Becky Oakes Ryer

A public servant with a passion for nuanced historical interpretation, Becky’s research focuses on Civil War memory and cultural heritage tourism, specifically the development of commemorative environments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She enjoys developing interpretive training, digital outreach, and exhibits and programming that encourage dialogue between visitors and practitioners. Becky is dedicated to inclusion, equity, and anti-racist action.

Becky received a bachelor’s degree in history from Gettysburg College in 2013 and a master’s degree in 19th-century U.S. history and public history from West Virginia University in 2015. She currently works as a Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with past experience as the Chief of Interpretation at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site and as an interpretive ranger and webmaster at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park.

You can read all of Becky's posts here.