Celebrating Women's History Month with Kate Pontbriand

Photo courtesy of  Rachel Tirrell.

Kate Pontbriand is a junior at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire working towards a BA in Anthropology, with minors in Public History and Environmental Studies. After graduation next May, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue her dream of becoming a professional archaeologist.

Kate was nine years old the first time she visited the Abbe Museum as part of a Girl Scout trip; learning about archaeology through the museum’s exhibits and hands on activities instilled an interest in archaeology that shaped her educational path. Nine years later she participated in the Abbe Museum’s Summer Field School at Tranquility Farm. From then on she was hooked on archaeology.
During her time at Franklin Pierce University, Kate has participated in numerous archaeological excavations throughout southern New Hampshire, and she is currently working on a publication about one of these sites. She is an active member of Franklin Pierce’s Anthropology Club, where she has held leadership roles as secretary and vice president. Next year, Kate will take over as president of the Anthropology Club.

In fall 2013, Kate studied abroad in Vienna, Austria and expanded her cultural horizons. Kate has spent her last four summers in Acadia National Park’s Cultural Resource Management Division as a Museum Assistant. Last summer she attended the Abbe’s Field School a second time and she hopes to use some of the site’s data for her undergraduate thesis. In Kate’s free time, she enjoys being outside skiing, hiking, or finding whatever other adventure the season permits.