New Face Joins Heritage Sandy Springs

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After a competitive national search, Heritage Sandy Springs has chosen Melissa Swindell to serve as its director of historic resources and education programs.

Swindell most recently served as curator of the Andrew County Museum and Historical Society in Savannah, Missouri, a position she has held since 2013.

Prior to joining the museum in Missouri, Swindell’s experience served as a research associate and a Goldman Sachs fellow with the Smithsonian Institution: National Museum of American History (NMAH) Office of Curatorial Affairs.

At Heritage Sandy Springs, Swindell will be responsible for all programming and exhibitions out of the Heritage Sandy Springs Museum, and developing a robust calendar of educational outreach and curriculum-based programs for children and adults.

With a diverse experience in museums and cultural institutions, Swindell brings a firm foundation in public history outreach and a new level of expertise and professionalism to Heritage Sandy Springs.

“We were very fortunate to find Melissa,“ said Heritage Sandy Springs Executive Director Carol Thompson. “Her curatorial and scholarly achievements, combined with her skills in exhibition development, curriculum development and collections management will help build new educational and programming initiatives at Heritage Sandy Springs.”

Swindell received a master of arts degree in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University, another master’s degree in American studies from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgia State University.

A native of the Atlanta area, she started her new role last month.

Photo: Melissa Swindell. Credit: Heritage Sandy Springs