Alexandra Nasharr preserves Central Florida history through museum curation

Alexandra Nasharr, a Curator & Collections Specialist with the Osceola County Historical Society, is being recognized for work that blends fine arts, museum studies and community storytelling. Her role centers on preserving Central Florida’s history through collections care, exhibitions and public education.

Why it matters: - Nasharr’s work helps preserve local history and make it accessible through exhibits, research, and education. - Her role shows how museums can connect objects, stories, and community identity. - Her recognition from Influential Women spotlights a museum career path built on collections care and public engagement.

What happened: - Alexandra Nasharr was recognized by Influential Women for her work as Curator & Collections Specialist with the Osceola County Historical Society. - Nasharr works in Kissimmee, Florida, where she focuses on preserving, interpreting, and sharing Central Florida history. - The profile highlights her background in fine arts, museum studies, and community-focused storytelling. - More information is available through Alexandra Nasharr’s Influential Women profile.

The details: - Nasharr earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2012. - She spent seven years working in commercial and nonprofit art galleries in Chicago. - Her gallery work included exhibition preparation, visitor engagement, visual presentation, and interpretation of artistic works. - After the COVID-19 pandemic, Nasharr returned to school for a master’s degree in Museum Studies at Western Illinois University in Moline, Illinois. - She served as a graduate assistant for two years during her graduate studies. - Nasharr has spent two years with Osceola History. - She manages a collection that spans the mid-1800s through the 1930s. - The collection includes Seminole artifacts, historic photographs, family documents, agricultural tools, and other materials tied to Central Florida communities. - Her work includes exhibition curation, blog and editorial writing, public presentations, and interpretive work at Pioneer Village. - Pioneer Village includes preserved historic structures that give visitors a direct connection to the area’s past. - Nasharr also works with a small archival team to turn research into public programming. - One of her notable projects was the sports exhibition “Out of the Park: Osceola County Sports.” - The exhibit covered local athletic history from youth and high school sports to professional organizations such as the Astros.

Between the lines: - Nasharr’s career path reflects a broader museum trend: skills from galleries, archives, and education can transfer across cultural institutions. - Her emphasis on materiality and visual storytelling shows how fine arts training can shape historical interpretation. - Her work with schoolchildren, veterans, families, and community groups suggests museums are competing to be more than display spaces. - Her focus on local families, sports, and historic structures points to a curatorial approach rooted in everyday community history, not just major events. - Nasharr credits mentorship, especially from Dr. Heidi Lung and Angela McCallaghan, as a key part of her professional development. - She also cites the Florida Alliance of Museums, the Iowa Museum Association, Quad City Arts, Osceola Arts, and Main Street programs as important influences on her work.

What's next: - Nasharr said she wants to continue serving the field through possible involvement with a local historic preservation board. - She plans to keep building exhibitions and educational experiences that make history more approachable. - Her ongoing work at Osceola History will continue to center on collections care, interpretation, and community engagement.

The bottom line: - Alexandra Nasharr is using museum work to turn local artifacts into shared public history, with a career shaped by art, scholarship, and community connection.