Rowena Houghton Dasch, Ph.D.
Executive Director, rhdasch@nchmuseum.org
Rowena Houghton Dasch has led the Neill-Cochran House Museum as Executive Director since the end of 2013. She holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in American Art from the University of Texas at Austin and an A.B. in Art and Archaeology from Princeton University. Her work at the NCHM encompasses all aspects of the Museum’s operations, the historic property’s preservation, and the creation and management of the Museum’s active schedule of rotating exhibitions. Dr. Dasch’s current work focuses on the site’s 2-story Slave Quarters, including her collaborative publication with Dr. Tara Dudley, Reckoning With the Past: Slavery, Segregation, and Gentrification in Austin (2021).
Karen Kincaid Brady, M.A., M.S.H.P.
Business and Programming Director, kkbrady@nchmuseum.org
Karen Kincaid Brady joined the Neill-Cochran House Museum after completing the Master of Science in Historic Preservation program at the University of Texas at Austin in 2019. Karen brings her passion for history and architecture to her role at the Neill-Cochran House Museum to develop exciting and new programming that allows the house to come alive for its visitors. Prior to joining the Neill-Cochran House, Karen worked as a Project Manager and Historic Preservation Lead at R&K Solutions, Inc. and as the Membership Coordinator at the Federal Bar Association. In addition to her MSHP, Karen also holds a B.A. and M.A. in History, and a Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In addition to working at the Neill-Cochran House, Karen continues to pursue her passion for history and education in another form as an Adjunct Lecturer at San Antonio College. Karen’s publication achievements include The Hangars on the Banks of the St. John’s River: The Landplane Hangar Historic District at NAS Jacksonville and “Monumental Reinterpretation.”
Image credit: Farid Zarrinabadi
Paul Cato, M.S.H.P.
Communications Manager, pcato@nchmuseum.org
Paul Cato handles communications and social media for the Neill-Cochran House Museum. Originally from Georgia, Paul received his B.A. in History from Emory University and his M.S. in Historic Preservation from the University of Texas in Austin. His passion for historic preservation began in Japan, where Paul worked with Chiiori Trust and Alliance to rehabilitate underused and abandoned traditional buildings as rental houses, restaurants, and other tourism facilities. Returning to the States, Paul completed his studies and worked for Preservation Texas, Wiss, Janney, Elstner, Inc., and John Garrett Design, before joining the Neill-Cochran House Museum in 2021.
Cristina Feldott
Development Officer, cfeldott@nchmuseum.org
Cristina Feldott joined the Neil-Cochran House Museum in 2024 as the Development Officer. She is a native Austinite with a love for old Austin and a Bachelor's of Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin. She has extensive development experience and has worked with countless nonprofits in Austin. She also enjoys working as a community organizer and is committed to promoting voluntarism. Contact Cristina any time to talk about ways to support the Neill-Cochran House Museum.
Gene E. Heard
Museum Facilities Manager
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Gene Heard has overseen all aspects of the historic and contemporary buildings at the Neill-Cochran House Museum since 2007. In addition to installing all of our exhibits, refinishing collection furnishings, and designing and building a new display in the 1855 dependency, he is the master of the five separate breaker boxes, the six air-conditioning units, the countless sets of keys, the multiple kitchens and bathrooms, as well as the landscaping crews, installations, and sprinkler system. In short, NCHM simply cannot function without his attention. Look for him here and at Chateau Bellevue, where he also oversees maintenance operations and leads guided tours.
Join Our Team!
Interested in an internship?
We are always looking for talented interns to join us for a summer or a semester. If you are interested in applying for an internship, please send a cover letter and resume to info@nchmuseum.org.