Jerry Enzler was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Bethesda, Md. The son of a Dubuquer and the ninth child of 13, Enzler had a connection to the Key City that ultimately brought him back for the long haul. He graduated from Loras College in 1973 with a degree in accounting, but his passion for nonprofit work stemmed from a line of family before him with experience in education, libraries and other like organizations. This passion led him to the front door of the Mathias Ham House, which had opened in 1964. Starting out in a grant-funded role, Enzler became the Dubuque County Historical Society’s first full-time employee. He later earned an M.A. in Museum Studies at the Cooperstown Graduate Program in New York.
Enzler’s involvement with the Historical Society took a new path as he began his role as founding Director of the Steamboat William M. Black in 1980 and the Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum in 1982. Additions and improvements continued through the 1980s and 1990s.
In 2003, Enzler was instrumental in establishing what is now one of the nation’s premier river museums and riverfronts. He worked with a dynamic team including Bill Woodward, Wayne Norman, Teri Goodmann, and many others. The America’s River project was a $188 million development, and $57 million of that was the creation of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Dubuque turned a bold idea into a nationally recognized institution that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
The Museum has now become a cornerstone for river education, conservation, and storytelling, bringing to life the importance of the Mississippi River and America’s waterways. Enzler served as President until 2016 when he retired as Emeritus, but to this day, remains a dedicated supporter of the organization.
Throughout his career, Enzler has also been a committed philanthropic leader, championing education, conservation, and the arts. He has helped secure major funding for regional cultural institutions and served as a mentor and advocate for young professionals entering the museum and history fields.
A skilled historian and gifted storyteller, Enzler also played a critical role in the creation and growth of the National Rivers Hall of Fame. He has worked tirelessly to recognize underrepresented figures in river history, helping broaden the narrative to reflect the diversity and complexity of our nation’s waterways and those who depend on them.
In addition to his work as a museum leader, Enzler is a noted author and biographer, most notably of Jim Bridger: Trailblazer of the American West—a definitive and critically acclaimed biography of the legendary mountain man, river guide, and frontiersman. Through his writing, Enzler continues to educate the public on the historical significance of rivers and their explorers.