My name is Shelby Walker, and I am a public historian and archival professional from Birmingham, Alabama dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and expanding access to the stories that shape our communities. My fascination with history began as a simple curiosity—imagining the people who walked the same paths and touched the same objects long before me. That curiosity evolved into a vocation rooted in stewardship, care, and connection.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of North Alabama and a Master of Arts in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University, where I specialized in archives and collections management. My academic training exposed me to a wide range of public history practices—including archival processing, collections care, historic preservation, and public archaeology—and helped me build a strong foundation for professional work.

Much of my early development was shaped by hands-on projects in Dr. Carroll Van West’s courses, particularly the Cannonsburgh Village Collections Assessment Report and the Leiper’s Fork Interpretive Plan. These experiences strengthened my assessment, research, and interpretive skills and grounded my understanding of how collections and historic sites function within their communities. Outside the classroom, my roles at the Albert Gore Research Center and the Rutherford County Archives gave me practical experience across different types of archival institutions, strengthening my adaptability and deepening my understanding of preservation, access, and public engagement.

I now work as the Archival Technician at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago, contributing to a major NEH-funded digitization initiative. In this role, I support digitization, metadata creation, collections care, and improved public access to the Museum’s archival and object collections. This work has allowed me to continue growing as a professional, applying my training to real-world workflows while learning from colleagues, curators, and community partners.

Although this portfolio began as a graduate school requirement, it has grown into a record of my professional journey—one that will continue to evolve as I gain new experience, take on new projects, and deepen my commitment to public history. I am driven by a dedication to meaningful stewardship, ethical interpretation, and the belief that history should be accessible, inclusive, and community-centered. Whether working in archives, museums, or cultural institutions, I strive to ensure that the stories entrusted to us are preserved with care and shared with integrity for generations to come.