Rachel Basan Porter is the Director of Research and Programming at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum where she is responsible for the strategic development of exhibitions and collections care, as well as special events and projects. Prior to her employment with the Museum, Rachel held multiple roles with the Florida Department of State. In 2008 she became senior archaeologist with the Bureau of Archaeological Research and went on to serve in the Secretary of State’s Office as the lead coordinator for the state’s 500 year anniversary commemoration, Viva Florida 500.
Rachel lived and studied internationally before moving to Tallahassee from London, England, where she is a naturalized citizen. She is also a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and an accomplished writer whose work was featured at the 2018 National Book Fair in Washington, D.C. She is a community advocate and a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee. She’ll be appearing as part of the Bicentennial Panel at this year’s Word of South and discussing the new book Florida’s Historic Capitol Building.