Lindsay, Marketing Manager
July 17, 2015
Our staff is always asked about our backgrounds and why we ended up working for the Driehaus Museum. So we wanted to share some of our amazing team with everyone. And, as always, let us know if you have any other questions.
First name?
Lindsay
What is your title and what role does your position play at the Driehaus Museum?
Marketing Manager – I handle the advertising, marketing, social media, PR, as well as the website for the Museum.
Where are you from/where do you currently reside?
I grew up in a tiny town outside of Houston, Texas. In 2006, my wife and I moved to Chicago sight unseen and fell in love with the Lakeview area. We decided to try out downtown living in 2013, moved to the South Loop, and have enjoyed being able to walk to/from anything happening in the city such as the Pritzker Pavilion, Art Institute, Lollapalooza, Jazz Fest, etc.
What is your education/experience background? How or why did you come to work at the Driehaus Museum?
I have a BFA in Graphic Design & Advertising, as well as minors in both English and Art History from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. My dream was to work in an art museum, and tried on many occasions to get a job at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Each time I was told to start lower – interning, volunteering, or taking a small job such as in the store.
When we moved to Chicago, the job I was transferring with fell through once we got into the city which caused me to start a hunt for something new. A position opened up as a supervisor in the store at The Field Museum and I easily got the job with my extensive retail background. It only took about 6 months until I was promoted to the back office area helping out the buyers. I stayed with the Field for over 8 years, holding several different positions, lastly in the Communications department. During my time at the Field, I went back to school and earned a Masters of Arts in Museum Studies, as I had finally decided that this was the career for me.
I decided I missed my art history roots, began searching out art museums in the city and happened upon the Driehaus Museum. After reading about how new (in the museum world) it was and how the Museum was started thanks to Mr. Driehaus, I was shocked that more people in the city didn’t know about it. And I wanted to tell everyone. So when the position for the Marketing Manager came up I knew I had to jump on it so I could tell everyone about this hidden treasure of a museum!
If you were a staff member of the Nickerson Mansion at the turn of the century, what role would you have and why?
Most likely the cook since I love cooking and entertaining for others.
If you were trapped in the Museum overnight, what would you do?
If it was possible, I would light the fireplace in the Front Parlor, pull the sofa from the Drawing Room into the Parlor, bring in a bottle of wine, and read by fire light in the mansion as the city bustles about outside.
What is your favorite movie? Book?
Favorite movie is Jurassic Park. Favorite book is a tie between Orlando by Virginia Woolf, The Princess Bride and any of the Harry Potter books (though Goblet of Fire has always held a special place in my heart).
What is your favorite holiday/program or event at the Museum?
The Summer Servants tour. I have never experienced a living history tour until coming to the Driehaus Museum. It is a engaging and educational way to learn about the Nickerson family, the house, as well as the Gilded Age.
What is your dream job?
Ever since I was little I wanted to be a paleontologist – but then I discovered you had to be decent at math, which is my worst subject. So if they took that part out and just let me dig in the dirt all day I would be a happy camper.
Tell us about one of your favorite moments during your time working at the Museum?
The day we announced the Downton Abbey exhibition to the public was so much fun. Watching the press and social media grabbing onto to the news and being so excited about it made me smile. Not to mention the amount of messages from my own friends wanting to come see it. Sorry guys! You have to wait until October to purchase tickets just like everyone else! I cannot wait to see this exhibition in person when it’s installed inside the mansion. It’s going to be very elegant and so enjoyable for fans of the show, myself included.