About the Bloggers

Photo of blogger Thomas Schwartz

Dr. Thomas F. Schwartz received the PhD in History/International Relations from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Schwartz worked in special collections at the Illinois State Historical Library, now the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, from 1985 to 2011. He was Illinois State Historian from 1993 to 2011 and Director of Research and Collections at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum from 2005 to 2011. He is currently the director of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum in West Branch, Iowa.

Photo of blogger Spencer HowardSpencer Howard is the archives technician for reference and research at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum. Prior to joining the Hoover Library in 2003, Howard directed the H. H. Bennett Glass Plate Negative Collection preservation project at the Wisconsin Historical Society. He began his archives career as a library resources technician under Mary Bennett at the State Historical Society of Iowa. In his spare time, Howard is a professional violinist and member of Orchestra Iowa. He has performed with many other ensembles including the Quad Cities Symphony, the Dubuque Symphony, the Iowa Arts Festival Orchestra, the Hot Springs Music Festival, and Mannheim Steamroller.

Photo of Kyle Perkins

Kyle Perkins is a former museum technician with a passion for history and a strong background in international studies. He is the exhibit specialist at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

After serving for over two years in Cairo, Egypt with the United States Army, he pursued his academic interests, earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a Master of Arts in History from Arizona State University.

His favorite work task revolves around researching President Hoover’s artifacts, delving into the intricate details of the past to gain insights into Hoover’s life accomplishments. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is an avid collector of antique maps, finding joy in preserving and appreciating cartographic history.

Additionally, he nurtures a deep fascination with the French and Indian War, continually studying and analyzing its impact on the shaping of North America and the world. When not immersed in historical research, Kyle finds solace in nature as an enthusiastic fisherman. Like former President Hoover, he embraces the tranquility of the outdoors, connecting with the world around him through the art of angling.

Photo of blogger Craig WrightCraig Wright has been an archivist at the Hoover Presidential Library since 2004. His responsibilities include: development of online access projects, overseeing digitization of archival materials, coordinating the cataloging of archival collections, and to provide reference service.

Craig has been an archivist for almost 25 years, and worked at six different archival repositories including the Minnesota Historical Society and the Henry Ford Health System. He received his education at the University of Michigan. He learned to program on a keypunch machine, search databases on the internet before there was a world wideweb, and currently wrestles with description for the digital age.

Photo of blogger Marcus EckhardtMarcus Eckhardt has been working in the curatorial department of the Hoover Presidential Library-Museum since 2005. He has experience working in history, science, and art museums as well as surviving teaching middle school history for four years. When not at the museum, he enjoys exploring the sky with his telescope and coaching his son’s soccer team.

Photo of blogger Melanie WierMelanie Wier is the Assistant Curator and Exhibition Specialist at the Herbert Hoover Presidential-Museum. Her background is in Studio Arts and Museum Studies. She began work at the museum in 2009 as a volunteer and was hired in 2011. Designing exhibits is what she enjoys most about her job!

One thought on “About the Bloggers

  1. I am interested in your opinion on a project I propose relating to the creation of a national monument as a tribute to all of our presidents. past and future. I call the proposal the “Pathway of Presidents.” The pathway will contain proportionally spaced life-sized presidential statues in accordance with their time in office as well as associated related items such as the various national flags and educational material. At this point, I am looking to bring the matter to the public’s attention and look to various institutions for guidance and interest. As a repository of President Hover legacy, as this project continues, I look forward to working with you in the future. Any comments are suggestions you would care to make would be appreciated.

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