Delaware Historical Society Names New Director of Mitchell Center

August 20, 2019 – The Delaware Historical Society (DHS) has selected an expert in African American and Native American history as the next director of the Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, located within the Delaware History Museum.

Stephanie Lampkin, who most recently served as the Museum Collections Manager at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia, has worked as an historian and museum professional for more than eight years, formerly serving as an educator and Curatorial Assistant at the George Read House & Gardens, which is owned by the DHS. She begins her post in late April.

“On behalf of the board and staff of the Delaware Historical Society and the advisory of the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, I am delighted to bring a person with Dr. Lampkin’s skills, expertise, and experience to be the Director of the Center for African American Heritage,” said Dr. David Young, DHS Executive Director. “We conducted a wide search and spoke with many promising candidates, but Dr. Lampkin’s scholarship and familiarity with Delaware’s diverse history makes her the ideal choice to continue the Center’s work to bring African American history to wider recognition and educational impact.”

Ms. Lampkin holds a B.A. in History & Ethnic Studies from Cornell College, and a master’s degree with a Museum Studies certificate, and Ph.D. from the University of Delaware. As an history instructor at the University of Delaware she designed a class website for students to access numerous sources on early history of Africa, China and India.

She served as Chair of the Conference Committee for the Small Museum Association’s 2019 annual conference, was involved with the American Alliance of Museum’s (AAM) Advocacy Day and the Philadelphia Cultural Alliance’s #SaveTheArts advocacy campaigns.
Volunteer activities by Ms. Lampkin include serving on the Collections and Exhibitions Committee at the African American Museum of Philadelphia and as a board member for the Association for Registrars and Collections Specialists.

Ms. Lampkin said what attracted her to working at the Mitchell center most is the opportunity to engage with the community that is the focus of the center.

“I am eager to engage with members of the local community and make the rich and varied African American experiences and stories front and center in the history of Delaware,” she said.  “As director of the Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage, I look forward to continue offering engaging programs and events while developing deeper partnerships with colleagues across the state.”