SI Email Announcements, "Message from the Secretary: John Gray Named Director of the American History Museum, May 8, 2012."
Summary:
Marc Pachter is named Interim Director of the National Museum of American History (NMAH) following the retirement of then Director Brent Glass. Pachter retired from the Smithsonian Institution in 2007 after a thirty-three year career, mostly with the National Portrait Gallery.
On July 23, 2012, Pachter steps down when John L. Gray is named the new Director of NMAH. Under Pachter's tenure as Interim Director, the NMAH opened eight exhibitions, started new public programs and had record-breaking attendance. Pachter created small, temporary exhibits and children's play areas to enliven the visitor experience, and oversaw special projects, including experimental sound recordings of Alexander Graham Bell in partnership with the Library of Congress and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as well as the opening of the Warner Brothers Theater.
