Elliot Archer (he/him/his) is a disabled, transgender public historian with a profound commitment to disability justice, education and programming, marketing and communications, as well as grant-writing and development. In May 2024, he completed his Master of Arts in History at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, specializing in Museums, Heritage, and Public History, under the mentorship of Dr. Lara Kelland. Elliot earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Tarleton State University in December 2021, having been advised by Ted Roberts and Dr. Jensen Branscombe. His exit project consists of a zine titled More Than Access: Understanding Disability Justice in the Context of Museums, which addresses disability justice in the museum sector.
Archer possesses a diverse and extensive background, demonstrating his involvement in K-12 education, museums and cultural institutions, as well as nonprofit organizations. He has amassed 80 hours of professional development specifically within high school classroom environments, where he has instructed a range of subjects including Human Geography, AP U.S. History, and World History to students from the 9th to the 12th grade. Furthermore, he served at the National Blues Museum from May 2022 to May 2023. During this tenure, he acquired invaluable experience in various areas such as marketing and social media management, museum education and outreach, federal and state grant writing and prospecting, as well as admissions and front desk procedures, exhibit installation and deinstallation, and private event management.
He is currently involved in volunteer initiatives with several reputable organizations, including the Alliance for Texas History (ATxH), the Challenging History Initiative, the Contemporary Art Museum, the National Council on Public History, Tenth Life Cat Rescue, the Regional Arts Commission, the St. Louis Arts Chamber of Commerce, UMSL National History Day, and the Gateway Arch National Park/Gateway Arch Park Foundation. His contributions encompass a variety of roles, including learning and engagement, grant writing and compliance, museum and visitor services, exhibit evaluation, as well as event planning and research.
Elliot aspires to pioneer in the field of education and the interpretation of disability history within history museums or the National Park Service (NPS). His fervent advocacy revolves around championing the cause of disabled visitors and staff members in these institutions, with a focus on positioning them as active co-creators of their own narratives and experiences, rather than mere participants or spectators.
Elliot Thomas Archer 