Melanie Wier, Assistant Curator at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, arrived in West Branch with an unexpected background: Studio Art. In fact, it was what she studied as an undergraduate, where her focus was on mixed media. Her unconventional background for a setting of historical education became an asset.
While in graduate school for Museum Studies, Melanie got a practicum position at the Museum and found she really enjoyed it. Soon after, a Curator retired, and she was hired in a contract position to complete exhibits. Having demonstrated her skill, she applied when the permanent position opened and was quickly hired.
Along with helping to take care of the collection, a major facet of her role is designing the exhibits. It’s the creative aspects with designing exhibits, along with researching topics, that gets her excited for her work. Before starting, a brainstorming session is held to decide on the topic of an exhibit. Typically, the topics selected have the most content available and would have the greatest appeal to visitors across age groups.
Reflecting on the current special exhibit, Hoover 150: A Birthday Celebration, Melanie said there was a lot of research that went into it. Much of the work involved reading through diaries and books that were written on the Hoovers and picking out the most personal details. Many times, it was finding something small like a single sentence and trying to piece these small discoveries together, which wasn’t an easy task. As Melanie put it, “They were very private people.”
“I like to make immersive spaces and force perspective when possible in the exhibits to help visitors have a better connection to the content they are viewing.” -Melanie Wier
As for the Hoovers, Melanie is a big fan of Lou Henry Hoover but appreciates the dynamic between her and Herbert. She likes that they did a lot of great things together and did so with a sense of harmony. They delighted in the simple joys in life.
Melanie expressed that her favorite spot on the Hoover Campus is the Tallgrass Prairie. When weather is conducive, she enjoys walking “the circle” on the edge of the 81-acre prairie, which is conveniently located just south of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum as part of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.
Like many of us, she is excited about the upcoming renovation of the Museum, especially the updated lighting and bigger lobby. This renovation will start in the first quarter of 2025 and be completed in the summer of 2026.
Hoover 150: A Birthday Celebration is the last special exhibit in the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum before the renovation. The last day to view the exhibit will be Sunday, January 5. The exhibit features items showcasing how the Hoovers celebrated their birthdays and includes some items that have never before been on public display.
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