National Museum of American History Adds Historian A. Scott Berg and Numismatic Expert Jeff Garrett to its Board

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has named Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author A. Scott Berg and founder and owner of Mid-Atlantic Rare Coin Galleries Jeff Garrett to its national advisory board. The Smithsonian’s Board of Regents approved the two candidates for three-year terms.

The museum’s board was established in 1996 and is chaired by the Honorable Nicholas Taubman, president of Mozart Investments and former ambassador to Romania. With the new additions, the board has 23 members, including historians, community business leaders, philanthropists and 18 alumni. Board members advise the director on programs, exhibitions, facilities, development and finance.

“The addition of two distinguished Americans to our board continues our goal of involving public and private sector leaders in the important work of this museum. We welcome the new members, and I am confident we will benefit from both their experience and expertise,” said John Gray, director of the museum.

The author of five bestselling biographies, Berg received the National Book Award for Max Perkins: Editor of Genius (1978), a Guggenheim Fellowship for Goldwyn: A Biography (1989), and the Pulitzer Prize for Lindbergh (1998); Kate Remembered (2003) became a number-one bestseller. His most recent book, Wilson, the life story of the nation’s 28th president, was published last September. Berg graduated from Princeton University in 1971 and currently serves on its board as a Charter Trustee. He lives in Los Angeles.

Garrett has been a longtime volunteer and advocate of the National Numismatic Collection. As a top expert in U.S. coinage, Garrett began as a partner with the Florida Coin Exchange from 1977 to eventually found Mid-American Rare Coins Galleries in 1984. He also co-owns the Sarasota Rare Coins Galleries. Garrett has co-authored a number of books, including Best Book award winner 100 Greatest United States Coins and Encyclopedia of United States Gold Coinage, which is based on the Smithsonian collection.  Garrett, who lives in Lexington, Ky., is currently Vice-President and a life member of the American Numismatic Association, a member of the American Numismatic Society, and member and past president of the Professional Numismatists Guild.

Through incomparable collections, rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the National Museum of American History explores the infinite richness and complexity of American history. The museum helps people understand the past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. It is currently renovating its West exhibition wing, developing galleries on business, democracy and culture. For more information, visit https://americanhistory.si.edu. The museum is located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. For Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

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Melinda Machado
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