| R. Scott Stephenson | |
| Office: | CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution |
| Term Start: | November 1, 2018 |
| Education: | Juniata College (BA) University of Virginia (MA, PhD) |
R. Scott Stephenson is an American historian and museum professional who has served as president and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia since 2018.[1] Stephenson previously served as the museum's first director of collections and interpretation from 2007 to 2018, during which time he oversaw the development of the museum's award-winning exhibitions, multimedia experiences, and educational programs as well the museum's collection.[2] Stephenson was on the team that raised $173 million to build and open the museum, surpassing the $150 million campaign goal.[3] Prior to that, he developed and collaborated on exhibits, films, and interpretive programs for a number of historical institutions including Colonial Williamsburg and the Smithsonian.
Stephenson holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in American history from the University of Virginia. He is a specialist in colonial and revolutionary American history and material culture with a background in visual storytelling. He received his bachelor's degree from Juniata College.[4]
Stephenson oversaw the creation of a traveling exhibit called "Clash of Empires" at the Heinz History Center to mark the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War. In 2006, he consulted on a four-hour PBS miniseries called The War that Made America, which dealt with the French and Indian War. He served as a consultant on The Last of the Mohicans (1992), Hostages of Two Worlds (2001), and Washington: Man and Myth (1999).[5] Stephenson has appeared as himself on episodes of the Emmy Award-winning genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? He has appeared on numerous C-SPAN programs.[6] In June 2019, he was interviewed in a segment about the museum on CBS News about telling a more inclusive, nuanced version of the American Revolution.[7] In 2017, Stephenson was part of the team, with Philip Mead, that discovered the only known period image of General George Washington's Revolutionary War tent in the field.[8]
In June 2023, Stephenson came under scrutiny for the Museum of the American Revolution's decision to hold space for a Moms for Liberty event. Thirty-nine of the museum's 112 staff members signed a petition opposing the event, which led to an internal museum-wide meeting where he ultimately declined to cancel it.[9] [10] The American Historical Association sent Stephenson an open letter, urging him as CEO to cancel the event.[11] [12] [13] Six state senators, including Nikil Saval, Vincent J. Hughes, and Anthony H. Williams, also sent an open letter to Stephenson, calling Moms for Liberty a "hate group" and urging him to cancel the event and "stay true to the museum's values."[14] [15] [16] However, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (F.I.R.E.) praised the museum under Stephenson's leadership for staying "faithful to its mission of strengthening democracy through dialogue."[17]
Stephenson is married to pediatric neurologist Donna Stephenson. They have two children and live in Chester County, Pennsylvania.[4]