Welcome Reception at the South Carolina Historical Society

Our Executive Director, Elizabeth Gay and Director of Genealogy and Research, Renée Marshall, were guests of the South Carolina Historical Society at the welcome reception for their new CEO.

Dr. Faye Jensen and Dr. Elizabeth Chew provided remarks during the reception. Best wishes to Dr. Jensen and welcome Dr. Chew.

On Friday, January 19, Elizabeth and Renée enjoyed attending the welcome reception for historian, curator, and educator Dr. Elizabeth Chew, the new CEO of the South Carolina Historical Society (SCHS). The reception was held throughout the galleries of the Fireproof Building on Meeting Street and many in attendance were from fellow preservation, museum and library organizations. Dr. Chew succeeds Dr. Faye Jensen, who is retiring after her more than 17 years as leader of the organization.

We welcome Dr. Chew and look forward to future engagement with her and the tremendous team at SCHS.

Per the SCHS:

Raised in Augusta, Georgia, Chew received a BA in art history from Yale University, an MA from the University of London, and PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill. During her eight and a half years at Montpelier, Chew led teams of curators, historians, educators, interpreters, public program creators, archaeologists, and historic preservation experts in researching and interpreting James Madison and his family, his essential role in framing the U.S. Constitution and leading the nation, and the community of enslaved people who made Madison’s achievements possible. Chew worked closely with the Montpelier Descendants Committee, the organization that represents and is led by the descendants of those enslaved there, in achieving structural parity in the governance and operation of the site. Prior to joining Montpelier, Chew led the curatorial and education division at Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, NC. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Curator at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. During her thirteen-year tenure there, Chew was responsible for ongoing research and interpretation initiatives that wove together the Monticello house, its collections, the Jefferson family, and the enslaved community. Chew has also worked in curatorial positions at The Phillips Collection, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Elizabeth and Renée also had time to enjoy the Huguenot exhibit in the second floor gallery.