Nora Purdy grew up on a farm outside of Hermann, Missouri, established by a great-grandfather who built the house Nora lived in as well as barns and other buildings on the 59-acre property. Nora holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a focus in music from Southeast Missouri State University, and previously worked at Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia and Ellis Library on the University of Missouri’s Columbia campus. Nora joined the State Historical Society of Missouri’s staff in December 2021.