Brenna Geraghty

Virginia State Parks are my happy place. I was fortunate to grow up in a family that frequented our parks, and hiking, kayaking, and camping were favorite pastimes. When I got the opportunity to work at Chippokes State Park, it was a no-brainer. I get to spend every day doing what makes me happiest: managing a museum, researching the park’s history, talking to guests, and tending our garden.

I never expected to be one of those friendly faces in the green and tan uniform. I studied anthropology at Virginia Commonwealth University, fully expecting to join the ranks of field archaeologists. Instead, I ended up working in an amazing archaeology lab at VCU that specializes in 3D technology. When the grant money for that job dried up, my supervisor, Dr. Bernard Means, pointed me toward a position at Chippokes State Park.

The rest is history, and I love every second I spend at Chippokes. With a plantation that’s been around since 1619, there’s always something new to learn. My favorite part of my job is sharing new experiences with guests in our Cultural Garden, whether it’s giving a baby her first strawberry or letting kids pull a carrot from the ground.

At home, my joys are spending time with my three cats and my fiancée, Kevin, and renovating our 1910 farmhouse. Who knows, maybe I’ll start blogging about that one day too!