Alex Trabold '23 Finds His Calling in the Archives
A Starr Center "Explore America" opportunity led to a vital role at the Maryland State Archives, connecting people to their past and solving historical puzzles.
Since graduating from Washington just two years ago, Alex Trabold '23 has swiftly carved out a well-established and growing career at the Maryland State Archives. These days Trabold spends his time helping others research the past but his journey to the Archive began well before he graduated. Leveraging practical experience and seizing opportunities as they presented themselves, his initial foray into the archival world was an internship at the Archives that he secured through the Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience's Explore America Summer Internship program, one of the most exciting and distinctive opportunities available to Washington students. The program matches students with full-time, fully paid summer internships at an array of leading cultural institutions and non-profits including the Brookings Institution, the Human Rights Campaign, the Library of Congress, the National Constitution Center, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and George Washington's Mount Vernon, among others. Trabold credits the experience with solidifying his career path as well as his choice of employer.
"I liked it enough to want to stay," he recalls, clearly impressed by the institution. This early exposure paid off, as he stepped into a full-time Archivist Trainee role shortly after receiving his diploma in May 2023. While his official title is Archivist Trainee, he primarily functions as a Reference Archivist he says, a testament to his immediate contribution and the trust placed in his abilities. Trabold is a vital part of the Archives' Search room operations where he mans the circulation desk, assists researchers, and manages paid record orders in addition to pulling and returning records for public and governmental use. It’s a dynamic job that keeps him engaged with the vast collections housed at the Archives. What truly resonates with Trabold is the opportunity to interact with the public and assist in active research.
Though he initially considered a career in historical research, he discovered a greater fulfillment in direct public service. One memorable example involved a phone request from a patron in Houston, Texas, who was tracing the lineage of their ancestor, Henry Gordon, an enslaved individual in Maryland during the 1780s.
“The patron's whole extended family could trace their lineage back to Henry, so they were having a genealogical get together in honor of their ancestor. They had already done a whole bunch of research on the enslaver that had sold their ancestor from Maryland, down south, but couldn't figure out where the enslaver had gotten Henry and his family from,” said Trabold. “A coworker and I spent a few hours searching 1700s wills and other probate records to see if we could find a link. We eventually found a will listing the person who the enslaver inherited Henry's grandmother from.”
Being able to assist with that kind of in-depth genealogical research showcases the profound impact Trabold's work has on individuals seeking to connect with their family histories. While he's also fielded "odder" requests - like inquiries about duels in Maryland that led him to consult local historical societies for anecdotal information, it's the personal stories like Henry Gordon's that truly make the hours of searching through files and documents worth it to Trabold.
He finds it incredibly rewarding when patrons leave happy, especially those who initially arrive frustrated. "Solving problems, it's a nice day," he said.
For those aspiring to enter the archival field, Trabold offers valuable advice. “I would definitely say that taking advantage of available opportunities is important. The archival field is competitive. The Maryland State Archives got over a hundred applicants the last time a position opened in the reference department," he said, noting it can be difficult to find open positions in the field. “A lot of institutions are looking for field experience when hiring. So, if you do get the opportunity to participate in an internship program or hear of a different way to get involved with community history or outreach, even if it's not exactly a part of the field you want to go into, you should at least think about it.”
This summer the Explore America program sent 26 Washington students to nationally renowned organizations, museums and institutions, including one new intern at the Maryland State Archives, continuing the partnership the College has with the MSA.
“The Explore America program advances Washington College's mission of civic engagement by helping students put the tools of their liberal arts education to work making positive change in the world beyond campus,” said Adam Goodheart, Hodson Trust-Griswold Director of the Starr Center. Since its inception in 2011, the Starr Center's Explore America program has awarded more than $1.3 million to 278 Washington College students, investing in their career paths outside the classroom through the connections, engagement, and experintial learning opportunities fostered by the program.
Looking ahead, Trabold plans to continue gaining valuable experience at the MSA before potentially pursuing a master's in library science, likely through the University of Maryland's online program. His long-term goal is to work at the New Jersey State Archives, strategically located near his family in Moorestown.
To find out more about past Washington College Maryland State Archives interns check out the stories of Felipe Tassara ‘25 and Mattie Gilliam ‘26.
- Dominique Ellis Falcon