I’m David McKenzie, a versatile public historian skilled at creative historical storytelling in varied media to engage learners of all ages in critically reexamining the past and present to change the future.
I work to build bridges between people in the past and people today, and work to bridge different fields like academic and public history. I constantly learn and experiment with different storytelling platforms, both personal and impersonal. I use these different platforms to engage a broad range of constituents in understanding the complexities of their world.
My Career Trajectory
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
2026-Present
Assistant Professor of Public History
Courses include:
HIS 626—Practice of Public History
HIS 627—Museum & Historic Site Interpretation
HIS 411—Seminar in Historical Research & Writing
Independent Consultant
March 2025-Present
Services Offered:
Exhibitions | Content Strategy & Development | Project Management | Historical Research & Synthesis | Writing | Interpretive Programming & Education
Folger Shakespeare Library
June 2022-February 2025
Head of Exhibitions
Internal project manager for design and installation of core exhibition. Established core exhibition object rotations and temporary exhibition program. Led creation of temporary exhibition at several DC Public Library locations. Managed creation of two temporary exhibitions.
Ford’s Theatre Society
August 2021-June 2022
Associate Director for History
De facto institutional historian. Created content for historical social media posts. Planned updates to core exhibition. Led distance learning programs for students and adults. Wrote blog posts.
Ford’s Theatre Society
September 2016-August 2021
Associate Director for Interpretive Resources
Managed exhibition prototyping process. Managed interpretive planning process, early stages of core exhibition planning process. Led development of website history and education content. Wrote blog posts. Created and led distance learning programs for students and adults. Wrote blog posts.
Ford’s Theatre Society
September 2015-September 2016
Associate Director for Digital Resources
Planned website history and education content. Served on team that formulated institution’s digital strategy. Served on core team for institution’s website overhaul. Wrote blog posts.
Ford’s Theatre Society
October 2013-September 2015
Digital Projects Manager
Managed development and launch of award-winning digital archive and exhibition platform of reactions to Lincoln’s assassination. Managed development and launch of virtual tour, collections, and online exhibitions on Google Cultural Institute. Co-developed and co-directed summer teacher institute. Wrote blog posts.
George Mason University
August 2011-July 2021
Part-time History Ph.D. student
Major field in U.S. history. Minor fields in Latin American history, digital history. Dissertation on U.S. citizens who moved to Mexico’s interior, 1821-1853.
Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
October 2008-October 2013
Curatorial Associate,
Interpretive Programs Manager
Wrote, adapted, and/or edited interpretive materials, including brochures, exhibition reader rails, blog posts, poster exhibitions, online exhibitions, short online videos, social media content, and print journal. Developed, updated, and led walking tours. Led educational programs for kindergartners through senior citizens.
The Design Minds, Inc.
August 2006-October 2008
Content Developer
Researched and wrote exhibition scripts. Sourced images and artifacts for exhibitions. Participated in installation. Created marketing packages.
Gelman Library Special Collections, GWU
January 2006-July 2006
Archival Assistant
Processed archival collections.
The George Washington University, Museum Studies Program
August 2004-May 2006
M.A. Student
Major field in exhibition development. Minor field in history. Internships at Supreme Court Curator’s Office, Library of Congress Moving Image Section.
The Alamo
Summer 2000
May 2002–January 2003
December 2003–July 2004
History Interpreter
Answered visitor questions and gave history talks at Texas’s most-visited historic site.
Peace Corps El Salvador
January–November 2003
Volunteer
Rural health and sanitation volunteer in village of 500 people.
University of Pittsburgh
August 1998-April 2002
B.A. Student
History and Political Science major.
Concentration in Latin American Studies.