Rachel C. Kirby (they/she) is a researcher, educator, writer, and cultural historian of the U.S. South, with experience working in public history, museum, non-profit, and academic settings.
Most recently, Rachel was a Lecturer in History & Literature at Harvard University (2022-2025), where they taught students primarily within their American Studies track. Rachel is the past-President of the New England American Studies Association, having led the organization over the 2023-2024 academic year. Rachel has worked with a number of cultural organizations, including inventorying historical memorabilia for the Boston Red Sox, copyediting an issue of Buildings & Landscapes, and writing tour scripts of historic houses for the Preservation Society of Charleston, South Carolina. If you are interested in working with Rachel on a current project, please reach out at rachelkirbyphd[at]gmail.com!
Rachel holds a PhD in American Studies from Boston University and an MA in Folklore and BA in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rachel's research focuses on identity, memory, and sense of place in the American South, with a focus on visual and material culture and the built environment. Her current project explores representations of southern agriculture since 1866.
When not writing or teaching, Rachel is most likely watching reality tv shows, embroidering, or playing with their cat, Morris, who makes frequent appearances on her social media platforms.
Most recently, Rachel was a Lecturer in History & Literature at Harvard University (2022-2025), where they taught students primarily within their American Studies track. Rachel is the past-President of the New England American Studies Association, having led the organization over the 2023-2024 academic year. Rachel has worked with a number of cultural organizations, including inventorying historical memorabilia for the Boston Red Sox, copyediting an issue of Buildings & Landscapes, and writing tour scripts of historic houses for the Preservation Society of Charleston, South Carolina. If you are interested in working with Rachel on a current project, please reach out at rachelkirbyphd[at]gmail.com!
Rachel holds a PhD in American Studies from Boston University and an MA in Folklore and BA in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rachel's research focuses on identity, memory, and sense of place in the American South, with a focus on visual and material culture and the built environment. Her current project explores representations of southern agriculture since 1866.
When not writing or teaching, Rachel is most likely watching reality tv shows, embroidering, or playing with their cat, Morris, who makes frequent appearances on her social media platforms.