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With a bachelor of arts degree in historic preservation and public history, Kelsey Cooke has committed her professional career to the interpretation of heritage and history and to connecting people to places and stories in meaningful ways.
The Ely Winton Historical Society (EWHS) has hired Cooke as the new Executive Director and is enthusiastic about the expertise she brings.
EWHS president Pam Turnbull said, “We are moving forward with so much energy! Kelsey’s formal undergraduate education, her dynamic skill set, her experiences with the National Park Service and her time here in northern Minnesota are just what we need to continue building EWHS. We are so pleased – and so fortunate to welcome her!”
Just wrapping up a summer season as a mine interpreter at the Lake Vermilion- Soudan Underground Mine Park, expect to see Cooke at the museum – and around the area – engaging the public via outreach and collaborations.
She joins EWHS at a time when the list of things to accomplish is quite lengthy, including both new opportunities and deferred project management.
EWHS will be engaging in thoughtful strategic planning while continuing to manage a growing collection of artifacts and historical documents.
As part of the intentional planning process, the “manager” title has evolved to executive director, in alignment with other historical societies and nonprofits.
“It made sense for us,” said Turnbull. “It signals our ambition to increase our capacity.”
Professional experiences with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and as a board member at a historic landmarks commission in West Virginia inform Cooke’s approach. She has a strong foundation in historical research, archival management and public engagement.
When asked why EWHS, she said, “I am particularly drawn to this role because of the opportunities to engage with the community and grow my skills as a historian. I’m excited about expanding the scope of the museum’s operation.
“My favorite exhibit is the model of the five Ely mines. A wonderfully talented local artist, Paul Dahl, dedicated his hand-crafted mine model shortly before his death in 1983. Not only can you see and better understand the layout and proximity of the Ely mines, but also what exists beneath the surface, the iron formations amongst ancient geology.
“I spent this past summer working as a tour guide at Soudan Underground Mine. I have a huge interest in labor history and mining history. The collective narratives reveal resilience, solidarity, and the belief in a better future. The individual stories and diverse experiences contribute to a larger tapestry of our shared history.”
For more information on the EWHS museum and its collection and to learn more, please visit www.elywintonhistory. org
