Melanie A. Adams

Melanie A. Adams is the interim director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. The museum advances the understanding of women’s contributions to various fields throughout history that have influenced the direction of the United States.

Adams has more than 25 years of community-engagement experience in museums and higher education. She came to the Smithsonian in 2018 as the director of the Anacostia Community Museum, where she has temporarily left her post. She also previously served as interim director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum from July 2023 to June 2024. Adams guided the museum’s early efforts of collaboration with other museums and educational institutions to expand scholarly research, public programs, digital content and collections in recognition of women’s history.

Prior to joining the Smithsonian, beginning in 2016, Adams was the deputy director for learning initiatives at the Minnesota Historical Society. She led efforts at the society to develop strategic partnerships, audiences and resources within local communities and managed 26 historic sites and museums throughout Minnesota. During her tenure, she created the community outreach department to provide partnerships and programs outside the museum walls.  

Adams was the managing director of the Missouri Historical Society for 11 years (2005–2016) where she oversaw more than 700 St. Louis community programs annually, including events with more than 100 community partners. Her work focused on addressing the cultural and social concerns of the St. Louis community.

Adams was president of the Association of Midwest Museums from 2014 to 2016, and she currently serves on the council of the American Association for State and Local History. As a facilitator of workshops on topics related to museums and race, she helps professionals understand barriers to connecting with diverse audiences.

Her past work has focused on racial inequality in education. Appointed by the St. Louis mayor in 2007 to the Special Administrative Board of St. Louis Public Schools, she worked for nine years with students, staff and the public to help the district regain accreditation. Adams has received numerous accolades for her community work; she was named a St. Louis NAACP 100 Community Leader in 2009 and the Royal Vagabonds Foundation Extraordinary St. Louis Trailblazer in 2014. 

Adams holds a bachelor’s degree in English/African-American studies from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in education from the University of Vermont and a doctorate from the University of Missouri St. Louis in educational leadership and policy studies.

 

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SI-194-2025