Somerville Museum Leader Receives Statewide Rising Star Award

SOMERVILLE, MA — The Somerville Museum is celebrating one of its own after Historic Events Manager Anna-Celestrya Carr was named one of three recipients of the Massachusetts History Alliance's 2026 Rising Star Award.

The award recognizes public history professionals, students and volunteers with fewer than 10 years of experience who have demonstrated exceptional promise in researching, interpreting and increasing access to local and community history.

Carr joined the Somerville Museum in 2024 and has helped develop programs that connect history, culture and community engagement. Museum officials said a defining strength of her work is her ability to bring both the arts and her Indigenous perspective into public history, helping create a more accessible and equitable approach to interpretation.

A member of the Red River Métis Nation, Carr is a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, writer, dancer and speaker whose work has focused on storytelling, education and community engagement.

The Massachusetts History Alliance presents the Rising Star Award annually to emerging leaders in the public history field. This year's recipients were selected for their contributions to preserving and sharing local history across the Commonwealth.

Founded in 1925, the Somerville Museum serves as the city's primary historical and cultural institution. Through exhibitions, educational programming and community events, the museum works to preserve Somerville's history while highlighting the experiences of the people and communities that have shaped the city.

Before joining the museum, Carr built a career in the arts and media. She is a graduate of the Vancouver Film School and has worked as a filmmaker, public speaker and cultural educator. Her projects have explored Indigenous history, identity and storytelling, including films and community-based arts initiatives that have been shown internationally.

Carr has previously been recognized for her community work with the Sybil Shack Human Rights Youth Award and the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Public Awareness and Communications.

The Massachusetts History Alliance said the Rising Star Award honors individuals who represent the future of public history in Massachusetts, recognizing those who are finding new ways to connect communities with their past.

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