Preservation Society of Newport Names Jones Director of Museum Affairs
GoLocalProv News Team
Preservation Society of Newport Names Jones Director of Museum Affairs
The Director of Museum Affairs oversees curatorial, conservation, collections management, exhibitions and academic programs such as lectures and the Newport Symposium.
“I am thrilled to be working at the Preservation Society. The Newport Mansions have long been a source of inspiration for me, from the perspective of both my personal and professional development. As a young, impressionable student of the history of decorative arts, I received a scholarship to attend the 2010 Newport Symposium. Since then, I have considered the institution an example of excellence as I have pursued many like-minded projects,” said Jones.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTShe added, “I look forward to using my experience with historic sites, preservation, collections, scholarship, programs, and visitor experience to benefit the Preservation Society’s unparalleled successes and bring new perspectives that achieve the institution’s full potential.”
Jones will begin her role on Wednesday, April 3.
“Leslie brings a well-rounded background to the Preservation Society. With her experience as an art curator, her decorative arts background, her skills in planning and installing exhibitions, and her training in the history of architecture, she is the perfect candidate to lead the Museum Affairs department and serve as Chief Curator,” said CEO and Executive Director Trudy Coxe.
About Jones
Jones was most recently the Vice President, Museum Affairs & Curator of Decorative Arts at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, a 55-acre botanical garden, art museum, and historic house in Nashville, Tenn., where she directed the Museum and Education department staff, collections, exhibitions, and associated programming.
Before joining Cheekwood, she was Curator and Director of Historical Resources & Programming for the White House Historical Association.
She was involved in the revitalization of the White House Visitor Center, which debuted in 2014.
Jones received her bachelor’s degree in the history of art and architecture from Miami University in Ohio, a master’s degree in the history of decorative arts from the Smithsonian Institution, and another master’s in the appraisal of fine and decorative art from New York University.
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