Native Nevadan returns to head state museum in Carson City

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - A native Nevadan who made his first trip to the state museum in Carson City when he was 2-years-old before going on to work at the Chicago History Museum and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is coming home.

Myron Freedman, who has been the executive director of the Palo Alto History Museum in California the last three years, started his new job Monday as head of the Nevada State Museum.

"For years, I produced experiences for visitors, and now to bring all that back here to the very first museum I ever visited, there's just something poetic about that," he said. "Like a marvelous journey."

Freedman caught an acting bug as a child, and later studied theater at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he first began to appreciate the ties between drama and history.

He landed a role in the Chicago Shakespeare Company in the 1980s and got his first job at the Chicago History Museum because the acting company's scene designer was helping develop new exhibits. Within two years, he was the installation manager and by 1994, the director of exhibit designs.

"I quickly learned that the missions had a lot in common, because they're both about communicating ideas. They just use different mediums to do it," Freedman said.

He added: "To me, a gallery was like a stage or a canvas. I was thrilled to show up to work every day."

Freedman later worked as the exhibits curator at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Gateway Arch) in St. Louis, where he also worked as director of exhibitions and special projects at the Missouri History Museum.

He replaces Jim Barmore, who retired as director of the Nevada museum last July.

"Myron's experienced leadership and innovative approach to guiding and growing cultural heritage organizations make him perfectly suited to guide the Nevada State Museum as it moves forward into its 76th year of service," said Peter Barton, administrator for the Nevada Division of Museums & History.