Harrisburg, PA — Today, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) announced the appointment of Lauren Stark as the new Director of The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
In her new role, Stark will oversee all aspects of day-to-day operations, visitor services, and strategic planning at The State Museum. She takes the helm at a pivotal time, guiding the institution through a historic $79.73 million renovation while upholding the highest standards of interpretation, education, and preservation for the Commonwealth's heritage.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Stark to this vital leadership role," said Andrea Lowery, Executive Director of PHMC. "Lauren’s decade of dedicated service to the Commission, her exceptional leadership skills, and her deep commitment to preserving and sharing Pennsylvania’s rich, diverse history make her uniquely qualified to lead The State Museum. We are confident her expertise will successfully guide the museum through its transformative renovations and ensure that exhibits share the breadth of the commonwealth’s history in engaging and relevant ways that resonate with all audiences."
Stark is a seasoned museum professional with a wealth of experience within PHMC and on the national stage. Most recently serving as Director of Strategic Initiatives in the PHMC Executive Office, she has managed critical priorities, including the complex logistical relocation of over 16,500 artifacts and dozens of staff ahead of the museum's renovation. She also spearheaded the highly successful Lenape Symposium, a key agency initiative that brought together Tribal members from across the nation alongside numerous Pennsylvania cultural partners.
Her extensive background with the Commission includes tenures as PHMC’s Museum Registrar—where she led the implementation of the online collections portal for public access—and as a Curator for the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, supporting over 25 sites on the Pennsylvania Trails of History. Prior to joining PHMC, Stark held key collections, education, and digital initiatives roles at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and Dumbarton House in Washington, D.C.
Stark holds a Master of Arts in Museum Studies with a concentration in Exhibition Development from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Bucknell University.
Though she has called Pennsylvania home for more than a decade, her connections to the Commonwealth run deep. Her maternal grandparents were born, raised, and married in Wilkes-Barre, and her great-grandfather was an anthracite coal miner.
"Growing up in Western New Jersey, Pennsylvania was an important part of my childhood—from swim lessons at the Easton YMCA to bike rides along the Delaware Canal," noted Stark. "I was drawn to Pennsylvania for college, and now I am experiencing the joy of discovering Pennsylvania’s past through the eyes of my three children."
She currently resides in Mechanicsburg with her family.
About the State Museum of Pennsylvania
The State Museum of Pennsylvania is one of 23 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History.
Currently closed for $79.73 million dollar renovation project, the State Museum of Pennsylvania offers visitors a captivating journey through time. Located adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, the museum houses expansive natural and cultural history collections that illuminate Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in American history, the Colonial and Revolutionary eras, the Civil War, and the nation’s industrial age. The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America's story.
For more information about The State Museum of Pennsylvania, visit statemuseumpa.org or follow us on Facebook and X.
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Learn more by visiting PHMC online or following us on Facebook, X, Instagram or LinkedIn.