(Posted November 15, 2016)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Scott Stephenson, director of collections and heritage at the Museum of the American Revolution, in Philadelphia, Pa., will speak at Juniata College on “The First Oval Office: Researching, Restoring and presenting George Washington’s Mobile Field Headquarters” at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, in Room 402 in Good Hall.

            The lecture is free and open to the public.

            Stephenson, a 1987 graduate of Juniata, has been director of the soon-to-be-open museum since 2007.  The museum is scheduled to open at a site near Philadelphia’s Independence Square in April 2017.

            Stephenson in his talk will discuss how the center used interdisciplinary research and design to install and provide educational materials for George Washington’s original Revolutionary War Field Headquarters tent.

            He also will talk about what it takes to open a new museum, including fundraising and amassing a historical collection. In addition he will talk about a donation from Juniata College, a Muslim medallion, found by students enrolled in the Archaeology Field Course during an archaeological dig at Fort Shirley in Huntingdon County.

            Stephenson has been seen on television in a variety of news programs and cultural specials. Stephenson has appeared on the “CBS Evening News” showing correspondent Anthony Mason an intricately carved powder horn, and several local and national newscasts. He also has a recurring role in the TLC show “Who Do You Think You Are?,” which traces the genealogy of celebrities. He as worked with Rob Lowe, Valerie Bertinelli, Angie Harmon and Scott Foley on episodes that covered their roots in the Revolution.

            He earned a doctoral degree in history from the University of Virginia and worked at the Heinz History Center from 2001 to 2007.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.