Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Bliss.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Like many young adults, I did not know what I wanted to be when “I grew up,” and so after a year and a half of college, I dropped out and moved halfway across the country to work two part-time jobs. I decided this was not the career path for me and went back to school. After going through the entire academic programs catalog, I decided to take courses in several fields, including forensics, criminal justice, interior design, and historic preservation. I enjoyed the historic preservation class and determined that I would pursue the field.
While I loved living on the east coast, wanting to be close to family brought me back to the midwest, where I finished my degree in historic preservation at Southeast Missouri State University. While completing my coursework, I did an internship at the Eugene Field House and St. Louis Toy Museum. A few months later, the director called me back to see if I would like a part-time job. I accepted the position and since worked my way up to full-time, became the assistant director, assisted in a museum expansion capital campaign, and as of March of 2018, became the executive director of the Field House Museum.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The most significant bumps in the road for me were those when I started college. The expectation of figuring out what career path you should take for the rest of your life, all while living on your own for the first time, learning how to have adult relationships, and trying to figure out who you are, can be overwhelming for an 18-year-old. However, going through all that did help me form a path to figuring out my true passions!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Field House Museum is a historic house and museum located just south of Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. As the executive director with a staff of 3, I have many roles within the Museum. Along with administrative duties, I also oversee the creation of exhibits, implementation of the programs, and cultivation of development. I am most proud of the fact that since stepping into the director role, we’ve created new partnerships with local organizations, a Speaker Series that has brought in guests to talk on history and culture, and thought-provoking exhibits. St. Louis has such a rich history, and I want to ensure everyone knows about it!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think the characteristic that has helped me succeed so far is being malleable. Being open to change shows us that the path we are going down might not actually be the one we should take. I think listening to a recommendation from a coworker or a comment on a suggestion card helps us understand each other a little better, and although they aren’t always implemented, helps us create something better.
Pricing:
- Adult Museum Admission: $10
- Child Museum Admission: $5.00
- Under 6 Museum Admission: Free
Contact Info:
- Email: info@fieldhousemuseum.org
- Website: fieldhousemuseum.org
- Instagram: fieldhousemuseum
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FieldHouseMuseum
- Twitter: @FldHouseMuseum
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJs7abCxYsAl3EQsO3jCJog
Image Credits
Field House Museum
