Melanie Adams Explained

Melanie Adams
Nationality:American
Occupation:Museum director
Organization:Anacostia Community Museum
Alma Mater:University of Virginia
University of Vermont
University of Missouri–St. Louis

Melanie Adams (born 1969) is an American educator and museum administrator. She is director of the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C., a unit of the Smithsonian Institution, and was named interim director of the yet-to-open Smithsonian American Women's History Museum in July 2023.[1]

Early life and education

Melanie A. Adams was born in 1969, the daughter of a teacher and a librarian, and she grew up in East Hanover, New Jersey.[2] [3]

Adams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and African-American studies from the University of Virginia.[4] She went on to earn a Master of Education degree from the University of Vermont and a doctorate degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.[5] Her 2014 doctoral dissertation was titled "Advocating for Educational Equity: African American Citizens' Councils in St. Louis, Missouri from 1864 to 1927".[6]

Professional career

Adams began her career in higher education working in student affairs at the University of California-Berkeley and California State University-Northridge.[7]

Adams moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1997 after being offered a position in student affairs at Washington University. From 2002 to 2003, Adams served as the executive director for the St. Louis office of Teach for America. She worked as a consultant for community organizations until 2005, when she became managing director for community education and events at the Missouri History Museum; she worked for the Missouri Historical Society until 2016.[8]

She joined the Minnesota Historical Society as deputy director in 2016. She brought her community engagement efforts to create a community outreach department to build relationships with local communities in each of the Society's 26 historic sites and museums.

Adams became director of the Anacostia Community Museum in August 2019, aspiring to create more community-based partnerships in that role.[9]

Professional leadership

She was appointed to the St. Louis Public Schools Special Administrative Board in 2007, working with the community to regain accreditation for the district.[10] She served in that role for nine years.

She served as president of the Association of Midwest Museums from 2014 to 2016.

Adams is currently a member of the board of directors for the American Association for State and Local History.

Notable awards

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: Director of New Women's History Museum Withdraws, Citing Family Issues. Jacobs. Julia. 5 Jul 2023. Washington Post.
  2. Web site: Adams, Melanie A, 1969- . Library of Congress Authorities . 10 November 2019.
  3. News: Peterson . Deb . History Museum director relishes role with St. Louis Public Schools . 10 November 2019 . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . 20 December 2009.
  4. News: McGlone . Peggy . Minnesota Historical Society deputy chosen to lead Anacostia Museum . 10 November 2019 . Washington Post . 23 May 2019.
  5. Web site: Melanie Adams Appointed Director of Anacostia Museum . Smithsonian Institution Archives . 10 November 2019 . 23 May 2019.
  6. News: Morrison . David . Alumna Melanie Adams brings UMSL experience to new role as director of Anacostia museum . 10 November 2019 . UMSL Daily . 24 June 2019.
  7. Web site: Faculty . University of Minnesota Master of Science in Historic Preservation . 10 November 2019.
  8. News: Crouch . Elisa . Melanie Adams resigns from St. Louis district's Special Administrative Board . 10 November 2019 . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . 22 August 2016.
  9. News: Kaplan . Joshua . New Anacostia Community Museum Director Melanie Adams Talks About the Institution's Place in a Changing City . 10 November 2019 . Washington City Paper.
  10. News: McNeir . D. Kevin . Melanie Adams Assumes the Helm at Anacostia Community Museum . 10 November 2019 . Washington Informer . 2 October 2019.