The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs welcomes new staff members
Please join the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (HCA) in welcoming the newest staff members:
Joseph Cael (he/him) joined HCA in October 2024 as a museum sites interpreter at the Old State House and the Johnson Victrola Museum, where he provides tours and dives into research. Cael has been interested in history ever since he was a little kid growing up in the small fishing hamlet of Port Penn, where a 1830s rowhouse sits comfortably opposite a 1750s Georgian townhouse. That old town’s history definitely fostered an interest in a past far older then yesterday, and having deeply supportive parents who always fostered a love of learning, was a key inspiration to his current career path. Before joining HCA, Cael worked for the New Castle Historical Society and could often be found offering visitors tours of the town’s respective house museums. In his free time, he can often be found sequestered with a good book at home.
Bridget Frias joined HCA in October 2024 as a fiscal advisor and business services manager. Frias was born and raised in Delaware, and said her father’s dedication to his craft through his own small Delaware-based business motivated a career in accounting and business. Frias has a background in business and administration and accounting with supporting associate and bachelor’s degrees. While attending Johsnon & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, she met her husband. Frias enjoys downtime with family and also is an avid lover of puzzle books and playing board games with family.
Rhiannon Golt (she/her) joined HCA in October 2024 as a museum interpreter at the Zwaanendael Museum, where she introduces visitors to the museum and its exhibits, while also assisting with events and researching Delaware history. Working on a costume several years ago led her to learn about late Victorian period fashion, and now she gets to both study corsets and make them!
Samantha Hertel (she/her) joined HCA in July 2024 as a historic interpreter at Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, where her main responsibilities include document transcription, research and cataloging objects. Hertel has been interested in history since she was a little girl, but recent internship opportunities have helped show her how to use that passion for history professionally, to facilitate the historical interests of others. Hertel is pursuing a master’s degree in history and museum sciences from the University of Delaware (and is set to graduate in May 2025), and originally hails from Wisconsin. She has enjoyed immersing herself in the history of the First State, and looks forward to a (hopefully) long career in public history.
David Holsten (he/him) joined HCA in November 2024 as a historic site interpreter at the Old State House and the Johnson Victrola Museum. Holsten has had a lifelong interest in history of the Delaware Valley and his own personal ancestry – which has brought him to discover fascinating tales about his own family’s genealogy. He recently retired from WL Gore & Associates after 34 years, and in his free time collects early American decorative arts. Holsten is an active member of numerous historical organizations and serves as a board member with the Cecil Historical Trust in Maryland and Historic Trappe in Pennsylvania, where he also serves as a docent in the Dewees Tavern and the Henry Muhlenberg House.
Hannah Lewis (she/her) joined HCA at the end of July 2024 as an archaeologist for the State Historic Preservation Office. In this role, Lewis is responsible for reviewing Section 106 projects (governed by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966), as well as answering technical assistance questions and conducting archaeological education and outreach. Lewis has always had an interest in history and was introduced to historical fiction novels and the world of mythology at a young age. While studying abroad in England during college, Lewis decided to officially pursue archaeology professionally as well. A graduate school internship at a local living history museum near her hometown of Rockville, Maryland, led her to learn more about the importance of local history and archaeology, in this case related to the Chesapeake region in the 19th century and the Underground Railroad. Before joining HCA, Lewis served as the curator for the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, NY, and attended both undergraduate and graduate school programs in Upstate New York. In her freetime, Lewis enjoys playing video games, and cooking and experimenting with new recipes. (She also knows a lot about tea if anyone needs any recommendations.)
Brayden Moore (he/him) joined HCA in 2024 as an inclusive history researcher on HCA’s curation and design team in Dover, but also completed an undergraduate internship at HCA’s Zwaanendael Museum in Summer 2022. In his current role, Moore works on special projects pertaining to underrepresented history. So far his focus has been on the Nassau School 198-C, a preserved school building for African American students in Belltown from 1922-1965. He has been busy researching the building, its students and the surrounding community, with the ultimate goal of collecting information that could help inform future interpretation at the site. His work has also helped develop questions for the Nassau School Oral History Project, which is now underway and conducting interviews with former students. The impact of fantastic history educators helped connect Moore to a museum internship with Historic Lewes, which has had him hooked ever since they let him into the archives! Moore also is pursuing a master’s degree in history with a graduate certificate in museum studies at the University of Delaware.
Larren Piner (he/his) joined HCA’s physical plant maintenance department in December 2024, and has always had a love of trying to fix things. Following his work in refrigeration for a food service company, Piner now hopes to embrace that love of fixing things in this chapter of his career. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with friends and family and also playing pool.
Amanda Reyes (she/her) joined HCA in November 2024 as a site interpreter in Dover at the Old State House and Johnson Victrola Museum. As someone who enjoys visiting museums, Reyes also enjoys learning about and discussing history. The Maryland native also has a passion for animals, and graduated from law school in May 2024 with a focus on animal law.