By Katie Roxberry M.A. ’24, Museum Studies
Last summer The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum welcomed a new curator. Kasey Sease, Ph.D., arrived in August 2023, eager to oversee the museum’s Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection and design public exhibitions and programs on the District. A historian by training, Kasey brings a wealth of experience from positions with museums and research institutions, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum in Arlington, Va., the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Va., the Smithsonian Institution Archives and Colonial Williamsburg.
Stepping into her new role, Kasey first shepherded the installation of exhibitions curated by her predecessor, Jackie Streker. Co-written by GW graduate student Andrew Clark, Washingtonians at Work and Play and D.C. Fights for Freedom debuted January 13, 2024. Both shows foreground residents’ unique lives in the capital city, from everyday labor and leisure activities to historic participation in civil rights demonstrations.
Kasey also oversees the museum’s Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies — organizing public programs, hosting research visits and working closely with student employees. The center’s virtual D.C. Mondays programs continue as Kasey plans open houses and develops new offerings. GW professors across departments bring their classes to the center, incorporating students’ onsite collection research into their syllabi.
This academic year three GW student employees assist Kasey with exhibition research, collection care and special projects, like the center’s blog. “In such a competitive industry, it’s imperative to invite emerging museum professionals and scholars into rigorous, academic spaces and, with guidance, encourage them to lead projects,” Kasey explained of her students’ work at the center. “Sharing what I can to support the career journeys of my staff and other students is a priority.”
Beyond the university Kasey keeps up with the D.C. history scene as managing editor of Washington History magazine. Originally a historian of Virginia, she found herself studying the District as a doctoral student at the College of William and Mary. Her dissertation featured a case study on the Smithsonian Institution’s educational displays and accessible science publications, which Washingtonians have long enjoyed. “I’m always learning something new about D.C., and it’s exciting to connect audiences with both the Washingtoniana collection at GW and scholars’ research on the city in Washington History.”
About Katie Roxberry
Katie Roxberry has a B.A. in history and English and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in museum studies at the George Washington University. She enjoys researching and writing on historical objects while working as the digital media editor for the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies.
Header image: Kasey Sease, Curator, Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection. Photo by Kacey Chapman/the George Washington University.