Rebekah Oakes

Background

About Rebekah Oakes

I am currently the agency historian for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A passionate advocate of public service and nuanced historical interpretation, I seek to increase relevance and understanding of the past for all Americans. My experience in government service has highlighted the importance of comprehensive and continuing training for staff, robust digital outreach, and exhibits and programming that encourage dialogue between the public and practitioners. I am dedicated to inclusion, equity, and anti-racist action in public service. My past positions with the National Park Service include experience as the Chief of Interpretation at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, a public affairs specialist with the NPS's Region 1, and as an interpretive ranger and webmaster with Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. I have a history of establishing rapport and building relationships, solving problems and developing ways to effectively employ communications to achieve long-term goals. I am a proud alumna of Gettysburg College and West Virginia University, and hope to foster more collaboration between the academy and public history sites through my career.