Caitlyn Jones

Caitlyn is a public historian specializing in United States history and women's history. Her introduction to the world of public history came during her career as a reporter for a regional newspaper in Denton, Texas. There, she covered the controversy surrounding a local Confederate monument, a refrain that echoed debates across the country as tensions rose between social justice activists and Lost Cause mythologizers in the wake of white supremacist rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia. This experience solidified her belief that history is an inextricable part of our present and that it should be used to help build a more equitable future.

Years after this event, Caitlyn's research as a public historian still sits at the intersection of history, memory, and placemaking. Currently, she holds a Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship and is collaborating with the National Park Service to enhance interpretation at the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument in Washington, DC. Caitlyn has also practiced public history by volunteering as an oral historian for local collectives, interning in museum editorial departments, and working in city historic preservation offices. She is particularly attracted to projects that engage community members and incorporate new voices into larger historical narratives.

Originally from Gun Barrel City, Texas (yes, there is such a place), Caitlyn enjoys photography, playing trivia, backpacking in national parks, and sharing Whataburger french fries with her dog Penny.