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On Oct. 1, Kathryn Marley Gourley received a distinguished alumni award from Iowa State University. The award announcement included mentioning her graduate research at Iowa State where her thesis examined the displacement of the Meskwaki and Sauk people during Iowa's territorial period. She remains active with Meskwaki of Tama and recently spoke at the Tribal Center Gym, on Meskwaki history during the 1830’s and 1840’s.
Gourley has spent her career protecting and preserving Iowa's rich historical and archaeological heritage. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees in anthropology from Iowa State University, she built a distinguished career in archaeology, historic preservation and public history.
Early in her career, Gourley worked in archaeology and historic preservation for engineering firms, government agencies and as a private consultant. Her graduate research at Iowa State examined the displacement of the Meskwaki and Sauk people during Iowa's territorial period, reflecting a lifelong interest in understanding and preserving the stories that shaped the state.
For more than 30 years, Gourley served the State Historical Society of Iowa in a variety of leadership roles, including staff archaeologist, field historian, grants manager, education and outreach manager and review and compliance coordinator. Through these positions, she worked with communities across the state to protect historic resources and expand public appreciation for Iowa history.
Even in retirement, Gourley remains an active advocate for historic preservation. Among her most meaningful accomplishments was helping secure a $1 million Save America's Treasures grant that supported restoration efforts at Fort Atkinson, a project completed in 2024. In recognition of her contributions to the field, she received the Iowa Archeological Society's Keyes-Orr Award for Outstanding Service to Iowa Archaeology in 2021.
A lifelong Iowan with deep Iowa State roots, Gourley grew up in Ames, where her father served on the university's agricultural engineering faculty. She and her husband, Chris, an Iowa State graduate and retired Iowa Public Television producer, enjoy traveling, researching family history and exploring back roads and scenic destinations with fellow members of the Iowa British Car Club in their 1960 Austin Healey 3000.