Caroline Whyler
SACRAMENTO,CA
Summary
Dynamic museum professional with extensive experience curating captivating exhibits that educate and inspire. Proven track record in developing engaging displays while ensuring the preservation of historical artifacts. Expertise in research and exhibit design enhances the ability to create immersive experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Emergency Preparedness Consultant
Northeast Document Conservation Center
12.2022 - Current
- I have conducted 90 free site visits for California organizations stewarding cultural resources. I deliver recommendations for mitigating risks, taking emergency preparedness actions, and and at times help with the drafting and implementation of disaster plans, thereby providing my clients with tools to better protect their collections in an emergency, ensuring that California’s cultural heritage is preserved into the future.
- I conduct outreach research to try and get the project to previously unreached institutions.
- I attend and present at relevant conferences in an attempt to promote the project and emergency preparedness protocols and procedures.
- I follow up with organizations that did not complete the California Cultural Collections Protection Survey; identify local disaster response agencies and mutual aid networks; and assist with identifying organizations for site visits.
Artifacts and Exhibits Manager/Curator
The Vacaville Museum
08.2021 - 11.2022
- Using PastPerfect Software, I organized, maintained, and preserved the collections and inventories for the Vacaville Museum, and associated institutions, including the Harbison House, a local historic home. This included the cleaning of wood, marble, textiles, paper, and metal items. I oversaw the acquisitions, gifts, loans, and all associated registration tasks that came into the Museum.
- I researched, designed, and installed the exhibitions that went on display in our gallery. One exhibit of my research and design went up twice a year lasting from 4-9 months, and a smaller and shorter exhibit was coordinated with a co-curator that went in for the interim. The exhibitions centered on subject matter that was relevant to Solano County.
- I created budgets that met patron and board satisfaction but also fit within the monetary constraints of the institution.
- I managed and trained the team that helped create and install exhibits and handle artifacts. This task put me in charge of planning the team's schedules, assigning tasks, and ensuring resources were always available so they could do their work quickly and to the best of their ability.
Collections, Exhibitions, and Curatorial Assistant/Senior Park Aide – California State Parks
Statewide Museum Collections Center
10.2018 - 08.2021
- Using TMS, I catalogued, organized, and maintained collections and inventories of the Statewide Museum Collections Center, State Capitol Museum, and Leland Stanford Mansion. I also participated in multiple projects at the Capitol Museum, Leland Stanford Mansion, and State Collections Center with projects related to reorganizing, consolidating, and making accessible all aspects of the institutions’ paperwork and archival records.
- I conducted extensive research (on and offsite) and created exhibit narratives that accompanied other aspects of the State Capitol Museum’s exhibition design. In the process of our exhibit de-installation, and new exhibit installation, I assisted in the process of loan documents, lender documents, condition reports, and the removal, packing, handling, and return of exhibit objects and artifacts.
- I performed cleaning, preservation, and minor restoration duties in both exhibit and historic spaces for the State Capitol Museum and Leland Stanford Mansion. These duties ranged from basic vacuuming, glass cleaning, and pest control to more complex tasks such as recording environmental data loggers and maintaining carpets, paper, wood, tile, marble, etc. While caring for the historic spaces, we also look to identify damage or any other potential risks to the space. When issues present themselves, I look to prevent, mitigate, or resolve the problem by relying upon either my experience or research, therefore allowing for the continuation of our institution and its collection I have been tasked with developing multiple trainings for the volunteer association regarding the proper protocol and conduct in both the exhibit and historic spaces.
Education and Development Specialist
The Politismos Museum of Greek History
08.2016 - 10.2019
- I aided the director with editing of the institution’s magazine, and the design and creation of exhibits for both adult and child audiences. Another one of my duties was presenting educational programs to K-12 classrooms.
Tour Guide
California State Capitol Museum
08.2018 - 10.2018
- I produced tours for public, school, and VIP groups pertaining to the State Capitol Building and California history. This research allowed me to gain valuable skills in the interpretation of historic spaces.
- I monitored the rooms allowed for the continued protection of exhibit artifacts.
Intern
The Yolo County Historical Museum- Gibson House
01.2016 - 05.2016
- I helped in the daily running, and maintenance of a house museum, and aided an outside team in the appraisal, relevance, condition, and value of the museum’s collection.
Education
Master of Arts - Public History
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, CA05-2018
Master of Arts - History
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, CA05-2015
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA03-2013
Skills
- Exhibition planning
- Interpretive planning
- Research
- Cataloguing expertise
- Preservation techniques
- Collection management
- Museum collections
- Complex Problem-solving
Timeline
Emergency Preparedness Consultant
Northeast Document Conservation Center
12.2022 - Current
Artifacts and Exhibits Manager/Curator
The Vacaville Museum
08.2021 - 11.2022
Collections, Exhibitions, and Curatorial Assistant/Senior Park Aide – California State Parks
Statewide Museum Collections Center
10.2018 - 08.2021
Tour Guide
California State Capitol Museum
08.2018 - 10.2018
Education and Development Specialist
The Politismos Museum of Greek History
08.2016 - 10.2019
Intern
The Yolo County Historical Museum- Gibson House
01.2016 - 05.2016
Master of Arts - Public History
California State University, Sacramento
Master of Arts - History
California State University, Sacramento
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of California, Davis