Lauren Burnham, MPA

Biography

Lauren Burnham can pinpoint the moment she fell in love with history on her fourth-grade field trip to a local historic house museum. That tiny spark grew into a career specializing in small and mid-size museums. She currently serves as the assistant director at the American Swedish Historical Museum (ASHM) in South Philadelphia.

Burnham spent the first half of her career specializing in museum education, community programming, and volunteer development. Her work in early childhood education focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion opportunities for underserved Pre-K students by partnering with Philadelphia School District Head Start. Lauren created the ASHM - My 1st Museum program series to assist with building early learning skills, while helping children experience world cultures. She continues to encourage a love of cultural learning in people of all ages to foster a sense of global citizenship.

After earning a master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Delaware in Newark, Burnham has transitioned her knowledge and accumulated experience to a love of nonprofit administration. The best thing about working at small institutions is getting to wear many hats. On any given day, she writes, strategizes, develops local and international partnerships, organizes the ABBA Dance party and other events, coordinates with small businesses, creates new membership initiatives, or arranges for sheep to visit the museum. Burnham also enjoys mentoring emerging museum professionals and those considering entering the field.

Experience

Burnham has more than 20 years of experience working at various historical museums and living history sites in the Delaware Valley, including the 

• Delaware Historical Society, Wilmington; 

• Newlin Grist Mill, Glen MIlls; 

• Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, Wilmington; and 

• Valley Forge National Historical Park and Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau collaboration.