Archivist & Historian

Description

National Western | Denver, CO

We are National Western—an organization rooted in more than 120 years of history and driven by a mission to strengthen American agriculture through education, youth development, and community connection. We are stewards of the Western way of life, grounded in the values of courage, pride, integrity, grit, and loyalty. Each January, we bring this mission to life through the legendary National Western Stock Show—one of the world’s premier Western lifestyle, rodeo, and livestock entertainment events—welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests from across the globe.

Beyond the Stock Show, we operate The Legacy, a world-class, year-round destination for events, experiences, and cultural connection in the heart of Denver. We are more than an event—we are a brand that lives at the intersection of heritage and culture, shaping how Western lifestyle shows up in the modern world.

The National Western Stock Show Archivist & Historian serves as the steward of the organization's historical collections, records, memorabilia, photographs, documents, and artifacts. This position is responsible for preserving, organizing, interpreting, and promoting the rich history of the National Western Stock Show and the Western Stock Show Association. The Archivist & Historian collaborates closely with committee members, volunteers, donors, researchers, and the public to ensure the organization's legacy is accurately documented and shared through exhibits, presentations, and educational outreach.

• Acquire, catalog, organize, and preserve historical records, photographs, artifacts, memorabilia, publications, and digital collections related to the National Western Stock Show, the Western Stock Show Association, and the Denver Stockyards.
• Maintain accurate inventories and archival databases.
• Develop and implement archival standards, conservation practices, and collection policies.
• Assess, document, and recommend acquisitions, donations, and loans of historical materials.
• Coordinate storage, preservation, and digitization efforts to protect historical assets.

• Conduct research related to the history of the Western Stock Show Association, the National Western Stock Show and the related Denver stockyards, their events, participants, traditions, and impact.
• Respond to historical inquiries from staff, committee members, media, researchers, and the public.
• Develop written historical content for publications, exhibits, websites, newsletters, and special projects.
• Maintain and expand institutional knowledge and historical records.

• Prepare and deliver engaging presentations to community groups, organizations, schools, committees, and visitors on the history and legacy of the National Western Stock Show and the evolution of stock exhibitions and stockyards in Colorado and the surrounding region.
• Serve as a knowledgeable ambassador for the organization's history and heritage.
• Assist with historical tours, exhibits, celebrations, anniversaries, and commemorative events.
• Support educational programming and community engagement initiatives.

• Work closely with National Western Stock Show committees to identify, preserve, and document historical information.
• Attend committee meetings as needed to provide historical context and expertise.
• Collaborate with volunteers and historical contributors on collection projects and oral histories.
• Assist in identifying significant milestones and historical achievements for recognition and preservation.

• Field phone calls, emails, and walk-in…