Nearly everything I do is an effort to preserve history for future generations. I am passionate about documenting his story, her story, their story.
My 30 years of experience in the public history world includes 14 years at the James J. Hill Reference Library as the Associate Curator of the Hill Manuscript Collections. Presently I am a consultant involved with research, writing and archival projects for a variety of clients. I have published and lectured extensively on James J. and Mary Hill and their family as well as the early history of Saint Paul.
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in History, with minors in American Studies and Art History, and a Master of Liberal Studies from the University of Minnesota. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and am a Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society member.
My professional associations:
- Minnesota Historical Society – life member
- Friends of the James J. Hill House – life member
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Minnesota – instructor
Click here for my CV.
I live in the historic Cathedral Hill neighborhood of Saint Paul with my husband, Jim. When I am not writing or in the library at the Minnesota Historical Society researching, I enjoy reading, spending time with my children and grandchildren, and cheering on Rafael Nadal.
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Eileen R. McCormack 
Hello Ms. McCormack…I’ve been researching the history of The Great Northern Railway Historical Society which celebrated its 50th Anniversary last year. Your name was discovered in the official records as an expert in Great Northern history who would be assisting GNRHS in developing the Society’s Jackson Street Archive some 15 years ago.
My relationship with GNRHS goes back to the early 70s when I served as the first editor of the group’s publication and participated in its organization as a member of the first Board of Directors. In retirement I joined the Board again in 2018 and was elected President the next year.
I’m about to finish an account of those five decades which will describe how the Society developed and managed programs to fulfill its mission including an archive with a vast collection of GN materials. My research has revealed that a GNRHS Director who was also Treasurer led his Board colleagues to begin supporting the establishment of a companion archive on the West Coast about the time you were mentioned as a resource for the Society’s Jackson Street Archive in St. Paul. I would appreciate an opportunity to visit with you about your work at Jackson Street and if you were aware of the second archive initiative which became the Pacific Northwest Railway Archive in Seattle. I hope to hear from you soon.
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Hello! Please send me an email – mcceileen@gmail.com. I would be happy to chat with you. Thank you. – Eileen
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