William Woodrow “Bill” Gwaltney is a seventh generation native of Washington, D.C. Descended from African American soldiers, sailors, farmers and teachers, Gwaltney, his brother and cousins were all educated in parochial schools from Kindergarten through High School. Gwaltney later attended Marietta College in Ohio and the University of Maryland at College Park.

Gwaltney began working in his teen-aged years and only retired recently, having worked for nearly four decades in turn for the National Park Service across the nation, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Nation’s Capital, and for the American Battle Monuments Commission serving overseas American Military Cemeteries with offices in Paris, France.

Long engaged in African American history, Gwaltney has served as:

·     Park Interpreter;

·     Park Ranger;

·     Gallery Guide;

·     Museum Technician;

·     Museum Curator;

·     Chief Ranger;

·     Law Enforcement Officer;

·     Wild Land Fire Fighter;

·     Emergency Medical Technician;

·     Diversity Educator;

·     Recruiter;

·     Park Superintendent;

·     Interpretive Designer and Trainer;

·     Chief Naturalist;

·     Assistant Regional Director, and:

·     One of the founders of Company “B” of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry ((1988) who came together to act as extras and technical assistants for the Civil War motion picture, “Glory.”)

While with the National Park Service, he developed a number of Diversity outreach and recruiting programs, created several museum exhibits focusing on African American History and designed and led a full blown, week-long 19th Century Cavalry “Camp of Instruction” at Fort Laramie NHS in Wyoming.

Trained in multiple disciplines during his time with the Federal Government, he is the recipient of numerous citations and awards for acts ranging from excellence in Interpretation to saving a life in an emergency.

Now officially retired, Gwaltney has served on a number of national Boards of Directors and is a Faculty/Mentor with the University of Missouri at St. Louis, where he is engaged teaching online in an Ed.D. Program, called Heritage Leadership, which focuses on the intersection of Education, Social Justice, Community Leadership, and Heritage Commemoration.