a "Leave No Trace" master educator, teaching outdoor ethics and working with Scouts and the community. She has led high adventure trips to the Boundary Waters for Boy Scouts of America and also gives seminars at the national University of Scouting.
Kate Thornton, Interpreter at Historic Cahill School
Kate holds a BA in History from Milsaps College in Jackson, MS and a JD from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. She worked as an Associate Attorney in Alabama and an Assistant District Attorney in Atlanta, GA. She had a summer internship as a costumed interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg. Kate currently interprets history at Historic Cahill School, presents an art history program to elementary age children and is chair of the Charitable Giving committee in her church community.
