JANESVILLE — The Rock County Historical Society (RCHS) in Janesville has hired a new assistant director and curator of collections. Cara Kinzelman, who has a doctorate in history from the University of Minnesota and experience working in museums, historical societies, libraries, and nonprofits, was selected to fill the new position.
Kinzelman, a Janesville resident, works with RCHS’ Executive Director Tim Maahs to further develop the nonprofit as a destination for historic interpretation, learning, and innovative programming. As curator of collections, Kinzelman ensures that collections are properly registered, stored, and displayed, while helping to improve the care, preservation of and access to RCHS’ museum collections.
As RCHS moves forward with the Rock County Legacies project — formerly known as the Legacy Center — with an initial plan to collect and share stories from generations of employees who worked in Janesville’s General Motors plant, it became clear that this position is necessary, according to Maahs.
Kinzelman said she is “honored to be a key participant in this exciting period of growth at RCHS. With the support of community partners like the Blackhawk Community Credit Union, we look forward to creating a vibrant museum campus where all individuals can forge a connection with the people and events that have shaped Rock County and our collective sense of community.”
Kinzelman added that she feels as if this position at RCHS is a destination she was meant to reach.
“I majored in history at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and was lucky to have faculty mentors who encouraged me to explore public history. I continued this emphasis in graduate school and received training in archives and records management, curatorial studies, and collections management while obtaining my doctorate. My work experience in museums, historical societies and other nonprofits in both the Midwest and on the east coast has helped prepare me for this exciting role.”
To schedule a tour of the Lincoln-Tallman House and the All About Rock County exhibit, please call RCHS at 608-756-4509. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. — 3 p.m., or by appointment.
