PRESS RELEASE

The National Museum of Surveying announces that William Snyder has been selected for the position of Director of the Museum. William comes to us from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and assumes his duties for the National Museum of Surveying on January 7, 2008.

William’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Architecture from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Fine Arts in Museum Studies from Southern Illinois University.

After spending 4 years in the field of Architecture in the late ‘80's, William found his true calling in the Museum field. He has held numerous positions at several museums including the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati, the Louisville Science Center, and the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron. While working on his Master’s Degree he was Assistant Curator of Collections, Assistant Development Officer, and Curator of Exhibits at the University Museum at Southern Illinois University. With the opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, he assumed the duties of Assistant Director of Museum Programs and Registrar and was very quickly promoted to Director of Museum Programs and Senior Curator.

With this diverse background William is the ideal person to lead the National Museum of Surveying through its formative years and into the future. When asked why he desired the position with the surveying museum, he responded that besides being the director of the Museum, the idea of starting at the beginning was exciting, intriguing, and challenging. He impressed the selection committee with his enthusiasm and his first thoughts on what the Museum could become.

William is active and recognized professionally as evidenced by membership in several professional associations and various awards of excellence including the American Association of State and Local History Award of Excellence awarded in 2006, the Illinois Association of Museums Award of Excellence awarded in 2004, and the same award in 2003. He has been honored to serve as a judge or juror at several schools and non-profit events related to art and historical events. He has also been a construction volunteer for Habitat for Humanity over the last 20 years.

The selection committee of the national Museum of Surveying is excited about William joining us and anticipates that he will lead us thru and beyond the opening of one of the finest small museums in the country. His goal of leading us through accreditation matches our dreams perfectly.