Brent Glass
Encyclopedia
Brent D. Glass is Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian's
National Museum of American History
. A national leader in the preservation, interpretation and promotion of history, Glass is a public historian who pioneered influential oral history and material culture studies. He is an author, media presence—with appearances on Oprah and Colbert—and international speaker on cultural diplomacy and museum management. He writes on topics ranging from state-of-the-museum blogs to public memory, historic literacy, historic preservation, and industrial history.
Glass led the two-year, $85 million renovation of the National Museum of American History, completed in 2008, revitalizing public spaces and creating a new public square on the National Mall for citizenship naturalization ceremonies and other public events. Since 2002, he has overseen conservation of the Star-Spangled Banner, creation of major new exhibitions on transportation, maritime history, military history and first ladies' gowns, installation of nearly 50 other exhibitions and hundreds of online and public programs, and the Museum has raised more than $75 million from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Under Glass’ leadership, the National Museum of American History opened the popular permanent exhibitions, “America on the Move” in November 2003 and “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War” in November 2004, as well as a temporary display, “Treasures of American History,” while the museum was closed for renovations.
He testified before congress.
Glass is an active member of and consultant to the diplomatic, cultural, and academic communities, serving on many boards that work to generate enthusiasm for history among the general public. He serves as a Federal Commissioner of the U.S. Flight 93 Memorial Advisory Commission
and a member of the U.S. State Department Bilateral U.S. Russian Presidential Commission Working Group on Education, Culture, Sports and Media. http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/rs/usrussiabilat/c37331.htm. A frequent speaker and participant in public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy programs, he serves on the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Center Advisory Committee, the San Francisco Presidio Heritage Advisory Board, and as a trustee of Lafayette College
in Easton, Pennsylvania
. He has served as a Federal Commissioner of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and on the National Council of the American Association for State and Local History
.
Prior to joining the Smithsonian, from 1987-2002 he served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
, managing the largest and most comprehensive state history program in the country, with 25 historical sites and museums, including the State Archives and State Museum; the State Historic Preservation Office, public history programs, and historical publications. He was executive director of the North Carolina Humanities Council from 1983 to1987.
(1971), and bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College (1969). He writes on public history, public memory, historic literacy, historic preservation, industrial history and the history of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Among the items on display are the original Star-Spangled Banner and Archie Bunker's...
. A national leader in the preservation, interpretation and promotion of history, Glass is a public historian who pioneered influential oral history and material culture studies. He is an author, media presence—with appearances on Oprah and Colbert—and international speaker on cultural diplomacy and museum management. He writes on topics ranging from state-of-the-museum blogs to public memory, historic literacy, historic preservation, and industrial history.
Glass led the two-year, $85 million renovation of the National Museum of American History, completed in 2008, revitalizing public spaces and creating a new public square on the National Mall for citizenship naturalization ceremonies and other public events. Since 2002, he has overseen conservation of the Star-Spangled Banner, creation of major new exhibitions on transportation, maritime history, military history and first ladies' gowns, installation of nearly 50 other exhibitions and hundreds of online and public programs, and the Museum has raised more than $75 million from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Under Glass’ leadership, the National Museum of American History opened the popular permanent exhibitions, “America on the Move” in November 2003 and “The Price of Freedom: Americans at War” in November 2004, as well as a temporary display, “Treasures of American History,” while the museum was closed for renovations.
He testified before congress.
Glass is an active member of and consultant to the diplomatic, cultural, and academic communities, serving on many boards that work to generate enthusiasm for history among the general public. He serves as a Federal Commissioner of the U.S. Flight 93 Memorial Advisory Commission
Flight 93 National Memorial
The Flight 93 National Memorial is located at the site of the crash of United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked in the September 11 attacks, in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, about north of Shanksville, and southeast of Pittsburgh. The memorial was made to honor the passengers of Flight...
and a member of the U.S. State Department Bilateral U.S. Russian Presidential Commission Working Group on Education, Culture, Sports and Media. http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/rs/usrussiabilat/c37331.htm. A frequent speaker and participant in public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy programs, he serves on the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Center Advisory Committee, the San Francisco Presidio Heritage Advisory Board, and as a trustee of Lafayette College
Lafayette College
Lafayette College is a private coeducational liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, USA. The school, founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter,son of General Andrew Porter of Norristown and citizens of Easton, first began holding classes in 1832...
in Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton is a city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,800 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Northampton County....
. He has served as a Federal Commissioner of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and on the National Council of the American Association for State and Local History
American Association for State and Local History
The American Association for State and Local History is a non-profit association for state and local history, with a primary focus on museums and historical societies. It is headquartered in Nashville, TN, and has over 6,300 members...
.
Prior to joining the Smithsonian, from 1987-2002 he served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage...
, managing the largest and most comprehensive state history program in the country, with 25 historical sites and museums, including the State Archives and State Museum; the State Historic Preservation Office, public history programs, and historical publications. He was executive director of the North Carolina Humanities Council from 1983 to1987.
Life
A graduate of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government nonprofit executive leadership program, Glass earned his doctorate in history from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (1980), master’s degree in American Studies from New York UniversityNew York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(1971), and bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College (1969). He writes on public history, public memory, historic literacy, historic preservation, industrial history and the history of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Works
- "Foreword", African Americans in Pennsylvania: shifting historical perspectives, Authors Joe William Trotter, Eric Ledell Smith, Penn State Press, 1997, ISBN 9780271016870
- Badin, a town at the Narrows: an historical and architectural survey, Authors Brent D. Glass, Pat Dickinson, Stanly County Historic Properties Commission, 1982
- "A New South Pioneer", Discovering North Carolina: A Tar Heel Reader, Author Jack Claiborne, Editors William Price, UNC Press, 1993, ISBN 9780807844342
External links
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History
- American Dreamer; The Smithsonian History Museum's New Director Charts Our Brilliant Past (History News Network Article)
- "Brent D. Glass Director, National Museum of American History", Smithsonian Institution
- "Portrait Accepted - Brent Glass", Colbert Nation, October 16, 2008