From August 17, 1998 to March 30, 2018, I was employed by the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies (CEPS), the only scientific research department within the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum (NASM).
When I was hired, I was 23 yrs old. I had a degree in Geology, lots of prior museum experience, and a can-do attitude.
Working at a Smithsonian museum was a dream come true, but working on the National Mall in D.C., surrounded by National Monuments and other Smithsonian museums, was the cherry on top.
I saw the ad for the job posted on a geoscience job listserv, and while I would have preferred a Natural History museum, putting any Smithsonian museum on my resume was just too good an opportunity to pass up. I applied for the job, did a phone interview, and got it.
The project I was originally hired for was a 6-month gig, but my supervisor was so impressed with my work that she offered to keep me on after the project was finished. And keep me on, she did.
Research at CEPS focused mainly on planetary science, with most of the department’s researchers participating on NASA planetary mission teams.
Now, I was kept on to assist with CEPS research, exhibits, and public programs, so I maintained databases of scholarly material, maintained exhibits, designed graphics and print materials, and helped manage special events.
I really loved my work and amassed a nice work portfolio in the process.
My supervisor was also curator of the lunar samples and when she was out of town, I then became the de facto curator of the lunar samples. When a new display stand was being built for the lunar touch rock, she let me hold the lunar touch rock in my hands when it was taken off the floor. I am one of the very few people to have handled that specific rock. And yes, I did just boast that I held a rock in my hands. :o)
Watching the Exhibits Production team build new exhibits was a special treat, especially during my early years when text was still being silk screened onto walls by hand.
During my time there, I met a famous astronaut, as well as CEPS founder Dr. Farouk El-Baz – the man who taught the Apollo astronauts how to collect rocks on the Moon.
I was also blessed to have been friends with co-worker Gregory KH Bryant – artist and author. I miss him very much.
What I don’t miss is the “Family of the Sun”. I cringe thinking about it. Once upon a time, a song use to play in the Exploring the Planets gallery called “The Family of the Sun”. Sung to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”, this song was on a loop and while the kids loved it, it became a cursed earworm to the poor staff, like me, that had to work in that gallery. Eventually, the song was retired from the gallery. But it was later uploaded on to youtube and will probably never go away.
Of course, nothing last forever. A series of unfortunate events led to the elimination of my position in early 2018. That hurt, a lot. And due to the museum’s Revitalization, the NASM I knew no longer exists. The galleries I worked on for years are long gone. That hurts even more.
It’s bittersweet, but at least I can watch “Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian” and “Wonder Woman 1984” when I want to reminisce.
-Jen, aka. “Power Chair Dorothy”
Not in Kansas Anymore 