Our Team
A dedicated team of professionals and experts committed to the preservation of our local story
The leadership and staff at the Town of Somerset Historical Society are a diverse group of individuals who share a deep, abiding passion for the preservation of local history and the education of our community. Our team brings together decades of experience in archival management, historical research, community organizing, and professional education to ensure that our society operates at the highest level of excellence. We believe that a successful historical society requires a blend of academic rigor and genuine community warmth, and our staff embodies these qualities in every interaction. Whether we are helping a researcher navigate our archives or hosting a large-scale heritage festival, our team works collaboratively to provide an exceptional experience for every visitor. We are dedicated to continuous professional development, staying abreast of the latest conservation techniques and pedagogical approaches to ensure that our collection and programs remain world-class. Our team is not just a group of employees; we are a family of history enthusiasts who feel privileged to serve as the caretakers of Barker’s incredible legacy, and we invite you to get to know the individuals who make our mission possible every day.
Arthur Miller, Executive President
Arthur Miller has dedicated over thirty years of his life to the deep study of local history and brings a wealth of leadership experience to the Town of Somerset Historical Society. His background in non-profit management and his deep, multi-generational roots in the Somerset area allow him to lead the organization with both professional expertise and a personal passion that is evident in everything he does. Arthur believes that a historical society should be the heartbeat of a community, and he works tirelessly to ensure that our programs are inclusive and accessible to all residents, regardless of their prior knowledge of history. His caring and mentorship-focused approach is seen in the way he guides new volunteers and takes the time to engage in lengthy conversations with every visitor who enters our building. He is a firm believer that every person has a story worth telling and that our job is to provide the platform for those stories to be heard.
Sarah Jenkins, Lead Curator and Archivist
Sarah Jenkins holds an advanced degree in Museum Studies and has spent the last decade perfecting the intricate art of archival preservation and collection management. Her meticulous attention to detail and her deep, fundamental respect for historical artifacts ensure that our collection is maintained to the highest professional museum standards in the country. Sarah is incredibly passionate about making history come alive through creative, thematic exhibits and interactive displays that challenge visitors to think critically about the past. She approaches her daily work with a warm and welcoming spirit, always eager to help a researcher find a specific, needle-in-a-haystack document or to explain the complex significance of a newly acquired artifact to a group of curious students. Her expertise in textile preservation and document stabilization has saved hundreds of local items from certain decay, ensuring they remain for future study.
Robert Henderson, Director of Educational Outreach
Robert Henderson is a former career educator with a lifelong passion for bringing history to life for young learners in a way that feels relevant to their modern lives. He oversees all of our school programs and community workshops, ensuring that our curriculum is both historically accurate and pedagogically sound for various developmental stages. Robert’s extensive background in child development allows him to create programs that are engaging, age-appropriate, and exciting for the many hundreds of students who visit us each year on field trips. He believes that history should be an adventure of discovery rather than a list of dates to memorize, and his enthusiastic, storytelling teaching style has inspired countless local youths to take an active interest in the heritage of their own hometown. He is often found in the “discovery room,” helping children understand the physics of old farm machinery or the chemistry of traditional soap making.
Eleanor Vance,
Community Engagement Coordinator
Eleanor Vance is the primary and vital link between the society and the local families and businesses of the Somerset region. With a background in sociology and community organizing, she excels at building lasting partnerships and organizing large-scale events that bring people together in a spirit of celebration and learning. Eleanor is responsible for our extensive volunteer programs and family-focused weekend events, always striving to ensure that every participant feels welcome, valued, and heard. Her warm personality, infectious laugh, and genuine interest in people’s personal stories make her a beloved and indispensable figure in our organization. She is dedicated to ensuring that the historical society remains a vibrant, inclusive, and bustling space for the entire community to gather. Whether she is coordinating a heritage festival or a small genealogy workshop, her focus is always on the human connections that history facilitates.
Community and Engagement
Building strong bonds through a shared commitment
Family involvement is the absolute cornerstone of our organization and we offer numerous opportunities for parents and children to explore history together through our weekend workshops and monthly family day events. We pride ourselves on our strong and productive community partnerships with local businesses, schools, and other non-profit organizations, which allow us to expand our collective impact and reach more people than ever before. Our calendar is filled with events and activities designed to celebrate the unique and resilient culture of Somerset, from seasonal lectures and craft fairs to community preservation projects aimed at saving local landmarks. We believe that by working together as a united community, we can ensure that our local narrative remains a vibrant, essential, and protected part of our shared identity. Our engagement efforts extend to local government as well, as we advocate for the preservation of historic zoning and the protection of Somerset’s rural character against urban sprawl. Through this active engagement, we transform the historical society from a static archive into a dynamic community center that is alive with conversation, discovery, and a shared passion for our unique corner of the world.
Join Us/Work With Us
Building a career in the heart of local heritage and community service
The Town of Somerset Historical Society is always on the lookout for passionate, dedicated, and highly skilled individuals to join our professional staff and help us expand our mission. Our career opportunities range from specialized archival and curatorial roles to dynamic educational outreach and essential administrative support positions. We take immense pride in our unique team culture, which is built on a strong foundation of mutual respect, a shared passion for regional history, and an unwavering commitment to serving our community with warmth and professionalism. We offer a highly supportive and collaborative work environment where all employees are encouraged to pursue ongoing professional development and contribute their unique ideas to our growing organization. Our application process is thorough and designed to identify individuals who not only have the necessary academic and professional qualifications but also share our deep, personal commitment to the vital mission of historical preservation and public education. We believe that our team is our greatest and most valuable asset, and we are dedicated to fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive, grow, and make a truly meaningful impact on the cultural life of Somerset. Working with us means becoming a vital part of Barker’s ongoing story, as we work together to ensure that our past remains a living and inspiring part of our future.
