Elaine Nichols
A native of Charlotte, NC, Elaine Nichols is the Supervisory Curator of Culture at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), which opens in 2016. In addition to her administrative duties, she is responsible for helping to develop the inaugural collections of the museum.
She is the curator of the Black Fashion Museum collection founded by Lois Alexander Lane and the Ebony Fashion Fair collection created by Eunice Johnson, and she is the project curator for the Civil Rights History Project (CRHP), a public mandate of the U.S. Congress. The CRHP, a collaboration between the museum and the Library of Congress, collected oral histories of more than 130 grassroots activists, supporters, and national leaders who were involved in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s.
Prior to coming to the NMAAHC, Nichols worked at the South Carolina State Museum from 1989 until 2009. While at the museum she served as a guest curator and mounted the exhibition The Last Miles of the Way: African American Funeral and Mourning Customs in South Carolina, 1890-Present.
Ms. Nichols has a Masters of Art in Public Service Archaeology from the University of South Carolina and a Masters of Art in Social Administration and Planning from Case Western Reserve University.
Ten Things I Can’t Do Without
- Relationships with God, family, and friends
- Laughter that is so deep that it makes me cry tears of joy
- Loving kindness
- The joyfulness of children
- Great storytelling, in all forms
- Exploration of interesting food, places, and creative endeavors
- Opportunity to do research on topics that interest me
- An occasional game of Bridge, Bid Whist, Spades, or Chess
- Positive interaction with warm and fuzzy creatures: cats, dogs, rabbits, etc.
- Introspection―How Can I Be Better?
Congratulations Elaine!!
Linda from the hometown???? This note made my day.
Congratulations Elaine, I am so happy. I read your story in our MSASS brochure. All of the “Riddles” are excited for you. Your goddaughter Pam, her daughter, Janez, her three children and I will visit the NMAAHC on August 3rd. We want to see you!
Shirley Riddle. Wow! I was just reading some notes from you and Our time in school. So good to hear from you.
Congratulations, Elaine
I was changing my calendars and I saw your article. How awesome are you, this exciting and I am happy for you. Hope to read more about you later.
Deborah: Thank you so much for your feedback.
Congratulations, Elaine on all your many accomplishments! You have been on my mind, and I wish so much to re-connect with you. You may or may not remember me from UNC Charlotte. Bob wish you the best, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Rhonda:
What a delightful surprise to see the comments from you. I have been thinking of you and Bob as well. I did not see the comments until now. Yes I absolutely remember you from UNCC!
Continue to be well and give my regards to everyone.
Elaine
💜 Elaine your brilliance will forever be honored.
wishing you all the best 🤘
Thank you so much.
I have been trying to reach miss Nichol regarding the belongings of my greatgandmother Fashion fashion designer Ann Lowe. Please forward my imfo.201-820-2611
Dr. Nichols,
my name is Rev. DeMett Jenkins, Director of Education and Engagement for Faith-Based Communities in Charleston, SC. I am planning a virtual symposium on death and burial and I would love to have you as one of the panelist. I haven’t been able to locate a phone number or email for you so I thought I would try this. I can be reached at 704-965-5545 or djenkins@iaamuseum.org. I look forward to hearing back from you. Thanking you in advance.
Dear Ms. Nichols,
I have many objects of family memorabilia including Bills of Sale and Manumission papers for relatives.
How do I begin to share them with the museum?
I cannot bring them as I am 75 and handicapped but I believe the objects are worth sharing.
240-463-1783 301-598-9285
Hello,
The work you did in SC is still inspiring us.
Thank you!