What's Next? - Closing Session - Day 2 - Small Museums Summit

Sean Blinn is an independent museum professional based in New Jersey, with a practice focused on government relations, evaluation, and communication (including social media). His primary background is with historic house museums, where he uses stories of the past to help visitors understand the present. He enjoys showing how life has changed over time, including the social effects of technological change. He works to ensure that voices historically left out of narratives are represented in museums’ narratives and builds partnerships with libraries and other cultural institutions. He has served as a member of local government historic preservation, cultural, and zoning commissions. Prior to joining the museum field, he worked in the corporate sector, working on projects from writing and editing to leading software testing projects.

Julia Gray has worked in museums for more than 20 years, becoming the Wilson Museum’s executive director in September 2021. Her background in archaeology and anthropology drew her initially into roles in collections and exhibits at the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and the Abbe Museum. After leaving the Abbe Museum in 2017, she ran her own consulting business working with museums, land trusts, and other organizations across Maine. She is a graduate of Bowdoin College and the University of Arkansas.

Erik N. H. London is the Museum Services Curator for the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH). In this role, he consults with local historical organizations across the state, promoting national best practices and connecting local staff and volunteers with expertise at the ADAH and beyond. He received his M.A. and Public History Certification from Auburn University. He serves as a Peer Reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities, has been designated a MAP Peer Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums, and recently qualified to serve as a National Heritage Responder. He is currently chair of the American Association for State and Local History’s Small Museum Scholarship Subcommittee. 

Sara Phalen joined the West Chicago Museum staff in 2006 as a summer intern and continued with the museum in the roles of education coordinator and registrar. In 2013, Sara became the director/curator. She is also an active West Chicago community member, serving on the boards of the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, People Made Visible/Gallery 200,  and the West Chicago Historical Society. Additionally, she is a core team member of Healthy West Chicago and a Commissioner on the Cultural Arts Commission.

Bethany Hawkins was named Chief of Operations for AASLH in April 2016. She joined AASLH in 2005 in the role of Program Manager working primarily with the association’s continuing education programs, annual meeting, awards program, and affinity groups. Before joining AASLH, she worked as Director of Marketing for the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville and was Executive Director of the Sam Davis Home and Museum in Smyrna, TN. A life-long Tennessee resident, Bethany has both a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University.