45 Jessica Dawkins: historian

Jessica Dawkins, president and CEO of Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, Kentucky, has been a  museum professional and local historian for over 20 years. 

She received a bachelor’s  degree in History from the University of Louisville and a master’s degree in Business  Communication from Spalding University, both of which were fully funded by the Jack  Kent Cooke Foundation in Washington, DC. 

She is also a graduate of the History Leadership Institute, class of 2016.  Her passion lies in 19th century Ohio Valley history, and this focus brought her to work  within historic house museums in the Louisville area. As the southeast regional director  for the Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites, she directed three sites in Southern Indiana:  Culbertson Mansion in New Albany, Corydon Capitol in Corydon, and Lanier Mansion in  Madison. She then served as deputy director of the Kentucky Historical Society and was  most recently the executive director of Liberty Hall Historic Site in Frankfort, Kentucky. 

By taking an interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach to museum management,  Jessica demonstrates a tangible, authentic commitment to audiences and communities  served. She believes historical organizations are visitor-serving and mission-based, and  they are also local businesses, economic drivers, and cultural generators. 

Through  inspirational storytelling, creative programming, and intentional collaboration, Jessica is a  passionate advocate for history as a crucial tool in the life of the everyday citizen.  She also serves on nonprofit boards and committees, including Louisville Public Media’s  Community Advisory Board and Happy Birthday Park. She was Board Chair for  Farmington Historic Plantation and was named one of Business First’s “20 People to Know  in Tourism & Hospitality.”

https://locustgrove.org

Keep up with @HistoricLocustGrove on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.

Kathie’s note: Debra Locker introduced Jessica and me to each other. Instant bonding! Right before our interview, lightning struck the grounds of Locust Hill and every electronic device on the property was out of commission. Lights and computers and everything, so she recorded on her phone.

I thought it was the old house's way of saying, "Enough with your technology!" and Jessica said she has always known that historic homes get what they want. For example, an unlikable employee or a visitor can get invited not to say. "But since I've come to Locust Grove, I realize the land gets what it wants," she said. 

Writers Rotation intro/outro recorded at Dynamix Productions in Lexington, Kentucky.