National Park Service Taps Catherine Bragaw to Lead Abraham Lincoln National Historical Park

Contacts:

Saudia Muwwakkil, NPS Southeast Region, 404-507-5612
Stacy Humphreys, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, 270-358-3137, ext 108

Atlanta - Today, National Park Service (NPS) Southeast Regional Director Robert A. Vogel announced his selection of Catherine Bragaw as the new superintendent for Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, effective November 10.

"Catherine is a strong organizational leader with substantial experience in park operations," said Vogel. "Her passion for political science, public history, and civic engagement will give her an edge in managing how the park interprets the humble beginnings of a transformative American leader."

"I am honored to join the park team and partners at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park," Bragaw said. "This revered and hallowed place, once set in the Kentucky frontier, inspires and challenges us to explore the life and times of a man who profoundly changed our nation and gives us hope for the future. I look forward to collaborating with park colleagues, volunteers, partners and the community to broaden the park's visitor base by enhancing access and making the Lincoln Birthplace the best it can be."

Bragaw began her thirty-five year career with the National Park Service as a volunteer at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, where she became a park ranger responsible for managing and implementing education, interpretive and living history programs. Her passion for serving the local community led to the creation of long-lasting partnerships with local schools, health care providers and civic groups.

In 2013, she began working as the East District interpretive supervisory ranger at the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historic Park in Maryland. Bragaw oversaw interpretive operations, including a historic mule-drawn canal boat program and the creation of new curriculum-based education programming for K-12 audiences. She was promoted to chief of interpretation, education and volunteers of the park two years later, with responsibility for the day-to-day interpretive, education and volunteer operations, directly impacting the experience of more than 5 million visitors annually.

Bragaw also recently completed an acting superintendent assignment at Women's Rights and Harriet Tubman National Historical Parks, which are co-managed in New York.

Bragaw was born in the Washington, D.C. area and reared in Frederick County, Maryland where she also earned her undergraduate degree in political science with an emphasis in American studies at Hood College. She received a graduate degree in educational leadership from West Virginia University.

Bragaw will soon relocate to Kentucky from here current residence in Ranson, West Virginia. She has a large family that includes a dog and cat, six children, 7 grandchildren and a partner.