Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society Introduces New Curator of Exhibitions

The Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society introduced its new Curator of Exhibitions to community leaders, historians, and museum visitors on Thursday evening at the Sigal Museum. Brittany Schrum, an artist and exhibit designer, brings with her more than six years of experience, working on a variety of exhibit projects in the Philadelphia area.

A graduate of the Tyler School of Art at Temple University with a BA in Art History & Religion, and an MFA in Museum Exhibition Planning & Design from the University of the Arts, Schrum most recently worked as the visual arts coordinator at the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia. There she developed and designed exhibits, did project management, and cared for the collection and archives, all with the goal of creating experiences which help visitors contextualize the objects and stories presented to them.

It was her experience at the Betsy Ross House that inspired her passion to work in the historical and genealogical museum setting. Shrum said “I whole heartedly believe these institutions are the key to building a globally literate community.

“As we plan our celebration of the Sigal Museum’s 5^th birthday, we feel like we’ve given ourselves and the community a very special gift! After reviewing the experience and work lives of dozens of wonderful curators from across the country, Andria Zaia, the society’s collection curator and I were fortunate to discover Brittany and welcome her as the Curator of Exhibitions for our museums. Brittany is an artist, an exhibit designer, a story-teller, and a warm and personable ambassador for the society and its collections. We are so pleased to entice her to our community, and to see her expertise and creativity translated to attractive and vibrantexhibits,” said Barbara Kowitz, executive director of NCHGS.

Shrum, who began her work at the Sigal Museum on June 1, is already busy working on her first exhibit, “Here Come the Brides,” which will be opening on October 10, assisting with exhibit panels and staging of the Mixsell House & Textile Museum for its grand re-opening on Heritage Day, and launching an art exhibit of regional artists in the Sigal Museum Art Gallery opening July 1.

“The Sigal Museum is a jewel in downtown Easton.”, said Lee Grifo, community leader and advocate for culture and the arts. “Brittany will bring new and exciting exhibits to the museum, making more people aware of this treasure in their community.”

About the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society

The Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society was established in 1906 and continues to serve Northampton County PA and researchers throughout the world, by preserving, showcasing, exhibiting, and interpreting its more than 60,000 collection items. The Society maintains four locations in Easton, PA – the Mixsell House Museum at 4^th and Ferry Streets, the Jacob Nicholas House Museum at 5^th & Ferry Streets, the 1753 Bachmann Publick House at 2^nd & Northampton Streets, and the Sigal Museum at 342 Northampton Street. The Jane S. Moyer Library for Local & Genealogical Research is located at the Sigal Museum.

The four historical houses and museums of NCHGS give visitors the opportunity to discover and explore the people and lifestyles of our past. Tours, programs, and events bring the art, culture, and history of Northampton County to life.