Caitlin Simpson ’14, ’17M and Rachel West ’08

As Colonial Williamsburg commemorates both the nation’s 250th anniversary and the institution’s centennial, two UNCW alumnae are helping bring its history to life.

Rachel West ’08, executive director of development communications, and Caitlin Simpson ’14, ’17M, supervisor in Colonial Williamsburg’s Department of Historic Interpretation, play vital roles in connecting audiences with America’s past. Through storytelling, philanthropy and immersive visitor experiences, they help preserve and share the stories of Colonial Williamsburg.

Both Seahawks were drawn to history from an early age. For West, the spark came during childhood trips to Williamsburg with her mother and grandmother. Her passion for storytelling led her first into journalism, where she worked as a digital content producer and later as a politics producer. Since joining the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in 2014, West’s career advanced from marketing into development communications, where she leads efforts to communicate the foundation’s mission to donors and supporters around the world. Her work involves collaborating with historians, archaeologists, curators, interpreters and senior leadership to share the stories behind Colonial Williamsburg’s educational and preservation efforts.

“What sets Colonial Williamsburg apart from other historic sites is we show a cross-section of an entire community at the start of the American Revolution,” said West, who earned a bachelor’s degree in film studies. “There are infinite stories to tell here, and we uncover new ones every day, which we share with our donors and others who care so deeply about our mission.”

West’s involvement in the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation has prompted a deeper appreciation of the role public history institutions play in preserving diverse perspectives.

“Colonial Williamsburg strives to tell the full history of our nation’s founding, including its triumphs and tragedies,” she said. “Our understanding of our past is always evolving as new information is uncovered and primary sources are discovered, and our mission is to learn from that past and inform our future. We have a responsibility to the nation to share this story, and we do so without any leanings, just the facts. I feel I have a responsibility to be a good steward of that history.”

Simpson developed an appreciation for history through visits to historic sites and participation in historical reenactments with her father. At UNCW, she earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in anthropology in 2014, followed by a master’s degree in public history in 2017. Along the way, she gained hands-on experience through internships, archival research and community-based projects with organizations such as the Bellamy Mansion Museum and the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens.

“I always knew I wanted to study history. The American Revolution fascinated me, and to be completely honest I can’t tell you exactly why. Participating in 18th-century reenactments with my dad helped, but I have always been drawn to this unique period of history,” Simpson said. “I took an ‘Intro to Public History’ course in my junior year of undergrad, and it was like something snapped into place. I never realized how varied the museum world was and all the different roles you could be paid for. We read books and articles about first- and third-person historical interpretation, and I realized this was exactly what I wanted.”

Her work at Colonial Williamsburg focuses on helping visitors connect with 18th-century life and the American Revolution. Through costumed interpretation, family programming and mentorship of youth interpreters, she creates opportunities for guests to engage directly with history. She believes the most rewarding moments come when visitors experience a “light bulb” realization that helps them see the past in a new way.

“You can literally see it on their faces,” she said. “It gives me joy and a sense of purpose when I know I have done my job well, and when I see this moment, I know I can lead these guests even deeper into the nuance of the past.”