Rachael A. Finch
Center for Historic Preservation, MTSU
Rachael.Finch@mtsu.edu
Education
B.A. History and Political Science
Metropolitan State University, Denver, Colorado, May 2006
M.A. History, concentration Public History with emphasis in Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Management
Middle Tennessee State University, May 2013
Academic Accomplishments & Affiliations
National Dean’s List – 2005 and 2006
National Scholar’s Honor Society – 2005 and 2006
Current Affiliations:
National Council of Public History
Organization of American Historians
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Southern Historical Association
Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society
Middle Tennessee GIS Forum
Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
Master’s Thesis
“Battles on the Home Front: Battlefield Reclamation and Interpretive Challenges at Civil War Historic Sites” May 2013.
Professional Historical Experience
Historical Researcher & Civil War Projects Coordinator, Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, September 2013 – present
Responsible for researching, drafting text, assembling photographs, and facilitating development of the Civil War Trails program, a
partnership between the Tennessee Departments of Tourism and Transportation and the Heritage Area. To date completed forty trail
markers designated for installation in Tennessee State Parks in the spring and summer of 2014. Currently working with a graduate research
student on select state historic sites and designated for installation in the fall of 2014.
Provide historical research and photographic documentation for Civil War projects concerning the Heritage Area and the Center for
Historic Preservation, including the newly acquired battlefield property at Carter’s Hill, Franklin, Tennessee.
Facilitate Special Projects in Franklin, Tennessee, with highlighted focus on the planning and development of the Sesquicentennial
Signature Events to be held in Franklin, November 2014.
Historical Researcher, Center for Historic Preservation, May 2013 – September 2013
Provided detailed and multi-faceted research, compiled panel text, and assisted with exhibit design and digitization for “The Battle of
Nashville: History Unfolds at Traveller’s Rest” exhibit at Historic Traveller’s Rest Plantation and Museum showcasing the Middle
Tennessee Civil War story.
Assisted with development, organization and categorization of a working archive database of the historic site’s and the family’s
photographs, artifacts and personal documents.
Past Historical Projects
Contributor on the Civil War Working Group “The Choices We Make: Public Historians’ Role in the Commemorations of the
Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War” National Council on Public History, Pensacola, FL, April, 2011.
Researched, edited text and selected photographs for the Battle of Franklin brochure developed in partnership between Franklin’s Charge
and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, September 2009-May 2010.
“Historic Structure Report and Archeological Reconnaissance Survey for Glen Leven” Nashville, TN, May, 2010. Property owned by the
Land Trust for Tennessee and in partnership with the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.
GIS project development for the Battle of Franklin, details heaviest fighting during the battle and civilians in relation to the modern day
landscape and land reclamation efforts. Presented at NCPH Poster Session, Portland, OR, March, 2010 and TNGIS Conference,
Gatlinburg, TN, April, 2010.
Contributed developing information to create blog for professional discussion on the Glen Leven House, Nashville, TN, conducted during
the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Nashville, October, 2009.
Contributor to the newly developed Stones River Battlefield Historic Landscape Digital database at MTSU. Researched and compiled
information pertaining to the Cemetery community from 1868-1929 with development of Stones River National Battlefield Park, OctoberDecember, 2009.
Co-authored the Preservation and Interpretive plan for the Cowan Railroad Museum, Cowan, TN, May, 2009.
Co-authored an Interpretive Plan for Thompson’s Station Battlefield Preservation Park, Thompson’s Station, TN, December, 2008.
“John Glover House”, Gallatin, TN. National Register of Historic Places nomination, December, 2008.
Historical analysis for Madison County Courthouse, Madisonville, TN Historic District, May, 2008.
Historic Preservation Experience
Graduate Research Assistant, Spring 2013
Assisted with Heritage Area Civil War research and assisted in the field at Historic Traveller’s Rest Plantation and Museum gathering
photographs and researching text for a documentary film on Traveller’s Rest during the Civil War and the Union occupation of Nashville.
Graduate Research Assistant, Spring 2010
Assisted with research and field survey for Glen Leven Mansion. Focused primarily on the landscape and its place during the Civil War,
Battle of Nashville, field hospital, burial records of soldiers, transportation corridors, possible military entrenchments, and archeology. Led
graduate students working on environment, agriculture, and preservation concerns. Assisted with GIS and GPS during field surveys.
Intern, Franklin’s Charge, Franklin, TN. June 2009-June 2010
Coordinated tours for annual summer symposiums, coordinated and facilitated tours in Franklin during the National Trust for Historic
Preservation conference in Nashville, 2009. Written articles for organization’s newsletter, developing grant proposals with the Tennessee
Civil War National Heritage Area for the proposed Cotton Gin site Battle of Franklin, and Thompson’s Station Battlefield Park,
coordinated tour development and educational programming for symposium, Summer 2010, assisted with reclamation fundraising of
proposed Cotton Gin site Battle of Franklin, public relations coordinator for Civil War community outreach programs.
Historical Interpreter, Historic Carnton Plantation, Franklin, TN. 2007.
Conducted 4 to 5 tours a day to groups ranging from 10 to 30 people. Honed functional knowledge of the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
Worked with education director in planning and facilitating large school groups and special educational functions.
Prior Professional Experience
Director of Client Relations, Catanzaro and Associates, Golden, CO. 1999-2000.
Managed office operations and daily activities of 4-person team. Arranged national speaking engagements for renowned veterinary
scientist. Facilitated and managed database of new and existing client relationships. Created feedback system for review of public
appearances.
Store Manager & Lead Interior Designer, This End Up Furniture Company, Littleton, CO. 1996-1999.
Managed a team of 8 in the largest outlet in the western U.S. Directed sales to consistent annual increases. Responsible for inventory
management, staff relations, routing of delivery trucks and floor staging. Consistently delivered exceptional customer service, receiving
company award for performance. Provided well-received interior design services to clients both in-home and in-store.