YVPeople: Katherine “Kat” Jackson

In her wildest dreams, Australian born and raised Kat Jackson never imagined NC would be her forever home. “I am so happy to have found this place,” she said. Tucked away in the mountains this area is a perfect setting for Kat and her husband to put down roots. “It was so exciting to see snow for the first time!” she gushed.

Kat is passionate about history and has touched upon various historical aspects in her studies. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, a research university in Melbourne, Australia. Kat also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian from Hunter College in New York. For her internship in International Relations, she was assigned to the Women’s Education Project in New York City, where she met her husband, Bruce, a NC native from Lexington.

When she and Bruce married and moved to WinstonSalem, she began volunteering at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. Her knowledge and expertise soon earned her a paid position as the Collections and Administrative Assistant. When I met Kat, she was working the front desk, wel-

Yadkin • Valley PEOPLE

MEET KATHERINE “KAT” JACKSON Collections and Administrative Assistant Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History

WRITER/PHOTO Cindy Martin

coming visitors, collecting admission, and explaining what wonderful exhibits the museum had to offer. Everyone was mesmerized by her accent. “You aren’t from here,” they would observe. “I love the way you talk.” In addition to tending the front, Kat is one of the writers of the weekly history column in the local paper. She also handles membership drives and is part of the social media team. She is responsible for generating flyers and creating the graphics for museum events. For Kat and her colleagues, there is never a dull moment. The entire staff at the museum works as a team when it comes to setting up new exhibits or doing whatever is needed to make the museum run like a well-oiled machine. “I firmly believe everyone should visit the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History,” Kat proclaimed. “There’s so much to see, learn and experience.”

In her “spare” time, Kat loves to read. Right now, she’s focusing on the classics. Robinson Crusoe is her current book of choice. “I am also teaching myself to embroider,” she told me. “I really enjoy creating those tiny flowers with the delicate stitches.” Recently, Kat and Bruce purchased a house in King. With three dogs and a grumpy cat named Steve (Bruce says she spoils him), they’re enjoying living happily ever after. Traveling from the Land of Oz to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kat feels right at home.