National Museum of Civil War Medicine Artifact Discussion

Get an inside look at what it’s like to be a collections manager at a museum.

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the door that has a sign that says, “Staff Only?” Well, here is your chance to discover what museum staff really do behind that door as it relates to collection stewardship. Come learn about the nature of the work, the tools of the trade and view some historic objects up close and personal. You will also receive some resource material in case you want to explore the subject further. We look forward to seeing you there.

Karen Whitehair has worked in the museum field for almost thirty years focusing on collections stewardship within organizations ranging from the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution to several history-based museums in the Greater Washington, DC area. Karen received her BA in History from the University of Colorado/Boulder, her MA in American History from Yale University and a certificate in Museum Studies from the George Washington University Museum Studies Program. She has been actively involved within the museum field throughout her career, serving as an American Alliance of Museums MAP Peer Reviewer, presenting at conferences and writing about the work she does for publications such as American Spirit, AASLH’s History News, and Collections: A Newsletter 2 Journal for Museum and Archive Professionals. One of Karen’s favorite activities is to share what she has learned during her career with others.