Morgan Albertson Jaouen, Executive Director
Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum
morgan@jacksonholehistory.org
Morgan hails from a small colonial New England village (Old Deerfield, Massachusetts) where she participated in regular historical re-enactments and visited many house museums as a kid. Her “back-yard” experiences inspired her to pursue a career in the field of history, with a specific interest in experiential learning and the physical objects that illustrate the past. After earning her bachelor’s degree in archaeology from Brown University, Morgan moved out West for work and play. It was both the rugged landscape and enduring pioneer spirit of Jackson Hole that Morgan immediately felt connected to; a place she now considers home. For the past five years, she has been working as a cultural resource specialist at Grand Teton National Park, primarily focused on historic preservation planning, volunteer coordination, and project management. She also has been actively involved in the Alliance for Historic Wyoming and the Teton County Historic Preservation Board, serving as an advisor and working on special projects. During this time, Morgan received her Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Oregon.
In 2017, Morgan joined the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum as their Executive Director. With a strong foundation in cultural resource management and a commitment to Jackson Hole Heritage, Morgan oversees the organization’s programming, strategic planning, financial management, special events, and fundraising. When not at the Museum, Morgan can be found out on the mountain bike trails, ski slopes, or investigating historic cabins.
Katherine Wonson, Director
Western Center for Historic Preservation
katherine_wonson@nps.gov
Katherine Wonson is the Director of the Western Center for Historic Preservation, the training and project arm of the Vanishing Treasures Program, located in Grand Teton National Park at the White Grass Dude Ranch. Katherine came to the Vanishing Treasures program from Grand Teton National Park where she served as the cultural resources specialist, managing the park’s archeology, historic preservation, and cultural landscapes programs. Katherine currently serves as an advisory board member for the Alliance for Historic Wyoming and the president of the Teton County Historic Preservation Board. Katherine received her master’s degree from Columbia University in Historic Preservation in 2008 and an advanced certificate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2011.
Roger Butterbaugh, Founder
White Grass Heritage Project
rlbutterbaugh@gmail.com
Roger Butterbaugh, Ph.D. was the first Seasonal Volunteer Caretaker at the White Grass Ranch beginning in 2011. Before accepting this position, he asked the former Director of the Western Center for Historic Preservation, Craig Struble, “What does the Caretaker at White Grass do?” He replied, ‘”We don’t know, we’ve never had one before. We want you to come and help us figure it out.” Thus, began Roger’s work at the ranch to help complete rehabilitation of ranch buildings, and establish a process to accept resident volunteers in 2012, and historic preservation trainees in 2014. In 2013, Roger spearheaded the establishment of the White Grass Heritage Project. The Project’s Collection houses over 2,700 historic photos, over 70 hours of recorded oral history and numerous audio-visuals that tell the White Grass Story from 1913 to the present. Roger remains forever grateful to work in partnership with the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum to make many parts of the White Grass Heritage Project Collection accessible on the Internet. Before retirement in 2011, Roger was a licensed marriage and family therapist in Kentucky.
Samantha Ford, Research Historian
Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum
samantha@jacksonholehistory.org
Samantha Ford grew up in the rolling Green Mountains of Vermont, surrounded by classic New England scenery and history. In December 2013, Sam graduated with a M.S. in Historic Preservation from the University of Vermont. Sam is most interested in preserving community heritage through saving and interpreting historic buildings, structures, and sites. Inspired by Jackson Hole’s unique and rich history, she first worked with JHHSM during the summer of 2013. Her work for JHHSM sends her across the valley, documenting the hidden and well-known ranches and historic sites. Her work has focused on area families, cemeteries, dude ranches, and land use history. Currently, Sam splits her time between Jackson Hole and Vermont. In Vermont, she teaches college undergraduates and adults how to “read” the landscape and interpret the cultural clues (stone walls, cellar holes, and other oddities) left behind in Vermont forests. Whether in the West or East, Sam’s primary goal is to educate others about the importance of preserving historic resources. She hopes to inspire others to enjoy these structures and spaces as much as she does.
