For Kaitlin Shaw, joining the Sheridan Community Land Trust feels like coming full circle.

A lifelong Sheridan County resident, Shaw spent much of her childhood exploring SCLT trails and visiting historic sites. Those early experiences left a lasting impression. Now, stepping into her role as SCLT’s new History and Outreach Assistant, she sees it as a chance to give something back.

“I spent a lot of time on SCLT-maintained trails and historic sites as a kid,” Shaw said. “When I heard about the job opening, it felt like an opportunity to pay it forward to the next kid.”

Shaw brings a natural curiosity to the role. A self-described lover of learning, she has always been drawn to history’s details and stories, the kind that bring the past into focus in meaningful ways. That curiosity will be put to work as she helps research, develop, and share local history with the community.

She is especially interested in the homesteading chapter of Western history and is eager to dive into projects like the Stone House (also known as the Peters House), where SCLT recently secured a historic preservation easement. As part of her work, Shaw will be conducting interviews and gathering oral histories to help preserve those connections for future generations.

Kaitlin Shaw demonstrates fiber arts during an SCLT Young Explorers program at Shiloh Valley Family Farm, part of a collaboration with Science Kids. Experiences like these helped shape her approach to sharing history in ways that are clear, engaging, and meaningful for younger audiences.

Her experience working with youth also shapes how she approaches outreach. Through SCLT’s Young Explorers program, a collaboration with Science Kids hosted at her family’s Shiloh Valley Family Farm, she helped introduce kids to agriculture, animal husbandry, and fiber arts.

“It was rewarding to see how excited kids were to learn,” she said. “It really pushed me to present information in a way that was clear and interesting.”

Looking ahead, Shaw is excited to explore new ways of connecting people to land and history. One idea she is beginning to develop is an “Iron Riders” geocaching project, which would offer an interactive way for people to engage with local history alongside SCLT’s existing tours.

Outside of work, Shaw enjoys downhill skiing, fibercrafts, and baking, pursuits that reflect the same hands-on curiosity she brings to her role.

As she gets started, Shaw’s focus is simple: help tell the stories of this place in a way that connects people to it. For those who grew up here, and for those just discovering it, she hopes to create the same sense of connection she experienced as a kid on the trail or a historical site.

Have an idea for a local history story Kaitlin can help tell? Reach out at Kaitlin@SheridanCLT.org or call the SCLT Office at (307) 673-4702.