Emily Nelms Chastain Rev. Emily Nelms Chastain is a doctoral student at the Boston University School of Theology, focusing on American Religious History, with specific concentrations on both Methodist studies and women’s inclusion in the Church. She graduated from Claremont School of Theology in 2019 with a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Religion, and from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2007 with a B.A. in History. She is an Ordained Deacon and full clergy member of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. Working at King's Chapel gives her the opportunity to connect her love of American Religious History to the community of Boston and to each visitor's own cultural history. She's an avid college football and basketball fan and follows her alma mater, the UAB Blazers, very closely. Since her arrival in Boston in 2020, she has also adopted the Boston Celtics as her home team. When she's not cheering on her favorite teams, you'll find her nose in some type of book, whether for academic purposes or for pleasure.
Avery Dubyk Avery Dubyk is currently a student at Tufts University, earning a Master’s degree in Art History and Museum Studies. Before moving to Boston, he studied art history and Italian at Virginia Tech. Avery’s passion for art, history, and the museum world started in childhood, as he grew up traveling with his family all over Europe and the East Coast, spending his school breaks soaking up the culture of wherever they visited. He is particularly passionate about American art, especially of the 19th century. In his free time, Avery enjoys reading, singing in the Somerville Community Chorus, seeing musicals, and playing D&D.
Remy Hatfield-Gardner An avid reader, and lifelong seeker of knowledge and truth, Rémy was deeply drawn to history at the moment of consciousness. With a passion for colonial, indigenous, and cultural studies, Rémy came to Boston to pursue a Master’s degree in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, completed in the summer of 2020. Previously, Rémy studied American Studies and Earth & Environmental Science at Wesleyan University, completing their degree in 2017. Over the last six years, Rémy has worked with organizations to uplift the perspectives of LGBT, TGNC, and BIPOC communities. Their intense study, in and outside of the classroom, of the history of social injustice within the United States inspires them to use public history as a catalyst for positive change in society. When they are not in deep thought about the state of the world, Rémy loves to cook, to inform others about fitness and nutrition, and enjoys watching and analyzing film.
Alex Hewes Alex Hewes recently graduated from Clark University in Worcester, MA with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in history. Alex focuses on nineteenth-century abolitionism and slavery, specifically the work of the infamous abolitionist John Brown. He also works as a tour guide at the Royall House & Slave Quarters Museum in Medford, MA. His desire to become a historian stems from his relation to Joseph Hewes, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, which piqued his curiosity about the past. Starting this fall, Alex enrolled in Louisiana State University's graduate certificate program in Archival Studies. Ultimately, he is working to enter a history doctoral program and become a professor. From a young age, Alex wanted to make history accessible and intriguing, helping people to realize there is more meaning to the past than memorizing names and dates. Having been born in the city, Alex sees himself as a proper Bostonian who, with a slight accent, is looking forward to sharing Boston’s rich history with visitors at King’s Chapel.
Lin Nulman Lin has a BA in English from Williams College, an MFA in Creative Writing, and most of a PhD in Literature. Her field is 18th-century writing and theater history, and she is happy to be learning the field of material culture from her work and colleagues at King's Chapel, because she's fascinated by people's relationships to objects, in life and on the stage. Lin enjoys writing for the History Program's website, and sharing the chapel’s objects and stories with visitors. Lin taught college writing for many years, and is a poet, freelancer, and blogger with sluggish thoughts about a book. She joined the History Program in 2018, serves as King's Chapel's verger, overseeing weekly concerts and services, and assists in the parish offices. Lin loves reading, the shore, learning local ecology, museums, detective fiction, and theater.
Rada Ruggles Rada Ruggles (They/Them) is a graduate student at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry where they are currently pursuing a Master of Divinity. They hope to work within ministry following their studies. Rada is an avid history nerd and grew up visiting various sites all over their hometown, Boston, and all over the world. Their favorite historical city was Paris, but Boston comes in a close second! They love to share their excitement of history with all who come through the chapel. Rada is also a recent graduate of Saint Michael's College in Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, American Studies, History, and Philosophy & Ethics. Rada’s interests are in religious history, social activism movements, and American history from the 1700s to the 1900s, with a focus on gender, race, and ethnicity. Outside of work and academics, Rada enjoys exploring, hiking, reading, and spending time with friends.
William Stilwell William Stilwell joined King's Chapel's team of History Educators in the fall of 2016. Will earned his B.A. in History from UMass Amherst, and has been working in historical interpretation in Boston since 2015. In addition to working at King's Chapel, he has also worked at the Old North Church & Historic Site, Fenway Park Tours, the Institute of Contemporary Art, and Boston African-American National Historic Park.
Emily Willis Emily Willis is a mortuary archaeologist, specializing in 19th-century New England burial practices with a focus on meaning, memory, and identity. Emily is currently in her fourth year of graduate school at the University of Massachusetts Boston, earning her Master's degree in Historical Archaeology. Her thesis analyzes how individual and collective identity is experienced and performed in everyday life, explored through the life of Susan Screech Austin (1808-1885), an ardent and devout Unitarian, social activist, and Boston Brahmin. Emily is a life-long lover of history and people, and is passionate about centering the stories and voices of historically marginalized folx. She is overjoyed and honored to join the History Program, and contribute to the important and meaningful work being done to tell the stories of King's Chapel and all its congregants.