Melissa Bryson is new 1881 Courthouse Museum director

By: 
Nathan Steele

The 1881 Courthouse Museum has a new director after hiring Melissa Bryson earlier this spring. Bryson hails from the Jersey Shore and earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Rutgers University. She knows the history of that region well, especially as it pertains to the 18th century and the Revolutionary War, but is looking foward to learning more about Custer’s history.
Bryson has also lived in Philadelphia where she worked for the National Constitution Center and the National Museum of American Jewish History, but has also worked with  the National Museum of Bermuda and New Jersey Historical Societies.
Time spent on social media isn’t always wasted time as Bryson proves. Bryson runs a history account on Instagram and follows many of the local history organizations, which is how she discovered the opening for the position.
“I think that preserving history and the humanities is super important,” said Bryson.
Bryson and her husband moved to the area last spring and live in Sturgis, where her husband works.
“I was interested in finding a job that was in my field and I finally did,” said Bryson. “It was a big culture shock coming here. I love the laidback lifestyle.”
The bigger shock however, was the weather. Bryson says they were prepared for snowfall continuing into May, but the summer hail storms were harder to come to terms with.
As the new museum director, Bryson has some big goals.
“What I really would like to do is try to get more local engagement and to help preserve local history,” said Bryson. “It’s really important to know that it’s not just larger museums and insitutions that  hold history. You can find just as much, if not more, in  your local community.”
One of Bryson’s priorites is to “preserve the past and bring the voices of those who are not as relevent or prominent as some historical figures to the front,” said Bryson.
Because much of her expertise lies in 18th century history, she’s looking forward to learning for about the 19th century, which brought the first permanent settlers to the area.
“I’m really looking forward to learning more about local history and how this area became so important in the gold rush and just the wild west,” said Bryson.
Bryson is also excited about the oppotunity to potentially bring an intern to the museum as well.
“I think that it’s also really important to see more female historians, especially in a male-dominated profession. I’d like to see young girls think ‘I can be a historian too,’” she said.
“We’re excited to have Melissa. We think we have a real winner here,” said Brock Hoagland, president of the Custer County Historical Society.

 

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