Museum Announces Appointment of New Curatorial, Education Staff

PHILADELPHIA – November 3, 2014 – The Museum of the American Revolution today announced the hiring of two senior staff members to support exhibition and programming development. They are Dr. Philip Mead, Historian and Curator, and Mary Jane Taylor, Director of Learning and Engagement.

Mead, a specialist in the era of the American Revolution, has served as an advising historian for exhibition development in the Museum since 2011. He received his Ph.D. in American history from Harvard University in 2012, having completed his dissertation titled “’Melancholy Landscapes:’ Writing Warfare in the American Revolution.” From 2012-2014 he was a lecturer in the history department at Harvard University. He will assist Director of Collections and Interpretation Dr. R. Scott Stephenson in the creation of the Museum’s planned exhibits, media experiences, and public programs.

Taylor has more than 20 years of experience as a museum professional. She most recently served as Research & Evaluation Manager at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where she oversaw visitor studies about exhibitions, programming and marketing, Previously, she was responsible for on-site and outreach school tours, teacher training, family programming, summer history camps and exhibition interpretation at Winterthur Museum in Delaware. In her new role, Taylor will serve as a member of the curatorial team that is developing exhibits and programming for the new Museum of the American Revolution. She will create and manage the museum’s education and programming department, ensuring that it effectively fosters immersive, experiential learning about the American Revolution.

“We are thrilled to have individuals with this level of experience and expertise join our team,” said Museum President and CEO Michael Quinn. “Their knowledge, insight and creativity will heighten our ability to inspire and engage our visitors in the extraordinary story of the American Revolution.”

Construction for the Museum is now underway with an anticipated opening of early 2017.

About The Museum of the American Revolution:

The Museum of the American Revolution will tell the complete story of the American Revolution using its distinguished collection of objects, artifacts, artwork, and manuscripts. Permanent and special exhibition galleries, theaters, and large-scale tableaux will bring to life the original “greatest generation,” and engage people in the history and continuing relevance of the American Revolution. Construction is now underway for the new Museum that is being built steps away from Independence Hall, Carpenter’s Hall, Franklin Court, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution. It will serve as a portal to the nation’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context and encouraging explorations that begin at the Museum’s doorstep. The Museum is a private, non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call toll free, 877-740-1776.