Members of the board at the museum are, front from left, Dan Gross, Sylvia Emery and Gary Williams; middle, Janet Chase-Williams, Nicole W. Little, Linda Parsons and Joanna Ransom; back, Keith Williams, Shona Medinas, Trevor Dixon, Tanya Hughes and Richard Westfall. Not pictured are Amanda Fane, Patty McGregor and Lois Martin.
When most people think of the Mariposa Museum & History Center, they picture historic artifacts, Gold Rush stories and the buildings that help tell the story of our county’s past.
While these collections are at the heart of what we do, they are only part of the story.
Behind every exhibit, school tour, research request, community event and preservation project is a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and board members committed to preserving Mariposa County’s history for future generations.
As museum director, I am excited to begin Museum Matters, a monthly column in the Mariposa Gazette that offers readers a look behind the scenes at the museum.
Each month, I’ll share updates on our collections, exhibits, educational programs, community partnerships, events and the people who help make our museum a vital community resource.
As museum director, I oversee the museum’s daily operations while working alongside our staff, board of directors, volunteers and community partners. My responsibilities include caring for our collections, developing exhibits and educational programs, guiding strategic planning, securing funding and building partnerships that strengthen the museum’s impact throughout Mariposa County.
Amanda Adams
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is connecting our community with its rich history and helping preserve it for future generations.
Our museum coordinator, Joanna Ransom, is truly our “jack of all trades.” From maintaining the museum grounds and assisting with building upkeep to setting up events, helping with research requests, caring for exhibits and overseeing many daily operations, Joanna wears many hats. Her dedication and versatility help keep the museum running smoothly every day.
Our education coordinator, Rosalie Thurston, inspires curiosity by developing educational programs, leading school tours and connecting students of all ages with Mariposa County’s history.
She also leads many of our community outreach efforts, builds partnerships with local organizations and serves as the museum’s primary coordinator for most of our events and fundraisers, helping strengthen the museum’s connection with our community.
Our museum services associate, Maggie Moffitt, is often one of the first friendly faces visitors meet. She assists with admissions, memberships, donations, our museum store and many of the daily tasks that create an exceptional visitor experience.
We are also fortunate to have an outstanding Student Docent Program. Savannah Oliver, Brandon Tillery and Ashlyn Appling welcome visitors, assist with educational programs and special events and gain valuable hands-on museum experience.
Aiden Mace is also a valued member of the program, focusing on data entry and special collections projects that help preserve, organize and improve access to the museum’s historical records and artifacts.
Together, these young leaders represent the next generation of museum professionals and stewards of Mariposa County’s history.
Supporting the staff is our volunteer board of directors, whose leadership provides governance, financial oversight and long-range planning to help ensure the museum continues to thrive.
Our current board of directors includes: President Janet Chase-Williams; First Vice President Richard Westfall; Second Vice President Nicole W. Little; Treasurer Keith Williams and Secretary Linda Parsons
Board members are Gary Williams, Sylvia Emery, Joanna Ransom, Patty McGregor, Amanda Fane, Lois Martin, Shona Medinas, Tanya Hughes, Dan Gross and Trevor Dixon.
We are grateful for each of their contributions and volunteer service. In future editions of Museum Matters, we’ll introduce our board members individually, sharing their backgrounds, what inspired them to serve and their vision for the museum.
The museum would not exist without the support of our volunteers, members, donors and community partners. Every visit, membership, donation and volunteer hour helps preserve Mariposa County’s unique history.
Whether you’ve lived in Mariposa your entire life or are discovering us for the first time, I invite you to stop by and say hello.
I look forward to sharing the museum’s stories — and the stories of our community — with you each month through Museum Matters.
Amanda Adams is the Museum Director of the Mariposa Museum & History Center, located at 5119 Jessie Street in historic downtown Mariposa, and can be reached at director@mariposamuseum.com.
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