As the director of a non-profit museum, president of the Friends of the BC Archives, and an adjunct professor of BC history, Kelly Black has gained a unique perspective on the highs and lows of practicing public history in British Columbia. In his presentation to the recent BCHF conference, Dr. Black highlights some of his adventures in public history work over the last few years and describe the impact that waning government support is having on access, labour, and understanding about the past.

Black is the executive director at Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens in Victoria. Kelly has more than a decade of experience in heritage, museums, and non-profit management and he received his PhD in Canadian Studies from Carleton University in 2018. Kelly is also an adjunct professor in the Department of History at Vancouver Island University and current president of the Friends of the BC Archives. He lives with his wife and son in the Cowichan Valley.